Best draft picks in Portland Trail Blazers history
The draft is a seminal moment for many incoming players. Putting aside competitive stakes, each young athlete's life is irreversibly altered by the fame and fortune that comes with being an NBA player. The exorbitant contract values ensures these players almost never have to worry about personal finances. Plus, these young guns get to play alongside some of their basketball idols for a living. With these high stakes, it's easy to see why the draft is so revered.
Likewise, the fortunes of a city and franchise can be completely transformed by a draft pick. LeBron James, for instance, brought Cleveland its first sports championship in 52 years and was also to the city's downtown economy. It almost goes without saying that Michael Jordan built the Chicago Bulls from the ground up into a championship team whose dynamic would reverberate through the decades.
With that in mind, 黑料社 compiled a list of the best draft picks in Portland Trail Blazers history using data from . Players were ranked according to a formula that approximates their career achievements, career value, and play quality. The formula encompasses Basketball-Reference.com's , career win shares, and value over replacement player, aka VORP. For players drafted before data is available for VORP, half of the player's win shares were used in its place to calculate their 黑料社 score.
Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were given a minimum of 60% for their Hall of Fame probability, indicating a worthy r茅sum茅 for their time but not up to par with some modern players. Scores were normalized to 100 based on the scoring leader. Keep reading to see where your favorite players fall on the list.
#50. Meyers Leonard
- 黑料社 score: 2.4
- 11th overall pick in 2012
- Played seven seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 5.6 PTS, 3.9 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 15.8 win shares, -1.5 box plus/minus, 1.0 VORP
#49. Jerryd Bayless
- 黑料社 score: 2.8
- 11th overall pick in 2008
- Played two seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 8.4 PTS, 2.1 REB, 2.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 18.6 win shares, -1.6 box plus/minus, 1.1 VORP
#48. Travis Outlaw
- 黑料社 score: 2.8
- 23rd overall pick in 2003
- Played seven seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 8.5 PTS, 3.2 REB, 0.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 16.5 win shares, -1.4 box plus/minus, 2.1 VORP
#47. Ron Brewer
- 黑料社 score: 3.0
- Seventh overall pick in 1978
- Played three seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 11.9 PTS, 1.9 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 17.3 win shares, -1.3 box plus/minus, 2.4 VORP
#46. Kelvin Ransey
- 黑料社 score: 3.4
- Fourth overall pick in 1980
- Played two seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 11.4 PTS, 1.9 REB, 5.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 17.9 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 3.3 VORP
#45. Dante Cunningham
- 黑料社 score: 3.6
- 33rd overall pick in 2009
- Played two seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 5.8 PTS, 3.7 REB, 0.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 24.9 win shares, -1.7 box plus/minus, 1.1 VORP
#44. Steve Colter
- 黑料社 score: 3.7
- 33rd overall pick in 1984
- Played two seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 6.3 PTS, 2.0 REB, 2.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 17.3 win shares, -0.2 box plus/minus, 4.4 VORP
#43. Rudy Fern谩ndez
- 黑料社 score: 3.8
- 24th overall pick in 2007
- Played three seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 9.1 PTS, 2.4 REB, 2.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 14.2 win shares, 1.7 box plus/minus, 5.6 VORP
#42. Gary Trent
- 黑料社 score: 3.8
- 11th overall pick in 1995
- Played three seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 8.6 PTS, 4.5 REB, 1.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 23.2 win shares, -1.0 box plus/minus, 2.4 VORP
#41. Josh McRoberts
- 黑料社 score: 4.0
- 37th overall pick in 2007
- Played one season with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 5.4 PTS, 3.9 REB, 2.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 18.5 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 4.7 VORP
#40. Lionel Hollins
- 黑料社 score: 4.0
- Sixth overall pick in 1975
- Played five seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 11.6 PTS, 2.4 REB, 4.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 22.9 win shares, -1.4 box plus/minus, 3.1 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1977 NBA Champ
--- 2x All-Defensive
--- 1x All Star
#39. Pat Connaughton
- 黑料社 score: 4.1
- 41st overall pick in 2015
- Played three seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 6.1 PTS, 3.5 REB, 1.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 20.6 win shares, -0.2 box plus/minus, 4.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2021 NBA Champ
#38. Alvin Williams
- 黑料社 score: 4.5
- 48th overall pick in 1997
- Played one season with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 9.0 PTS, 2.5 REB, 4.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 21.7 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 4.9 VORP
#37. Dra啪en Petrovi膰
- 黑料社 score: 4.6
- 60th overall pick in 1986
- Played two seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 15.4 PTS, 2.3 REB, 2.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 21.5 win shares, 0.8 box plus/minus, 5.4 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1992-93 All-NBA
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#36. Martell Webster
- 黑料社 score: 4.6
- Sixth overall pick in 2005
- Played five seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 8.7 PTS, 3.1 REB, 1.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 24.7 win shares, -0.8 box plus/minus, 4.3 VORP
#35. Clemon Johnson
- 黑料社 score: 4.7
- 44th overall pick in 1978
- Played one season with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 5.4 PTS, 4.6 REB, 1.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 25.5 win shares, -0.8 box plus/minus, 4.1 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1983 NBA Champ
#34. Darnell Valentine
- 黑料社 score: 4.7
- 16th overall pick in 1981
- Played five seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 8.7 PTS, 2.1 REB, 5.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 22.1 win shares, -0.5 box plus/minus, 5.5 VORP
#33. Kelvin Cato
- 黑料社 score: 5.2
- 15th overall pick in 1997
- Played two seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 5.5 PTS, 5.3 REB, 0.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 28.6 win shares, -0.3 box plus/minus, 4.4 VORP
#32. Sam Bowie
- 黑料社 score: 5.6
- Second overall pick in 1984
- Played four seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 10.9 PTS, 7.5 REB, 2.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 26.9 win shares, -0.3 box plus/minus, 6.2 VORP
#31. Will Barton
- 黑料社 score: 5.8
- 40th overall pick in 2012
- Played three seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 11.2 PTS, 4.1 REB, 2.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 26.5 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 6.9 VORP
#30. Dave Twardzik
- 黑料社 score: 6.6
- 26th overall pick in 1972
- Played four seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 9.3 PTS, 2.4 REB, 3.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 21.8 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1977 NBA Champ
--- 1x All Star
#29. Lloyd Neal
- 黑料社 score: 6.8
- 31st overall pick in 1972
- Played seven seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 11.1 PTS, 7.7 REB, 1.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 22.7 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1977 NBA Champ
#28. Jarrett Jack
- 黑料社 score: 7.0
- 22nd overall pick in 2005
- Played three seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 10.8 PTS, 2.9 REB, 4.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 36.8 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 6.5 VORP
#27. Kevin Gamble
- 黑料社 score: 7.1
- 63rd overall pick in 1987
- Played one season with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 9.5 PTS, 2.2 REB, 2.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 33.3 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 8.1 VORP
#26. Johnny Davis
- 黑料社 score: 7.1
- 22nd overall pick in 1976
- Played two seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 12.9 PTS, 2.0 REB, 4.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 38.5 win shares, -0.8 box plus/minus, 6.4 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1977 NBA Champ
#25. Patty Mills
- 黑料社 score: 7.7
- 55th overall pick in 2009
- Played two seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 9.0 PTS, 1.7 REB, 2.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 35.7 win shares, 0.0 box plus/minus, 8.9 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 0.1%
- Accolades
--- 2014 NBA Champ
#24. Geoff Petrie
- 黑料社 score: 7.9
- Eighth overall pick in 1970
- Played six seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 21.8 PTS, 2.8 REB, 4.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 26.1 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1970-71 ROY
--- 2x All Star
#23. Ollie Johnson
- 黑料社 score: 8.1
- 30th overall pick in 1972
- Played two seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 7.7 PTS, 3.3 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 27.0 win shares
#22. Bob Gross
- 黑料社 score: 8.1
- 25th overall pick in 1975
- Played seven seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 8.9 PTS, 4.4 REB, 2.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 30.7 win shares, 1.8 box plus/minus, 12.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1977 NBA Champ
--- 1977-78 All-Defensive
#21. Larry Steele
- 黑料社 score: 8.5
- 37th overall pick in 1971
- Played nine seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 8.2 PTS, 2.9 REB, 2.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 28.2 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1977 NBA Champ
--- 1973-74 STL Champ
#20. T.R. Dunn
- 黑料社 score: 9.1
- 41st overall pick in 1977
- Played three seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 5.1 PTS, 4.4 REB, 1.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 39.8 win shares, 0.0 box plus/minus, 11.5 VORP
- Accolades
--- 3x All-Defensive
#19. Aaron McKie
- 黑料社 score: 9.6
- 17th overall pick in 1994
- Played three seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 7.4 PTS, 3.3 REB, 2.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 40.0 win shares, 0.7 box plus/minus, 12.9 VORP
#18. Brandon Roy
- 黑料社 score: 10.4
- Sixth overall pick in 2006
- Played five seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 18.8 PTS, 4.3 REB, 4.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 37.4 win shares, 3.6 box plus/minus, 16.3 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2006-07 ROY
--- 2x All-NBA
--- 3x All Star
#17. Jim Paxson
- 黑料社 score: 11.5
- 12th overall pick in 1979
- Played nine seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 14.3 PTS, 2.0 REB, 2.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 53.7 win shares, 0.5 box plus/minus, 13.3 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1983-84 All-NBA
--- 2x All Star
#16. CJ McCollum
- 黑料社 score: 11.8
- 10th overall pick in 2013
- Played nine seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 19.4 PTS, 3.6 REB, 3.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 44.6 win shares, 1.3 box plus/minus, 17.5 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 0.1%
#15. Arvydas Sabonis
- 黑料社 score: 12.4
- 24th overall pick in 1986
- Played seven seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 12.0 PTS, 7.3 REB, 2.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 47.3 win shares, 4.4 box plus/minus, 18.4 VORP
- Accolade
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#14. Mychal Thompson
- 黑料社 score: 12.6
- First overall pick in 1978
- Played seven seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 13.7 PTS, 7.4 REB, 2.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 59.1 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 14.5 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
#13. Sidney Wicks
- 黑料社 score: 13.4
- Second overall pick in 1971
- Played five seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 16.8 PTS, 8.7 REB, 3.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 42.4 win shares
- Hall of Fame probability: 3.9%
- Accolades
--- 1971-72 ROY
--- 4x All Star
#12. Jerome Kersey
- 黑料社 score: 15.6
- 46th overall pick in 1984
- Played 11 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 10.3 PTS, 5.5 REB, 1.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 69.5 win shares, 0.7 box plus/minus, 19.3 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1999 NBA Champ
#11. Zach Randolph
- 黑料社 score: 16.9
- 19th overall pick in 2001
- Played six seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 16.6 PTS, 9.1 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 81.1 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 18.8 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2010-11 All-NBA
--- 2x All Star
#10. Nicolas Batum
- 黑料社 score: 18.0
- 25th overall pick in 2008
- Played seven seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 10.7 PTS, 5.0 REB, 3.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 67.1 win shares, 1.6 box plus/minus, 27.1 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 0.0%
#9. Jermaine O'Neal
- 黑料社 score: 19.1
- 17th overall pick in 1996
- Played four seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 13.2 PTS, 7.2 REB, 1.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 66.0 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 15.6 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 31.8%
- Accolades
--- 3x All-NBA
--- 6x All Star
#8. Anthony Mason
- 黑料社 score: 19.3
- 53rd overall pick in 1988
- Career averages: 10.9 PTS, 8.3 REB, 3.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 88.3 win shares, 1.0 box plus/minus, 23.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1996-97 All-NBA
--- 1996-97 All-Defensive
--- 1x All Star
#7. Fat Lever
- 黑料社 score: 19.4
- 11th overall pick in 1982
- Played two seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 13.9 PTS, 6.0 REB, 6.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 61.2 win shares, 3.3 box plus/minus, 32.1 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 2.6%
- Accolades
--- 1986-87 All-NBA
--- 1987-88 All-Defensive
--- 2x All Star
#6. Clifford Robinson
- 黑料社 score: 20.7
- 36th overall pick in 1989
- Played eight seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 14.2 PTS, 4.6 REB, 2.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 89.7 win shares, 0.5 box plus/minus, 26.6 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x All-Defensive
--- 1x All Star
#5. Bill Walton
- 黑料社 score: 22.4
- First overall pick in 1974
- Played four seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 13.3 PTS, 10.5 REB, 3.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 39.3 win shares, 4.3 box plus/minus, 21.3 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
--- 1977-78 MVP
--- 1976-77 Finals MVP
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#4. Terry Porter
- 黑料社 score: 30.0
- 24th overall pick in 1985
- Played 10 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 12.2 PTS, 3.0 REB, 5.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 110.4 win shares, 2.9 box plus/minus, 43.3 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 5.3%
- Accolades
--- 2x All Star
#3. LaMarcus Aldridge
- 黑料社 score: 34.8
- Second overall pick in 2006
- Played nine seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 19.1 PTS, 8.1 REB, 1.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 115.7 win shares, 1.7 box plus/minus, 33.4 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 50.9%
- Accolades
--- 5x All-NBA
--- 7x All Star
#2. Damian Lillard
- 黑料社 score: 46.1
- Sixth overall pick in 2012
- Played 11 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 25.2 PTS, 4.2 REB, 6.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 103.1 win shares, 4.9 box plus/minus, 48.6 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 96.4%
- Accolades
--- 2012-13 ROY
--- 7x All-NBA
--- 7x All Star
#1. Clyde Drexler
- 黑料社 score: 58.2
- 14th overall pick in 1983
- Played 12 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers
- Career averages: 20.4 PTS, 6.1 REB, 5.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 135.6 win shares, 5.4 box plus/minus, 70.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1995 NBA Champ
--- 5x All-NBA
--- 10x All Star
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
