Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has stunned fans by benching $160 million forward Jerami Grant for the 2025-26 season opener. The bold move signals Portland’s commitment to developing young talent like Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan.

Billups revealed a starting lineup featuring Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Clingan, despite Grant’s prior insistence he wouldn’t accept a bench role. This strategic shakeup comes after Grant’s defensive struggles last season (-3.7 net rating) and Henderson’s promising preseason as sixth man.

Chauncey Billups’ Bold Move: Breaking Down Jerami Grant’s Benching and Scoot Henderson’s Crucial Role in Trail Blazers’ 2025 Season Strategy

Billups’ Shock Decision: Jerami Grant Benched for Youth Movement

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has made a seismic shift in team strategy by benching veteran forward Jerami Grant for the 2025-26 season opener. The new starting lineup features Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and rookie Donovan Clingan – marking the franchise’s clearest commitment yet to developing young talent.

The decision comes despite Grant’s $160 million contract and his 21.4 points per game average last season. Advanced metrics reveal why Billups made this tough call: Portland’s defense allowed 118.3 points per 100 possessions with Grant on the floor (-3.7 net rating), while the new starting unit posted a +12.3 net rating during preseason.

This isn’t just about basketball metrics – it’s cultural reset. Billups is establishing that contract size won’t guarantee minutes in this rebuild. The locker room needed this shock therapy after last season’s defensive struggles.

Key Factors in Grant’s Demotion

• Defensive rating ranked in bottom 15% among power forwards
• 23.7% usage rate disrupted team ball movement
• Younger players showing better fit in motion offense

Scoot Henderson’s Sixth Man Role: Genius or Missed Opportunity?

The second-year guard, who started 62 games as a rookie, will now anchor Portland’s bench unit. Henderson’s preseason showed flashes (14.7 PPG, 5.3 APG) but concerning shooting consistency (29% from three). His pairing with Grant could form one of the NBA’s most explosive bench duos.

Billups emphasized that Henderson remains central to Portland’s plans: “We’re not viewing this as a demotion, but as a chance for Scoot to dominate against second units while learning from Jrue.” The coaching staff believes this role will ease pressure on Henderson to facilitate while allowing his athleticism to shine.

History shows lead guards often benefit from sixth-man stints early in careers – see Gilbert Arenas or James Harden. The key is whether Scoot embraces the role rather than viewing it as a setback.

Potential Bench Combinations

Donovan Clingan’s Rapid Rise to Starting Center

The 7’2″ rookie has exceeded expectations, earning the starting nod through dominant preseason rim protection (2.8 blocks per 36 minutes) and elite screening. His defensive IQ allows Portland to employ more aggressive switching schemes – something Robert Williams struggled with last season.

Clingan’s pre-draft concerns about mobility have been alleviated by his surprising fluidity in space. The UConn product has shown advanced passing reads for a big man, crucial for Billups’ motion offense. With Clingan anchoring the defense, Portland projects to improve from last season’s 24th-ranked unit.

Modern NBA centers need to defend in space AND protect the rim – only 11 players did both last season. Clingan’s early signs suggest he could join that elite group faster than anticipated.

Rookie Center Comparison (Preseason)

• Clingan: 2.3 BPG, 68.2% FG, +9.1 net rating
• Alex Sarr: 1.8 BPG, 54.1% FG, +3.4 net rating
• Zach Edey: 1.5 BPG, 62.3% FG, -2.1 net rating

Portland’s Rebuild Blueprint: Following the Grizzlies Model?

The Blazers’ strategy bears striking resemblance to Memphis’ successful 2021 rebuild: prioritizing defensive anchors (Clingan/JJJ), two-way wings (Camara/Brooks), and sixth-man firepower (Henderson/Bane). The model relies on Sharpe making a star leap similar to Ja Morant’s third-year explosion.

Portland’s front office has accumulated assets wisely – they hold all future first-round picks plus a 2027 Milwaukee pick. Unlike Memphis, they added veteran stabilizers like Holiday to mentor youngsters. The key variable remains whether Sharpe can develop into a true alpha scorer rather than just an elite role player.

Memphis had the luxury of developing in small-market obscurity. Portland’s impatient fanbase and Damian Lillard’s ghost add pressure these young Blazers must overcome to replicate that success.

Critical Development Timelines

Jerami Grant’s Future: Trade Scenarios and Contender Fits

Despite the benching, Grant remains one of basketball’s most versatile scorers – a 6’8″ forward who can create his own shot and defend multiple positions. His $32 million annual salary complicates trades, but several contenders could make compelling offers.

Miami’s need for frontcourt scoring makes them logical partners, potentially offering Tyler Herro and picks. Philadelphia could dangle Tobias Harris’ expiring contract, while Dallas might package Tim Hardaway Jr. with young assets. Portland’s asking price will likely be at least one unprotected first-round pick given Grant’s production.

The Blazers’ leverage depends on Grant’s bench performance. If he embraces the role and thrives, they might keep him as a luxury scorer. But any sulking could force a trade at diminished value.

Trade Destination Rankings

1. Miami Heat (A: Need, Assets)
2. Philadelphia 76ers (B+: Fit, Cap Space)
3. Sacramento Kings (B: Three-team potential)
4. Dallas Mavericks (B-: Need but limited assets)

Billups’ Make-or-Break Season: Can He Develop Young Talent?

After four losing seasons (.382 win percentage), Billups enters 2025-26 with immense pressure to show developmental progress. His extension through 2026 provides some security, but another bottom-five finish could prompt ownership to reconsider.

The former Finals MVP has shown strengths in player relationships but faced criticism for offensive stagnation. This season represents his purest coaching test yet – molding raw talent into cohesive units. Benchmark milestones include Henderson’s playmaking growth, Sharpe’s efficiency leap, and establishing a top-15 defense.

Coaching young teams requires different skills than managing veterans. Billups’ ability to teach without losing the locker room will define this season more than any X’s and O’s adjustment.

Coach Development Report Card

• Player Relationships: A-
• Offensive System: C+
• Defensive Schemes: B
• Rotation Management: B-
• Timeout Usage: C