The Portland Trail Blazers are one of the oldest franchises in NBA history. It was founded in 1970 and has won only one championship, which was in 1977. However, the team reached the NBA finals two more times in 1990 and 1992. Although the team has not won the NBA title for 63 years, there have been some great players in its history who led the team to the playoffs. Let’s have a look at the 11 best players in the history of the Blazers.
11. Clifford Robinson
Clifford was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1989 NBA Draft and he proved to be one of the best picks in franchise history. He played eight seasons with the team and averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Robinson ranks sixth in franchise history in total points, 10th in rebounds, seventh in steals and second in blocks. He is a one time All-Star and was honored as the best sixth man in the 1992–93 season.
10. CJ McCollum
CJ McCollum was picked by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2013 NBA Draft. In the eight seasons with the franchise, McCollum became the 20-point-per-game scorer after averaging 6 points in two years. Blazers’ trust in CJ allowed him to emerge as one of the best shooting guards of his prime. He is arguably the greatest NBA player to never make an All-Star team during his entire career.
9. Sidney Wicks
Sidney was the second overall pick in the 1971 NBA Draft. He turned out to be a great choice for the Blazers and was named Rookie of the Year in the 1971–72 season. During his stint with Portland, Wicks made four All-Star appearances. In five years with the team, he averaged 22.3 steals per game with an 18.9 player efficiency rating.
8. Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed made his NBA debut with the Washington Bullets and after playing one season with the team, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He became the leading scorer in 2000 and the Blazers had a real chance to win an NBA championship. “Dirty 30” spent eight seasons with the franchise and made two of his four All-Star appearances during his stint with them. However, Rasheed won the NBA ring with the Detroit Pistons.
7. Terry Porter
The Blazers selected Terry Porter in the 1985 NBA Draft. He spent ten seasons with the franchise and became one of the best role players. Porter was a big part of the Portland team that made it to the NBA finals before falling short. His statistics were not that great, but he made two All-Star appearances for his accomplishments. Porter’s jersey was retired by the franchise at the end of his career to celebrate his presence.
6. Brandon Roy
Brandon Roy made his NBA debut with the Portland Trail Blazers and became the Rookie of the year in the 2006–07 season. In his first three seasons with the franchise, “B-Roy” also made three All-Star appearances. His two All-NBA selections showed that he was becoming an amazing player. Unfortunately, Brandon suffered some serious injuries that ruined his career and eventually the Blazers used the amnesty clause to get out of his contract.
5. Geoff Petrie
Geoff Petrie was a huge part of the Portland Trail Blazers history. He started his NBA career with the franchise and became Rookie of the Year in 1970. Although Petrie didn’t have a long career, he made two All-Star appearances and had his jersey retired by the franchise. He was the player the team often relied on to put points on the board and contend in matches.
4. Bill Walton
The only NBA championship for the Portland Trail Blazers came under the leadership of Bill Walton. He was a fantastic player and his best years in the league came with the Blazers. “Big Red-Head” won the NBA Championship, he was the finals MVP and a regular season MVP, which made him one of the greatest players in the league. Unfortunately, Bill was able to play only four seasons with the Blazers as injuries changed his career. His numbers declined and he moved to other teams before becoming an all-time NBA great.
3. LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 2006 NBA Draft but was immediately traded to the Blazers. He spent ten seasons with the franchise, making four All-Star appearances and three All-NBA selections. He was one of the best power forwards in the franchise for years. Aldridge averaged 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game during his stint with the franchise.
2. Clyde Drexler
Portland selected Clyde Drexler in the 1983 NBA Draft and he went on to become one of the greatest players in franchise history. Drexler made eight All-Star appearances and four All-NBA selections wearing the Blazers uniform. “The Glide” was the best player on the two Portland teams that made it to the NBA Finals before falling short. His desire to be traded to the Houston Rockets at the end of his tenure disappointed some Blazers fans, but no one can change the fact that he is one of the most incredible players in franchise history.
1. Damian Lillard
Damian was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA Draft. He spent eleven seasons with the team and made seven All-Stars and seven All-NBA selections. Dame averaged 19.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game during his stint with the franchise. His best season with the team was 2022-23, when he averaged 32 points. Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this year as part of a three-team trade.
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