The Portland Trail Blazers and Scoot Henderson will not agree to a rookie-scale contract extension before Monday’s deadline, setting up the guard to become a restricted free agent after the 2026-27 season.
Chris Haynes reported the development on Monday, October 19, citing league sources. “The deadline will pass with Scoot Henderson — No. 3 pick in 2023 NBA Draft — and the Portland Trail Blazers bypassing on a rookie-scale extension,” Haynes wrote. “He’ll become an RFA following the season.”
Restricted free agency would give Portland the opportunity to retain Henderson by matching a qualifying offer from another team, subject to the applicable free-agency rules. The lack of an extension does not mean the Trail Blazers have decided to move on from the 22-year-old guard.
Henderson has averaged 13.5 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 158 regular-season appearances across his first three NBA seasons. He has shot 40.4% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range.
In 2025-26, Henderson averaged 14.2 points, 3.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 30 games, shooting 41.8% overall and 35.2% from beyond the arc. He appeared in fewer games than in either of his first two seasons, when he played 62 and 66 contests, respectively.
Portland’s changing backcourt adds another dimension to Henderson’s contract situation. The Trail Blazers acquired Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies on June 29, sending Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis and receiving $1 million in cash as part of the deal.
MORE FOR YOU
Morant joins Damian Lillard, Shaedon Sharpe, Jrue Holiday and Henderson in a backcourt rotation that new head coach Micah Nori must organize. The move gives Portland another high-profile ball-handler while leaving Henderson’s long-term role to be determined.
Henderson’s next season will give Portland another opportunity to assess his development before he reaches restricted free agency in 2027.
