The Portland Trail Blazers will bypass a rookie-scale extension with Scoot Henderson, allowing the guard to become a restricted free agent next summer, as first reported by Chris Haynes.
The 22-year-old is entering his fourth NBA season with the Trail Blazers after being selected with the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
The deadline for all rookie-scale extensions was set for 6 p.m. ET on October 19, with the Charlotte Hornets and Brandon Miller barely beating the clock to finalize a five-year, $209 million deal.
Miller was selected second overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, just one pick ahead of Henderson.
Henderson will be one of 23 players, and the only top-five pick, selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft to enter the season without a rookie-scale extension.
Henderson showed signs of growth last season upon returning from a hamstring injury, averaging 14.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 41.8% from the field and 35.2% from three-point range.
Several factors may have kept Henderson from securing an extension, including his health, as he has played just 158 of a possible 246 regular-season games in his career.
The addition of Ja Morant and Damian Lillard to the backcourt rotation will be another concept to navigate for Henderson this season as he looks to display his talents not only to Portland but to potential suitors around the league.
Henderson will have his first opportunity to showcase his talent on October 21, when the Trail Blazers open their 2026-27 NBA campaign against the Phoenix Suns at Moda Center.
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