No Deal for Scoot, and Dame Gets Real
Henderson heads to restricted free agency, Lillard opens up to Andscape, and Portland braces for Wednesday's opener.
No extension for Scoot
The clock ran out Monday and Scoot Henderson walked away without a rookie-scale extension. Chris Haynes reported it first and The Oregonian confirmed it. Henderson is now headed for restricted free agency next summer.
KGW points out he's the only top-five pick from the 2023 class still without a deal. The rest of that group already got paid: Victor Wembanyama got five years and $252 million, Brandon Miller five and $209 million, Amen Thompson five and $208 million, and Ausar Thompson five and $155 million.
Dame gets real
Damian Lillard sat down with Marc J. Spears of Andscape and didn't hold back. Getting hurt and waived by Milwaukee was "the darkest day," he said. Retirement crossed his mind "for a split second," because of his kids.
He also defended Ja Morant: "A lot of people have him wrong... he's a solid dude."
The body is cooperating. Lillard said he came out of all three preseason games feeling fresh. Blazer's Edge has him at 17.3 points in 22.7 minutes, shooting 8-of-21 from three. "I'm not an old man," he said.
Wednesday is Lillard's first regular-season home game as a Blazer since March 17, 2023. He's 624 points away from becoming the first Blazer ever to reach 20,000.
Rotation, rebounding, injuries
Micah Nori is sticking with a 10-man rotation. Robert Williams III put the priority bluntly: "We need to f—ing rebound." He has a point. Portland ranked 17th on the defensive glass last season.
ESPN's injury report lists Shaedon Sharpe OUT with a knee injury. Jrue Holiday (hand), Chris Youngblood (calf) and Micah Potter (illness) are day-to-day.
The relocation rumor
Rumor The Athletic, citing anonymous sources, reports that Tom Dundon privately raised the idea of relocation. Dundon denies it. "We are working to keep the team in Portland," he said.
Suns at Moda Center, Wednesday, 7 p.m. PT. Portland is favored by 3.5. Rip City, get loud.
Sources: Chris Haynes; The Oregonian; KGW; Marc J. Spears, Andscape; Blazer's Edge; ESPN; The Athletic. Rotation, rebounding and defensive-glass notes are from Oct. 20 reporting.