Scoot Henderson is a high-priority extension candidate for the Portland Trail Blazers, and the rookie-scale window closes Monday, Oct. 19, at 5 p.m. Central.

GM Joe Cronin says there has been “dialogue and seemingly mutual interest” on a deal, but he admits the talks are tricky for a high-variance young guard.

Cronin called Henderson “definitely a high-priority player” and said he would love to keep him long term, though he would not be overly worried if talks slip to next summer.

The No. 3 pick in 2023 is leaving the negotiations to his agent, Rich Paul, and says he wants to stay in Portland.

Henderson averaged 14.2 points and 3.7 assists in a season cut short by a hamstring tear, then scored 70 points over the first three games of the playoff series with San Antonio.

Cap analysts have floated mid-teen annual starts, well below Brandin Podziemski’s five-year, $110 million deal with Golden State.

No deal by Oct. 19 sends Henderson toward restricted free agency in 2027, with a crowded, costly Portland backcourt already on the books.

Scoot Henderson in 2024. File photo: Frenchieinportland / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0. Resized.

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