"Dylan Harper the new franchise piece": Blazers fans bet on top-3 prospect to lead the team over Scoot Henderson amid another tough season

The Portland Trail Blazers selected Scoot Henderson with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, hoping he would lead the franchise into a new era. However, the results have been unimpressive.

In his second year in Portland, Henderson is averaging 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists, and has yet to start a game. After his two-point showing in 19 minutes of play during Portland's 116-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday, fans began to question his future with the team.

That's why, after watching Rutgers senior Dylan Harper wreak havoc with the Scarlet Knights this season, Blazers fans on X urged the team to go after Harper, who's a top-3 draft prospect, and move on from Henderson:

"So over. Dylan Harper the new franchise piece #soon," a Blazers fan said.

Get rid of all of them and take Dylan harper," one fan added.

A barrage of similar comments followed.

"Keep him as a bench piece (Henderson) unless theres a great offer but dylan harper needs to be the focus if we dont land (Cooper) flagg," a Blazers fan echoed.

"Please bring me Dylan Harper and get scoot and ant out of my franchise PLEASE," another fan wrote.

At the same time, some fans defended Henderson.

"He's only 20! He only looks bad because the NBA talent is just head and shoulder above where he's at," a fan said.

"The only excuse age has for Scoot right now is not being consistent and being THAT guy yet. Outside of that, his ability to play should be translating a ton more for his draft place and what Portland did to take him," another fan wrote.

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NBA insider on Scoot Henderson's future with the Blazers

Scoot Henderson has struggled to find his rhythm. He's averaging roughly 10 points per game, shooting 40% from the floor and 27% from three this year, after finishing his last campaign with 14.0 points, 38.5% shooting and 32.5% from beyond the arc.

According to Jason Quick of The Athletic on Friday:

"It’s becoming more clear that Scoot Henderson likely isn’t the 'transcendent talent' GM Joe Cronin thought when he took the point guard No. 3 in 2023. Now, the next question becomes whether Henderson is even the point guard of the future for the Blazers. Figuring out the answer should be at the top of Portland’s to-do list.

"Although Henderson is averaging 26 minutes per game, having him come off the bench while Anfernee Simons plays 30 minutes seems counterproductive. Bump up Henderson’s playing time, pair him with clear-cut long-term pieces Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija and see whether he is indeed the right player to be heading this rebuild."

The Blazers are 8-18 and projected to have the No. 7 pick in the 2025 draft, which would put them out of reach to get Harper. Regardless of whether they get the top prospect, it is not looking good for Scoot Henderson in Portland.