With the World Cup over two weeks ago, DNA of Sports is starting its traditional presentation, franchise by franchise, of the upcoming NBA season. Like every year, this takes the form of a countdown, from the teams expected at the bottom of the ranking to our favorite for the champion title. Today, it’s time for the Blazers who are at the heart of major turbulence.
It’s difficult to project yourself onto a team that could be completely turned upside down in the coming days since Damian Lillard has asked to leave his long-time franchise, and he would only like to join the Heat. By February, he will have packed his bags, and the trio of young Scoot Henderson – Anfernee Simons – Shaedon Sharpe constitutes the future base of this group, while Jerami Grant is one of the big winners of the summer with a contract worth 160 million dollars, very generous in view of its services.
Who will support this quartet in this reconstruction phase? Not necessarily Jusuf Nurkic since he could be included in the Lillard exchange, and it is the most total uncertainty on the face of the squad for the start of the season. A priori, the Blazers do not want Tyler Herro, offered by the Heat, and there has been talk in recent days of Deandre Ayton in an exchange with several teams.
While waiting for the situation to resolve, it is dead calm since the franchise has not recruited any free agent likely to join the rotation, and it is attacking the season with the 3rd youngest squad in the league. And that takes into account Damian Lillard’s 33 years!
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
Arrivals : Scoot Henderson, Rayan Rupert, Kris Murray, Moses Brown
Departures : Drew Eubanks (Suns), Cam Reddish (Lakers), Damian Lillard (?)
PLAYER TO WATCH: SCOOT HENDERSON
Like Victor Wembanyama at the Spurs, Scoot Henderson will be the boss of a team from his rookie season. He claims that he is the best player in his Draft and that he will be the Rookie Of The Year. We will have understood, the former leader of Team Ignite does not lack ambitions. With the planned departure of Damian Lillard, he will have the keys to the team, alongside scorer Anfernee Simons and the spectacular Shaedon Sharpe. Failing to win matches this year, this trio can set fire to the MODA Center and lay the foundations for a return to the forefront in 2 or 3 years.
For Henderson to seize the title of “franchise player”, the franchise surrounded him with former playmakers with of course Chauncey Billups as coach, but also Scott Brooks, Jason Hart and Pooh Jeter on the staff. Everything is in place for Henderson to flourish, and be the face of the franchise for years to come.
Average age: 23.9 years
Payroll: $178 million (13th)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
The ideal scenario was obviously to keep Damian Lillard and strengthen the team so that he stays… But in his head, he has already left and the divorce is complete. Consequently, the ideal is to recover two or three very good players to surround the trio of young talents that are Henderson, Simons and Sharpe. It’s up to the leaders to imitate the Nets when they recovered Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, in exchange for Kevin Durant. It’s all the harm we wish the Blazers to be able to manage post-Lillard as best as possible with long-toothed young people and vengeful veterans.
If Henderson confirms that he has the caliber of a “franchise player” through his leadership and his volume of play, and that Sharpe doubles his points average, the Blazers will not have lost everything this season, and they will be able to consider the future with serenity. Other franchises have gone through this, and we think of OKC or Utah, and the most important thing is to find the right player to ensure the transition after the departure of a superstar. Henderson has all the cards in hand to be this player.
THE WORST SCENARIO
The worst thing would be if Lillard was present when training resumed, and his managers did not find him a base before February. Both because the Blazers would deal with a player who no longer wants to be there, but also because his presence would slow down the development of Scoot Henderson.
This is undoubtedly why discussions have resumed for a few days, and not necessarily with the Heat. There is a big week left for management to transfer their star player, and thus start the season on a healthy basis. Certainly with a weakened workforce and without great ambitions, but the most important thing is to have a direction.
Precisely, speaking of cap, we wonder if Chauncey Billups is the ideal coach for a franchise in reconstruction. Perhaps the leaders should imitate the Thunder, the Grizzlies or even the Jazz by banking on a young technician with new ideas.
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