The Portland Trail Blazers’ offseason has seen its share of turmoil to this point.
But the next 10 days could provide a bit of a reprieve with summer league action set to begin Friday in Las Vegas.
The Blazers will enter the 11-day session as defending champions with a solid shot to repeat, provided that rookie Scoot Henderson and second-year guard Shaedon Sharpe see extensive action.
“I can’t wait to officially get on the floor with him,” Sharpe said. “I think we will have a lot of fun. Both great players. I think we can lead this team to another chip for summer league.”
Coaching the team will be Blazers assistant Jonah Herscu, who has the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of Blazers assistant Steve Hetzel, last year’s summer league championship coach.
The pressure to repeat is undoubtedly unbearable, Herscu was asked in a joking manner following a practice.
“Steve Hetzel did a hell of a job last year,” Herscu said with a smile. “I’ve got very big shoes to fill.”
All joking aside, the Blazers certainly hope to contend but summer league is mainly about player development. And with Damian Lillard likely to be traded this summer, Sharpe and Henderson have a chance to take center stage as faces of the franchise.
“We obviously want to compete and do a good job, but this is really about instilling our daily habits from today on through,” Herscu said. “And then by the time we get to Vegas, just compete one game at a time and see what happens.”
How well the Blazers do could hinge on how many games Henderson and Sharpe play.
Rookie guard Scoot Henderson as the Portland Trail Blazers hold summer league practice at the team’s practice facility in Tualatin, Oregon on Saturday, July 1, 2023.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Sharpe, who turned 20 on Saturday, said he expected to play at least a couple of games.
“I hope to play every game,” Sharpe said. “We’re not sure yet.”
Sharpe, who played in only a few minutes of the first game last year before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of summer league, will have a chance to flex his leadership abilities in Las Vegas.
“I’ve gone through this one time,” Sharpe said. “I kind of know what’s going on.
Henderson also wants to play the entire session but wasn’t sure how much he would actually play.
“I hope we win that junk,” he said. “That’s what I’m going there for. To compete with everybody … I’m ready to go out and compete with the guys and just get that feeling of winning.”
The Blazers will play at least five games in a format that rewards the top four teams with playoff berths.
Only two teams will play a sixth game, which would be for the title.
“That ring, it looked really nice on my finger,” forward Jabari Walker said regarding last year’s championship. “So, if I get two of them, it’s going to make this right hand a little less empty. I’m going to be able to show off both.”
The Blazers first game will be 4 p.m., Friday against Houston.
BLAZERS SUMMER LEAGUE SCHEDULE
Friday, July 7: 4 p.m., at Houston, Thomas & Mack Center (ESPN)
Sunday, July 9: 5 p.m., vs. San Antonio, Thomas & Mack Center (ESPN2)
Tuesday, July 11: 5:30 p.m., at Charlotte, Thomas & Mack Center (NBATV)
Friday, July 14: 6 p.m., at Orlando, Thomas & Mack Center (ESPN2).
(Playoffs will be held July 16 with the championship on July 17.
BLAZERS ROSTER
Scoot Henderson, guard
Shaedon Sharpe, guard
Kris Murray, forward
Rayan Rupert, guard
Jabari Walker, forward
Ibou Badji, center
John Butler Jr., forward
Keon Johnson, guard
Jaizec Lottie, guard
Malachi Smith, guard
Nate Williams, guard/forward
Michael DeVoe, guard
Duop Reath, center
Antoine Davis, guard
Justin Minaya, forward
Christ Koumadje, center
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook). Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts