As is appropriate, most of the discussion surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers this summer has centered around potential stars-in-waiting. Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons have gotten top billing, along with obligatory discussion of near-All-Star center Deandre Ayton, new small forward Deni Avdija, and lottery pick Donovan Clingan. Salt in a little Jerami Grant trade talk and you’ve probably covered 98% of Trail Blazers posts across the internet over the last four months.
Today we’re going to give the remaining 2% some shine. Portland’s roster is also populated by a bevy of scrappy, up-and-coming youngsters trying to carve out a place in the NBA with grit, hustle, defense, and all the standard underdog characteristics.