NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Blazers jump into top 3; Mavs find Luka Doncic some help

2. Portland Trail Blazers – Scoot Henderson, G, G League Ignite

By landing the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, I believe that there’s at least an outside chance that the Portland Trail Blazers could break chalk. However, in the end, I believe that the Blazers would understand the writing that is on the wall – no matter who they take with the second pick, it’s unlikely that player is going to raise this team to contender status in the Western Conference.

And because of that truth, it would be in the best interest of the Blazers to begin preparing for life after Damian Lillard. Whether that happens this offseason or next, I would be extremely surprised if Lillard was on the team still in two years. It should happen this season, but it’s impossible to predict at this point.

Nevertheless, in preparing for what’s next for the Blazers, drafting Scoot Henderson with the second pick would be an excellent decision. He has the face of the franchise potential and is still growing as a prospect. Henderson would go a long way in preparing this organization for the next phase of Blazers basketball. And even calm some of the fear of moving on from Lillard.