{"id":718487,"date":"2026-04-26T10:30:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T10:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/718487\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T10:30:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T10:30:31","slug":"scoot-hendersons-breakout-makes-hornets-draft-decision-harder-to-explain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/718487\/","title":{"rendered":"Scoot Henderson\u2019s breakout makes Hornets\u2019 draft decision harder to explain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scoot Henderson\u2019s breakout couldn\u2019t have come at a better moment for the Portland Trail Blazers, who stole Game 2 on the road against the San Antonio Spurs. And if Henderson keeps elevating his play and pushes Portland into the Western Conference Semifinals, it\u2019s fair to wonder whether a hint of regret might start creeping<\/a> into the Charlotte Hornets\u2019 front office for choosing Brandon Miller instead.<\/p>\n

Heading into the 2023 NBA Draft, Henderson was widely viewed as the second\u2011best prospect behind Victor Wembanyama. But Charlotte prioritized fit over upside, opting for Miller rather than pairing Henderson with LaMelo Ball\u2014a combination that didn\u2019t seem ideal at the time.<\/p>\n

Years later, the decision still feels unsettled. With the Hornets once again on the outside looking in at the postseason, the question lingers: what if?<\/p>\n

Scoot Henderson leads Portland to a crucial Game 2 win<\/p>\n

With Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama sidelined by a concussion, the Trail Blazers seized the opportunity. Henderson, in particular, took command, dropping a game\u2011high 31 points on 11\u2011of\u201117 shooting, including 5\u2011of\u20119 from three. It was an efficient, poised performance from a young guard who missed more than half the season due to injury.<\/p>\n

Delivering like this on the road, in the playoffs, under pressure, is exactly the kind of moment that validates the pick for the player. And for what it\u2019s worth, Miller hasn\u2019t produced this kind of high\u2011stakes statement game. While Miller didn\u2019t necessarily play poorly, he didn\u2019t rise to the occasion against the Magic.<\/p>\n

The emerging storyline of this series might simply be Scoot\u2019s arrival. He looks dynamic, confident, and every bit the prospect many believed he was on draft night.<\/a> Miller, meanwhile, hasn\u2019t matched that level\u2026yet. Henderson is reminding everyone why he was considered a top\u2011tier talent, and why Portland is thrilled to have him.<\/p>\n

Brandon Miller still gets the benefit of the doubt, but\u2026<\/p>\n

None of this is meant as an indictment of Brandon Miller. He\u2019s been a legitimately good player this season despite dealing with a shoulder wrap and a development curve that\u2019s been disrupted more than once.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Averaging 20 points per game while posting the best efficiency numbers of his young career is no small feat. He\u2019s hit big shots, delivered in pressure moments, and probably owns the best dunk reel on the roster.<\/p>\n

Miller has shown enough to justify a sizable rookie extension<\/a>. The real question is whether he\u2019s shown enough to justify a maximum one. It\u2019s difficult to make a definitive evaluation when he still hasn\u2019t had a single fully healthy offseason to build on.<\/p>\n

At the same time, small\u2011market teams don\u2019t have the luxury of waiting around. When you have a potential cornerstone, you pay him. That\u2019s why extending Miller remains one of Charlotte\u2019s top priorities this summer.<\/p>\n

A fully healthy offseason with no lingering setbacks could be transformative for him. This is where players can make their biggest developmental leaps. And while hindsight is always 20\/20, the Hornets still finished with 44 wins. There\u2019s no reason for the franchise to feel remorse about the pick.<\/p>\n

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