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Portland Trail Blazers: 4 undrafted players worth signing

By Austin Carroll

2019 NBA Mock Draft Jontay Porter Missouri Tigers (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
2019 NBA Mock Draft Jontay Porter Missouri Tigers (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers dribbles the ball against Victor Bailey Jr. #10 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers dribbles the ball against Victor Bailey Jr. #10 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 22, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

4

ethan happ PF, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Badgers Basketball
Wisconsin Badgers Basketball /

Scouting Report

Ethan Happ is one of those players who does a lot that won’t ever show up in the box score. For that reason, it’s understandable why many teams glossed over him. In addition to being a four-year senior, NBA teams opted to take long-term projects that could become something special if given a few years.

However, the Portland Trail Blazers don’t have a few years to waste carelessly. Their window of title contention is open now. As the Toronto Raptors clearly proved in this year’s NBA Finals, productive bench pieces are vital to a successful playoff run.

At Wisconsin, Happ was the engine that made the team run. No – actually he was the whole car. Happ led the team in points (17.3), rebounds (10.1), assists (4.5) and steals (1.1) per game. He was a finalist for the Wooden Award, a consensus All-American and a three-time All-Big Ten member.

Happ’s not-so-sexy style of play and projected low ceiling probably turned off many teams looking to win big on a project player. However, Happ’s proven he can consistently contribute on the biggest stage.

Next. Grading the Trail Blazers 2019 NBA Draft. dark

His high basketball IQ and dependable play on the boards and in the low post would be an invaluable asset to add to the Portland Trail Blazers frontcourt rotation.