Portland Trail Blazers: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

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Jan 29, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots a pair of free throws during the second half in a game against the Golden State Warriors at the Moda Center. The Warriors won 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

The Portland Trail Blazers have seen years of extended success thanks to their ability to draft well. Here’s a look at the 10 best draft picks in the franchise’s history.

The Portland Trail Blazers are in an enviable position heading into the 2017 NBA Draft. The team has three draft picks, all of which are in the first round.

The Blazers hold the 15th, 20th and 26th picks in the draft. The 15th is their own by virtue of going 41-41 in the regular season.

Portland received the 20th pick from the Denver Nuggets in a trade sending Mason Plumlee and a 2018 second round pick away in exchange for Jusuf Nurkic and Denver’s extra first-rounder (via Memphis).

Portland received the 26th pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers in what was essentially a pick swap. In February 2016 the Blazers took Anderson Varejao in a trade with the Cavs as a salary dump. Varejao also came with a 2018 first round pick, while Portland sent away a 2018 second-round pick.

Then, on Jan. 6, 2017, the Cavs and Blazers swapped picks. Cleveland took back their 2018 first round pick and gave Portland the 26th pick.

Having picks is a position the Blazers haven’t been in awhile. They didn’t have any picks in 2016 and only had one in 2015.

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Arizona) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twenty-three overall pick to the Portland Trailblazers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

There’s a number of ways general manger Neil Olshey can utilize his picks. He can use all three, or can trade any of them away for established players.

But if he choses to use them, those rookies will join an extensive group of Blazers draftees. The team has made 266 selections in its 37-year history. A lot of them have been middling picks, but there are several selections that have carved out their place in Blazer lore.

Today we take a look at 10 of them. They find their way on this list by being statistically productive and making sizable contributions to the success of the franchise. This list includes draftees that have played a hand in the 1977 championship, the 1990 and 1992 conference titles, and the back-to-back conference final runs in 1999 and 2000.

Portland’s draft history hasn’t been great overall, but all of the players on this list have made the franchise proud when they’ve donned the red and black.

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