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

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 /

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6. Jim Paxson (SG/PG) – No. 12 pick in 1979 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Blazers, 1979-88): 627 GP, 16.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 50.3 FG%, 23.0 3P%, 80.4 FT%

The Portland Trail Blazers were a team in transition entering the 1980s. The team couldn’t repeat the success of their amazing championship run in 1977. As they slowly shipped out members from that era, they had to bring in new blood. They already struck gold with Mychal Thompson in 1978. That was followed up by Jim Paxson’s selection in 1979.

Paxson’s career started rough, as he averaged 6.2 points per game on 41.1 percent shooting in his rookie season. However, he quickly jumped to averaging 17.1 points per game on 53.9 percent shooting the following year.

Paxson became the focal point of the Blazers’ offense by 1982. He averaged 21.7 points per game on 51.5 percent shooting in 1982-83. He then came back the following year and averaged 21.3 points per game on 51.4 percent shooting. Paxson made the All-Star team in both seasons.

From there, his numbers began to quickly decline. By 1985-86, at age 28, he was down to averaging 13.1 points per game.

Paxson was traded to the Boston Celtics in February of 1988 for Jerry Sichting. He left Portland as the team’s all-time leading scorer with 10,003 total points. He would retire following the 1989-90 season.

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