The Best Portland Trail Blazers First-Round Picks In The NBA Draft

Updated July 26, 2019 297 votes 17 voters47 items

List RulesVote based only on career success with the Portland Trail Blazers. Only picks made since the NBA/ABA merger (since 1977).

Every Portland Trail Blazers first-round pick has played a role in the history of the franchise. The franchise has picked up some top NBA talent in the draft like Damian Lillard, one of the best in the NBA right now, and Clyde Drexler, an all-time basketball legend.

But the franchise has won just one NBA championship and none since 1977. Some might blame all-time NBA draft busts like Greg Oden and Sam Bowie for the lengthy title drought.

Which of these players had the most important impact on the Trail Blazers franchise? The stats shown reflect only the players’ time spent with Portland, and that’s what you should base your vote on. Did this player help improve the Trail Blazers during his time with the team?

1
14
2
Damian Lillard
Draft selection: 6 (2012)

Stats
549 games played, 23.5 ppg, 6.3 apg, 4.2 rpg, 1.0 spg

Achievements
4× NBA All-Star (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019)
All-NBA First Team (2018)
All-NBA Second Team (2016)
All-NBA Third Team (2014)
NBA Rookie of the Year (2013)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2013)
2
10
2
Travis Outlaw
Draft selection: 23 (2003)

Stats
377 games played, 9.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg
3
13
6
Tyrus Thomas
Draft selection: 4 (2006)

Stats
Never played for Blazers
4
10
5
Sergei Monia
Draft selection: 23 (2004)

Stats
23 games played, 3.3 ppg
5
8
4
Shawn Respert
Draft selection: 8 (1995)

Stats
Never played for Blazers
6
8
4
Terry Porter
Draft selection: 24 (1985)

Stats
758 games played, 14.9 ppg, 7.0 apg, 3.5 apg, 1.6 spg

Achievements
2× NBA All-Star (1991, 1993)
7
8
4
Victor Claver
Draft selection: 22 (2009)

Stats
80 games played, 3.2 ppg
8
6
2
Clyde Drexler
Draft selection: 14 (1983)

Stats
867 games played, 20.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.7 apg, 2.1 apg

Achievements
8× NBA All-Star (1986, 1988–1994)
All-NBA First Team (1992)
2× All-NBA Second Team (1988, 1991)
9
5
2
C. J. McCollum
Draft selection: 10 (2013)

Stats
411 games played, 17.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.9 apg

Achievements
NBA Most Improved Player (2016)
10
2
1
Aaron McKie
Draft selection: 17 (1994)

Stats
167 games played, 7.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.3 apg
11
2
0
Alaa Abdelnaby
Draft selection: 25 (1990)

Stats
114 games played, 5.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg
12
5
0
Arvydas Sabonis
Draft selection: 24 (1986)

Stats
470 games played, 12.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.1 apg

Achievements
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1996)
13
0
2
Bernard Thompson
Draft selection: 19 (1984)

Stats
59 games played, 3.3 ppg

14
0
2
Brandon Rush
Draft selection: 13 (2008)

Stats
Never played for Blazers
15
0
2
Byron Irvin
Draft selection: 22 (1989)

Stats
50 games played, 5.2 ppg
16
0
2
Chris Anstey
Draft selection: 18 (1997)

Stats
Never played for Blazers
17
2
0
Darnell Valentine
Draft selection: 16 (1981)

Stats
300 games played, 9.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg
18
0
2
Dave Johnson
Draft selection: 26 (1992)

Stats
42 games played, 3.7 ppg
19
0
2
Erick Barkley
Draft selection: 28 (2000)

Stats
27 games played, 2.9 ppg
20
5
2
Greg Oden
Draft selection: 1 (2007)

Stats
82 games played, 9.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg
21
2
0
James Robinson
Draft selection: 21 (1993)

Stats
205 games played, 7.7 ppg
22
5
2
Jeff Lamp
Draft selection: 15 (1981)

Stats
177 games played, 4.7 ppg
23
5
2
Jermaine O'Neal
Draft selection: 17 (1996)

Stats
211 games played, 3.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg

24
5
0
Jim Paxson
Draft selection: 12 (1979)

Stats
627 games played, 16.0 ppg, 3.2 apg

Achievements
2× NBA All-Star (1983, 1984)
All-NBA Second Team (1984)
25
2
0
Joel Freeland
Draft selection: 30 (2006)

Stats
151 games played, 3.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg

Victor Claver

Bernard Thompson

Byron Irvin

Dave Johnson

James Robinson