Blazing Through The West?

The Trailblazers finally shipped Damian Lillard out east to pair him up with Giannis Antetokounmpo. In return, after flipping Jrue Holiday, the Blazers received Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, Toumani Camara and a handful of draft picks. While Boston and Milwaukee are rightfully title favorites (both tied at +380), Portland is now positioned to be successful in the future. But how far off is that success? The new-look Blazers might be a scrappy, energetic bunch that could make a playoff push this season.

Scoot Henderson will be the lead man for the Trailblazers this year, and fortunately, he will not have to compete for that spot against a future Hall of Famer. The explosive guard showed NBA scouts and fans last year in the G-League why he might be a wrecking ball in the NBA. At just 6'2", Henderson has an NBA-ready body and nuclear athleticism. His long arms make him a dangerous rim attacker when he has an open lane. Couple this rim pressure with his flashes of shot-making and playmaking, and Scoot could be one of the league's most dynamic guards from the jump.

Portland will pair Henderson with Anfernee Simons (37%/9 3PA) and Shaedon Sharpe (36%/3.5 3PA), who can knock down threes and fly through the air themselves. The versatile Jerami Grant will most likely be slotted at the four (40%/6 3PA), and Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams will be tasked with anchoring the defense. Malcolm Brogdon's steady hand off the bench (if he isn't traded) and All-Defensive talent Matisse Thybulle, should provide Portland with the necessary depth to stay competitive in games. To me, all of this is a recipe for a physical defense and an uptick in pace (Portland ranked 18/30 in 2023). The Trailblazers should aim to use their athleticism on both ends of the floor bothering offenses with their length and physicality to only turn around and beat them in a sprint toward the goal.

The Blazers should have the shooting, slashing and defense to create problems for teams in the regular season. If they make the playoffs, a young, hungry Trailblazers team led by Scoot Henderson will not bow out so easily.