The Portland Path Blazers are going to look totally different subsequent season in a number of methods.
They’re bringing again a franchise icon, Damian Lillard, however that isn’t the top to their modifications.
Chatting with the press, head coach Chauncey Billups stated that he expects extra from two of the group’s most distinguished gamers: Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
2025-26 could possibly be the 12 months once they each take an enormous leap ahead, Billups stated.
“I need to see Scoot and Shaedon take a step this 12 months. I coach these guys very onerous, however it’s all the time totally different if you’re getting that mentorship from a man who’s carrying that jersey,” Billups stated, through Sean Highkin.
Chauncey Billups: “I need to see Scoot and Shaedon take a step this 12 months. I coach these guys very onerous, however it’s all the time totally different if you’re getting that mentorship from a man who’s carrying that jersey.”
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 22, 2025
Final season, his second within the league, Henderson averaged 12.7 factors, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 41.9 p.c from the sector.
In the meantime, Sharpe was good for 18.5 factors, 4.5 rebounds, and a couple of.8 assists on a discipline objective share of 45.2.
These are good numbers from each of them, however Billups needs extra, and he believes Lillard will play a component of their growth.
At this level in his profession, Lillard would be the group’s distinguished flooring common and likewise a player-coach.
He’ll impart a ton of knowledge into the younger squad and use his years of expertise to assist all of them push ahead and attain their subsequent stage.
Relying on his well being, Lillard might not have the ability to play as a lot as he needs in 2025-26.
That’s much more cause why Henderson and Sharpe must dig deep and step up.
The group will want them, despite the fact that Lillard has returned.
Billups has perception in these two, and he is aware of they may evolve in some groundbreaking methods now that they’ve among the best level guards on the earth beside them.
NEXT: Chauncey Billups Reveals Damian Lillard’s Function Subsequent Season