It will be an exciting 2026-27 season ahead for the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the roster in the offseason, Portland’s future looks promising. Scoot Henderson‘s impact could be a big deal for the team, as he is in a prime position to become the Blazers’ x-factor.
Scoot Henderson Could Be The Blazers’ X-Factor Next Season
The biggest story for the Trail Blazers in the 2026-27 season is the return of an all-timer, Damian Lillard. Since he is the franchise’s best point guard, it seems he will be the starting point guard after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season recovering from his torn Achilles tendon.
Now, the Blazers still don’t know who his backcourt partner will be. Jrue Holiday seems to be the popular choice because he has the right combination of size, skill, defense, and feel for the game. Beyond the older guards, the Blazers still have Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe as viable options. However, it seems Henderson has the momentum after his 2026 Playoffs.
Henderson’s Impact Could Give Him A Bigger Role
Henderson missed the first 51 games of the 2025-26 season because of a torn hamstring he suffered before training camp started. It was a heartbreaking development for Henderson because he seemed primed to have a big 2025-26 campaign.
Unfortunately, he only started playing in February, so he had to get up to speed first before even standing out. In the 30 games he played, he averaged 14.2 points and 3.7 assists per game.
He got the starting nod alongside Holiday late in the season, and he kept that backcourt spot through the Play-In Tournament and the Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs.
SCOOT HENDERSON TONIGHT:
31 POINTS
11/17 FG
5/9 3PTIS HE FINALLY PUTTING IT TOGETHER? 👀 pic.twitter.com/LCuw252k54
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 22, 2026
In the five-game postseason series against the Spurs, Henderson was superb. He might have averaged 15 points per game at the surface, but he played much better than that while coming out even hungrier to improve. He was bad in Games 4 and 5, but before that, he was averaging 23.3 points per game in the first three matchups.
His Game 2 performance resonated with the NBA world, as he scored 31 points on 11-of-17 from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. It showed that when he is locked in, Henderson’s impact could be one of the Blazers’ x-factor players, especially if Lillard returns to being a superstar again.
Portland’s Future Is Safe If Henderson Keeps Developing
The Blazers need more promising young players who can have a surefire future. Sharpe is one player whom the Blazers have committed to with a long-term contract. However, that contract also makes him a tradeable asset, so he is more likely to leave than Henderson.
Across the roster, they have three tried-and-true point guards with Lillard, Holiday, and Henderson. Since the first two are older players, Henderson sticking with the Blazers could mean that he is still the long-term answer at point guard.
I am so fascinated by Portland's point guard situationship
– Jrue Holiday: 36 yo 2027 PO
– Scoot Henderson: extension eligible
– Damian Lillard: 36 yo post-Achilles NTCDeni Avdija/Shaedon Sharpe: not point guards but both need ball and Avdija played like Sharpe's extension $$$
— Law Murray 💊 (@LawMurrayTheNU) April 29, 2026
Portland’s future relies on how they build on the first-round exit in the 2026 postseason. They might have lost head coach Tiago Splitter to Chicago, but the players and culture are still there. Henderson could be crucial to that because he is young, talented, and hungry.
If he continues breaking out as one of Portland’s stars, Henderson could have a long-term role for the Blazers. He might need to sit on the bench for a bit, but it still seems he’s destined for a significant role in Portland if he keeps grinding it out in the Pacific Northwest.
Henderson Is Good Enough To Be The Blazers’ X-Factor
No matter what happens in the backcourt for Portland, it seems Henderson could play a big role. He has shown flashes of being a good scorer, especially in Game 2 against the Spurs. Scoot is mostly known for his explosive athleticism, but he has shown a decent ceiling for his jump shot.
Everyone in Portland knows he is already a good playmaker, so he can be a solid point guard. If he puts it all together, he has a dangerous skill set that could make him fulfill his pre-NBA Draft hype.
It seems he is ready to prove his doubters wrong, which makes him a dangerous matchup. He is not only promising on offense, but he could be a superb defender. With his physical traits and Holiday’s mentorship, Henderson could end up being the best guard defender in Portland.
With a diverse skill set, it is hard to go against Henderson’s argument to be a key player. He can be the Blazers’ x-factor, as they seek out the best coach for the long-term future they’re building under new owner Tom Dundon.
Featured Image: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
