For the first time in Damian Lillard's 11-year NBA career, there are questions about whether he wants to remain with the Trail Blazers.
The All-Star guard has been the subject of trade rumors for several seasons, but he has never expressed an interest in leaving Portland. That could change this offseason if Lillard wants to play with more established talent on a contender.
Even despite that possibility, Scoot Henderson is hoping that Lillard remains in Portland. The 6-2 point guard who the Trail Blazers selected No. 3 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft was asked about teaming up with Lillard and expressed excitement about it.
"I'm hoping to get to play with Dame, for sure," he said at the 2023 NBA Draft, per ESPN. "Special talent, special guard. One of my favorites to watch, especially film-wise. Just to pick out how he moves off the court, as well. Yeah, it would be cool to play with him."
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It's not a surprise that Henderson is hoping to play with Lillard. The veteran guard is a great shooter and high-level distributor that Henderson should be able to learn from in the early stages of his career.
Sure, the fit of the two together could be a bit clunky, as Henderson fits the mold of a traditional point guard, the role that Lillard occupies. Still, if Lillard stays with the Trail Blazers, the parties will find a way to coexist effectively, much like Lillard and the undersized Anfernee Simons have.
Either way, Henderson was happy to land in Portland. And he isn't upset that the Hornets eschewed him at No. 2 overall in favor of Brandon Miller.
"I'm glad to see Brandon go there. I'm pretty sure it's a great fit for him," Henderson said of Charlotte's selection. " That's how I move. I move with love. I'm not mad that I didn't go 2 or I didn't go 1. I'm blessed to go 3, and to be here with my family with me."
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Soon, we'll see how Henderson fares in Portland — and whether Lillard decides to stay there too amid the team's youth movement.