The Trail Blazers first participated in the 1970 NBA draft on March 23, before their inaugural NBA season. Before each draft, an NBA draft lottery determines the first round selection order for the teams that missed the playoffs during the prior season.[3] Teams can also trade their picks, which means that teams may have more or less than two picks in some drafts, although they must have at least one first-round pick every other year.[4] Until 1968, there were a total of 21 rounds in the draft. The number of rounds shrank gradually over the following years, until 1989 when the current format began.[5] The first pick in the Trail Blazers' history was Geoff Petrie, a guard from Princeton University who was selected 8th overall in 1970. Petrie played for the Blazers for his entire career, playing from 1970–1976. He was a 2x NBA All-Star and was named co-rookie of the year with Dave Cowens of the Boston Celtics in 1971. Petrie averaged 21.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 446 games.[6][7]
Martin spent his entire career in Portland, playing from 1972 to 1976, and averaged 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 271 games.[10] Walton played for the Blazers from 1974–1979, helping lead the team to the only championship in franchise history in 1977. The team defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4–2 and Walton was named as the Finals MVP after averaging 18.5 points, 19.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.7 blocks during the series.[11] Walton went on to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award the following season.[12] Other accomplishments Walton achieved while in Portland are being a 2x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team, including First Team in 1978, and 2x All-Defensive First Team. He also led the league in rebounding (14.37 per game) and blocks (3.5 per game) in 1977.[12] In his Blazers career, Walton averaged 17.1 points, a franchise record 13.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and a franchise co-leader 2.6 blocks in 209 games.[13][14] Thompson played in Portland from 1978–1986, where he was named NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1979. He averaged 16.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 551 games.[15] He is the franchise leader for total blocks (768) and second in defensive rebounds (3,389).[14] Oden had a lot of hype coming out of Ohio State, with a strong debate over who the Blazers should choose between him and Kevin Durant.[16][17][18] Oden was in Portland from 2007–2012, only playing in 82 games total due to an injury riddled career that began before he could even play an NBA game, as he had season-ending microfracture surgery before his rookie season began.[19][20] Oden averaged 9.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game.[19]
Rookies of the year
Portland has had four players named Rookie of the Year, three of whom were drafted by the team: Petrie, Sidney Wicks, and Lillard.[21] Wicks was drafted 2nd overall in 1971. He played with the team from 1971 to 1976, where he was a 4x All-Star. He averaged the most minutes played per game (38.8) in franchise history, as well as the second most rebounds per game (10.3), and he is tied for the second most triple-doubles (7). Wicks averaged 22.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 398 games.[22]
Franchise stat leaders
Clyde Drexler is one of the most accomplished players in franchise history. The Blazers drafted Drexler #14 overall in 1983 out of Houston. Drexler was an eight time All-Star in Portland, while also being named to an All-NBA Team four times, including First Team in 1992.[23] Drexler scored 18,040 points, which ranks second in franchise history, only behind Damian Lillard. He is the franchise leader for games played (867), minutes played (29,496), two-point field goals made (6,425), total field goals (6,889), offensive rebounds (2,227), steals (1,795), steals per game (2.1), and triple doubles (18). Along with points, Drexler is second for free throws made (3,798) and total rebounds (5,339).[14] As a Blazer, Drexler averaged 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.1 steals in 867 games.[23]
Lillard was drafted 6th overall in 2012 after a trade deadline deal with the New Jersey Nets the previous March.[24][25] Lillard became just the fourth player to unanimously win the Rookie of the Year Award.[26] He was a 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, including First Team in 2018, NBA Three-Point Contest Champion in 2023, and NBA Teammate of the Year in 2021.[27] Lillard became the team's all-time scoring leader on December 19, 2022, passing Drexler.[28] Later that season, Lillard broke his own franchise record for points in a game, scoring 71 points and making 13 three pointers in a 131–114 victory over the Houston Rockets. At the age of 32, Lillard became the oldest player in NBA history to score 70 points in a game, and the only player age 30 or older to accomplish the feat.[29] Along with being the franchise scoring leader, Lillard is also the record holder for points per game (25.2), free throw percentage (.895), three point field goals (2,387), and made free throws (4,427). He is second for minutes played (27,942), field goals made (6,281), and assists (5,151).[14] Lillard averaged the aforementioned franchise high 25.2 points, along with 4.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 3.1 three pointers made in 769 games.[27]
NBA anniversary teams and Olympians
Walton and Drexler were both named to the NBA 50th and 75thanniversary teams in 1996 and 2021 respectively, while Lillard was named to the 75th anniversary team.[30][31] During their time with the Blazers, both Drexler and Lillard won Olympic gold medals. Drexler won at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona as a member of the Dream Team, and Lillard won at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[32][33]Arvydas Sabonis won one gold and two bronze medals, winning one of the bronzes as a member of the Blazers while representing Lithuania in 1996 in Atlanta.[34]
Retired numbers
Nine draft picks have had their number retired by the Blazers, most of whom were part of the 1977 championship team: Dave Twardzik (#13), Lionel Hollins (#14), Larry Steele (#15), Drexler (#22), Bob Gross (#30), Terry Porter (#30), Walton (#32), Lloyd Neal (#36), and Petrie (#45).[35] Twardzik was drafted 20th overall in 1972, but played for the Virginia Squires of the American Basketball Association (ABA) before he joined the Blazers. He played with the team from 1976–1980 and was part of the championship team in 1977. He averaged 9.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 280 games.[36] Hollins was drafted 6th overall in 1975 and played in Portland from 1975–1980, winning the championship with the team. He was an All-Star once and a member of the NBA All-Defensive Team twice, including First Team in 1978. Hollins averaged 13.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.9 steals in 315 games.[37] Steele was another member of the championship team after being drafted 31st overall in 1971, playing from 1971–1979. He led the NBA in steals in 1974, playing in a total of 610 games, averaging 8.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 assists.[38] Gross was drafted 25th overall in the 1975 NBA draft and played for Portland from 1975–1982. He was a member of the championship team and part of the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1978. He averaged 9.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in 486 games.[39] Porter was drafted 24th overall in the 1985 NBA draft and was a 2x All-Star. He played for the Blazers from 1985–1995. He is the franchise leader for total assists (5,319), second in steals (1,182), and is tied for second for triple-doubles (7).[14] Porter averaged 14.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in 758 games.[40] Neal was drafted 31st overall in 1972 and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He was a member of the championship team, playing in Portland from 1972 to 1979. He averaged 11.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 435 games.[41]
Hall of famers
Six players who have played for the Blazers in their careers have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, with four of them being drafted by Portland: Walton (inducted in 1993), Dražen Petrović (2002), Drexler (2004 as a player, 2010 as a member of the Dream Team), and Sabonis (2011).[34][42][43] Drexler and the Dream Team were also inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009, while Petrović (2007, posthumously) and Sabonis (2010) were inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.[44][45][46] Petrović was drafted 60th overall in the 1986 NBA draft, but stayed overseas for a few seasons. He played from 1989–1991 in Portland, where he averaged 7.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 95 games.[47] Sabonis was drafted #24 overall in 1986 NBA draft, but did not play for the Blazers until the 1995–96 NBA season at the age of 30. He was named NBA All-Rookie First Team and played with Portland until he retired from the NBA after the 2000–01 NBA season. Sabonis returned to the team for the 2002–03 NBA season after a season with Žalgiris before permanently retiring from the NBA. For his career in Portland, Sabonis averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 470 games.[48]
Selections
The Blazers have made a total of 283 selections since their first draft in 1970. As a result of trades prior to the drafts, the team had no picks in 1998, 1999, 2014, 2016, or 2021.[2]
^ abcOn March 23, 1971, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired 1971 and 1972 second round picks and a 1971 third round pick from the San Francisco Warriors in exchange for Jim Barnett.[49][50] The Blazers used the picks to draft Charlie Yelverton, Dave Twardzik, and William Smith.
^On October 22, 1970, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a second round pick from the Baltimore Bullets in exchange for Dorie Murrey.[51] The Blazers used the pick to draft Rick Fisher.
^On September 11, 1971, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a second round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for LeRoy Ellis.[52] The Blazers used the pick to draft Ollie Johnson.
^On the draft day, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired a first round pick and a third round pick from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for John Johnson, Rick Roberson and a Los Angeles Lakers' first round pick.[53] The Cavaliers used the picks to draft Jim Brewer and Jim O'Brien. The Blazers used the pick to draft Barry Parkhill.
^On October 14, 1973, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a second round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Rick Adelman.[54] The Blazers used the pick to draft Phil Lumpkin.
^On September 11, 1972, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a second round pick from the Philadelphia 76ers as compensation for the signing of Gary Gregor as a free agent.[55] Previously, the 76ers acquired the pick and future consideration (the 76ers acquired John Block on July 28, 1972) on December 13, 1971, from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Wali Jones.[56] The Blazers used the pick to draft Rubin Collins.
^On September 18, 1974, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a third round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Mickey Johnson.[57] The Blazers used the pick to draft Gus Gerard.
^On September 16, 1974, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Barry Clemens and future consideration (the Blazers acquired a second round pick on May 25, 1976) from the New Orleans Jazz in exchange for Rick Roberson.[59][60] Previously, the Jazz acquired Ron Behagen and the pick on May 28, 1975, from the Kansas City Kings in exchange for a 1975 first-round pick.[61] The Blazers used the pick to draft Major Jones.
^On June 3, 1976, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a 1977 second-round pick from the New Orleans Jazz in exchange for a 1976 second round pick.[62] The Blazers used the pick to draft Kim Anderson.
^On June 8, 1978, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired the first pick from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Johnny Davis and the third pick.[63] Previously, the Blazers acquired a first-round pick on October 18, 1976, from the Buffalo Braves in exchange for Moses Malone.[64] The Blazers used the pick to draft Mychal Thompson.
^On November 11, 1977, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a 1978 first round pick and a 1979 second round pick from the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Wally Walker.[65] Previously, the Sonics acquired the pick on September 25, 1975, from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Archie Clark.[66] The Blazers used the pick to draft Ron Brewer.
^On September 13, 1977, the Atlanta Hawks traded Bill Willoughby to the Buffalo Braves for a 1978 second round pick. On October 5, 1977, Portland traded the rights to Rich Laurel to Atlanta for a 1978 second round pick.[67] The Blazers used the pick to draft Keith Herron.
^On November 11, 1977, the Blazers traded Wally Walker to the Seattle SuperSonics for a 1978 first round pick (#7 overall – Ron Brewer) and a 1979 second round pick. On November 12, 1977, Seattle traded Mike Green to the San Antonio Spurs for a 1978 second round pick and a 1979 second round pick.[68] The Blazers used the pick to draft Andrew Fields.
^The Portland Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to fourth pick Kelvin Ransey and a 1981 first round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to tenth pick Ronnie Lester and a 1981 first round pick.[69]
^On June 30, 1978, the Blazers traded David "Corky" Calhoun to the Indiana Pacers for a 1980 second round pick.[70] The Blazers used the pick to draft David Lawrence.
^On June 8, 1981, the Atlanta Hawks acquired a 1981 first round pick and a 1981 second round pick from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for a 1981 first round pick, a 1982 second round pick and an option to swap 1982 first round draft picks.[71] Previously, the Bulls acquired the draft rights to Ronnie Lester and the first round pick on June 10, 1980, from the Blazers in exchange for the draft rights to Kelvin Ransey and a 1981 first round pick.[69] Previously, the Blazers acquired the pick on February 8, 1980, from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Lionel Hollins.[72] Previously, the 76ers acquired the pick and a 1983 first round pick on October 3, 1977, from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Terry Furlow.[73] The Blazers used the pick to draft Darnell Valentine.
^On October 9, 1979, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a second round pick from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Clemon Johnson.[74] Previously, the Pacers acquired Bob Carrington, 1980 and 1981 second round picks on January 27, 1978, from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for John Williamson.[75] The Blazers used the pick to draft Brian Jackson.
^On August 24, 1979, the Blazers traded Willie Smith to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 1981 third round pick.[76] The Blazers used the pick to select Derek Holcomb.
^On September 24, 1981, the Blazers traded Geoff Crompton to the Milwaukee Bucks for a 1982 third round pick.[77] The Blazers used the pick to select Phillip Lockett.
^ abOn August 15, 1980, Portland acquired a 1983 first round pick (#14-Clyde Drexler) and a 1984 second round pick (#33-Steve Colter) from Denver in exchange for T. R. Dunn and a 1983 first round pick.[79]
^On June 5, 1981, Portland acquired a first round pick from Indiana in exchange for Tom Owens.[80] Portland used the pick to draft Sam Bowie.
^On August 18, 1983, Portland acquired a second round pick from Indiana in exchange for Granville Waiters.[81] Previously, Indiana acquired the draft rights to Sidney Lowe and the pick on June 28, 1983, from Chicago in exchange for the draft rights to Mitchell Wiggins.[82] Portland used the pick to draft Victor Fleming.
^On October 8, 1980, Portland acquired a second round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Jim Brewer.[53] Portland used the pick to draft Jerome Kersey.
^On June 28, 1982, the Blazers traded Kelvin Ransey to the Dallas Mavericks for Wayne Cooper and a 1985 first round pick. On May 1, 1985, Dallas traded a 1985 first round pick to Boston for a 1985 first round pick and a 1988 second round pick.[78] The Blazers used the pick to draft Terry Porter.
^On September 6, 1985, the Los Angeles Clippers traded Bill Walton to the Celtics for Cedric Maxwell and a 1986 first round pick. On January 14, 1986, Portland traded Darnell Valentine and a 1988 second round pick to the Clippers for a 1986 first round pick and a 1988 second round pick.[83] The Blazers used the first round pick to draft Arvydas Sabonis.
^On October 7, 1983, the Blazers traded Hank McDowell to the Indiana Pacers for a 1986 third round pick.[83] The Blazers used the pick to select Juden Smith.
^On September 6, 1983, the Blazers traded Linton Townes to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 1987 second round pick.[84] The Blazers used the pick to select Lester Fonville.
^On June 14, 1985, the Blazers traded Bernard Thompson to the Phoenix Suns for a 1987 second round pick.[84] The Blazers used the pick to select Nikita Wilson.
^On October 11, 1987, the Blazers agreed to waive the rights of free agent Kermit Washington to the Golden State Warriors for a 1988 third round pick.[85] The Blazers used the pick to draft Anthony Mason.
^On June 26, 1995, the Blazers traded a two 1995 first round picks and a 1995 second round pick to the Detroit Pistons for a 1995 first round pick.[86] On June 28, 1995, Portland acquired the draft rights to Gary Trent from the Milwaukee Bucks for the draft rights of Shawn Respert.[87]
^On July 13, 2001, the Chicago Bulls traded Brian Skinner to the Toronto Raptors for Charles Oakley and a 2002 second round pick. On July 19, 2001, the Blazers traded Greg Anthony to the Bulls for a second round pick (protected #51–57 in 2002, unprotected in 2003).[88] The Blazers used the pick to select Jason Jennings.
^ abHours before the start of the draft, Utah acquired the 3rd pick from Portland in exchange for the 6th pick, the 27th pick and a 2006 first round draft pick.[89] Previously, Utah acquired a 2005 first round draft pick on June 24, 2004, from Dallas in exchange for the draft rights to Pavel Podkolzin.[90] Portland used the 6th and the 27th pick to draft Martell Webster and Linas Kleiza.
^On June 28, 2005, Portland acquired Detroit's 2006 first round draft pick, the 6th and 27th pick in 2005 from Utah in exchange for the 3rd pick in 2005.[89] Previously, Utah acquired a 2006 first round draft pick and Elden Campbell on January 21, 2005, from Detroit in exchange for Carlos Arroyo.[93] Portland used the 30th pick to draft Joel Freeland.
^Memphis acquired the draft rights to 45th pick Alexander Johnson from Portland in exchange for a 2008 second round draft pick. Previously, Portland acquired the draft rights to the 45th pick Alexander Johnson, 2007 and 2008 second round draft picks from Indiana in exchange for the draft rights to 31st pick James White.[92]
^On June 28, 2006, Portland acquired 2007 and 2008 second-round draft picks and the draft rights to Alexander Johnson from Indiana in exchange for the draft rights to James White.[92] Portland used the 42nd pick to draft Derrick Byars.
^On October 10, 1997, Portland acquired a 2007 second round draft pick from the Toronto Raptors in a three-team trade with Toronto and the New York Knicks.[95] Portland used the 52nd pick to draft Taurean Green.
^On June 28, 2006, Portland acquired a 2008 second round draft pick from Memphis in exchange for the draft rights to Alexander Johnson.[99] Portland used the pick to draft Joey Dorsey.
^In a three-team trade, Portland acquired the draft rights to 25th pick Nicolas Batum from Houston, Houston acquired the draft rights to 33rd pick Joey Dorsey from Portland and the draft rights to 28th pick Donté Greene and a 2009 second round draft pick from Memphis, and Memphis acquired the draft rights to 27th pick Darrell Arthur from Portland.[97]
^In a three-team trade, Chicago acquired the draft rights to 36th pick Ömer Aşık from Portland, the Trail Blazers acquired a second round draft pick in 2009 from Denver and two future second round draft picks from Chicago, and Denver acquired the draft rights to 39th pick Sonny Weems from Chicago.[100]
^On June 28, 2006, Portland acquired Indiana's 2007 and Phoenix's 2008 second round draft picks and the draft rights to Alexander Johnson from Indiana in exchange for the draft rights to James White.[92] Previously, Indiana acquired a 2008 second-round draft pick on August 25, 2005, from Phoenix in exchange for James Jones.[101] Portland used the pick to draft Mike Taylor.
^On June 24, 2009, Portland acquired the 22nd pick from Dallas in exchange for the 24th pick, 56th pick and a 2010 second round draft pick.[102] Portland used the 22nd pick to draft Víctor Claver.
^ abOn June 26, 2008, Portland acquired a 2009 second round draft pick from Denver in a three-team trade with Denver and Chicago. Portland also acquired New York's 2009 second round draft pick and Chicago's 2010 second round draft pick from Chicago.[97] Previously, Chicago acquired a 2006 first round draft pick, 2007 and 2009 second round draft picks, an option to exchange 2007 first round draft picks, Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney and Jermaine Jackson on October 4, 2005, from New York in exchange for Eddy Curry and Antonio Davis.[103] Portland used the 38th and 55th pick to draft Jon Brockman and Patrick Mills, respectively.
^On June 22, 2010, Milwaukee acquired Corey Maggette and the 44th pick in the 2010 draft from Golden State in exchange for Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric.[105] Previously, Golden State acquired the 44th pick in the 2010 draft and cash considerations on June 21, 2010, from Portland in exchange for the 34th pick in the 2010 draft.[106] Previously, Portland acquired 2009 and 2010 second round picks from Chicago in a three-team trade on June 26, 2008.[97]
^On July 20, 2012, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Sasha Pavlovic, the 39th pick and the 45th pick from the Boston Celtics in a three team sign-and-trade deal involving Courtney Lee.[111]
Cleveland acquired Marreese Speights, Josh Selby, Wayne Ellington, and Memphis' protected future first round pick; the pick could not be conveyed until two years after Memphis sent its first round pick to Minnesota (which happened in 2013) and was protected #1–5 and #15–30 in 2015, then #1–5 in 2017 and 2018
Philadelphia acquired Jalen McDaniels, New York's 2024 second round pick, and Portland's 2029 second round pick
Charlotte acquired Svi Mykhailiuk, the most favorable of Atlanta's, Charlotte's, and Brooklyn's 2023 second round picks, and Portland's 2027 second round pick
^"Portland Has 4 Draft Choices". Gettysburg Times. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. May 25, 1976. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
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