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

By Raymond Simms

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
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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Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) looks to the basket as he is guarded by Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. (7) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) looks to the basket as he is guarded by Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. (7) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Damian Lillard (PG) – No. 6 pick in 2012 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Blazers, 2012-Present):  396 GP, 22.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 43.0 FG%, 37.0 3P%, 87.7 FT% 

We are experiencing the value of Damian Lillard as a Blazer draft pick in real time. The two-time All-Star is spearheading a team that is still in transition just as he reaching his prime.

Lillard was picked sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft and, unlike most players on this list, he started right out of the gate. He has started every game he has played ever since.

2016-17 was his best season. He had career-high per game averages in points (27.0), rebounds (4.9), and field goal percentage (44.4 percent). Lillard also shot 37.0 percent from three, and averaged 5.9 assists per game.

This season also saw him set a new franchise record by scoring 59 points in an April 8 win over the Utah Jazz. This was the icing on the cake to a March and April where he scored 30 or more points nine times. He also scored 49 points in a March 19 win over the Miami Heat.

The question heading into the future is how much more he will grow?

Lillard still struggles on the defensive end, and the team that surrounds him is also important to his improvement. The Blazers are over the luxury tax line, limiting the offseason movements they can make. Certain players with big paydays have already hit their ceilings or are still a ways off from the top form.

But as the team around him is in question, Damian Lillard has shown the drive, leadership and ability to justify his selection in the draft.

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