The Portland Trail Blazers are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The franchise was founded in the 1970–71 NBA season.[1] The team made their first draft pick in the 1970 NBA draft and have selected 279 players total.[2] The franchise won its only NBA championship in 1977, when the team was led by their 1974 first overall pick, Bill Walton, as well as multiple other former draft picks who went on to have their numbers retired by Portland. Many of the players selected have gone on to have accomplished careers while playing for the team. Clyde Drexler and Damian Lillard hold multiple Blazer records and are first in many stats. Along with Walton and Drexler, two other draft picks, Dražen Petrović and Arvydas Sabonis, went on to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after their playing careers ended, with Petrović being inducted posthumously.
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Portland has held the first overall pick four times, selecting Walton in 1974, LaRue Martin in 1972, Mychal Thompson in 1978, and Greg Oden in 2007. Three players drafted by Portland won the Rookie of the Year award. Geoff Petrie, the franchise's first ever draft pick, was named co-Rookie of the Year with Dave Cowens of the Boston Celtics in 1971. Sidney Wicks won the award the next season after being selected second overall in the 1971 NBA draft, and Lillard won in 2013 after being drafted sixth overall in the 2012 NBA draft.
History
The Trail Blazers first participated in the 1970 NBA draft on March 23, before their inaugural NBA season. Before each draft, an NBA draft lottery determines the first round selection order for the teams that missed the playoffs during the prior season.[3] Teams can also trade their picks, which means that teams may have more or less than two picks in some drafts, although they must have at least one first-round pick every other year.[4] Until 1968, there were a total of 21 rounds in the draft. The number of rounds shrank gradually over the following years, until 1989 when the current format began.[5] The first pick in the Trail Blazers' history was Geoff Petrie, a guard from Princeton University who was selected 8th overall in 1970. Petrie played for the Blazers for his entire career, playing from 1970–1976. He was a 2x NBA All-Star and was named co-rookie of the year with Dave Cowens of the Boston Celtics in 1971. Petrie averaged 21.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 446 games.[6][7]
First overall picks
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The Blazers have had the first pick in the NBA draft four times in franchise history. In 1972, they chose center LaRue Martin from Loyola Chicago. The team then chose UCLA center Bill Walton in 1974,[8] forward/center Mychal Thompson from Minnesota in 1978 after a trade the day before the draft with the Indiana Pacers to acquire the pick,[9] and most recently Greg Oden center from Ohio State in 2007.[8]
Martin spent his entire career in Portland, playing from 1972 to 1976, and averaged 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 271 games.[10] Walton played for the Blazers from 1974–1979, helping lead the team to the only championship in franchise history in 1977. The team defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4–2 and Walton was named as the Finals MVP after averaging 18.5 points, 19.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.7 blocks during the series.[11] Walton went on to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award the following season.[12] Other accomplishments Walton achieved while in Portland are being a 2x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team, including First Team in 1978, and 2x All-Defensive First Team. He also led the league in rebounding (14.37 per game) and blocks (3.5 per game) in 1977.[12] In his Blazers career, Walton averaged 17.1 points, a franchise record 13.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and a franchise co-leader 2.6 blocks in 209 games.[13][14] Thompson played in Portland from 1978–1986, where he was named NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1979. He averaged 16.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 551 games.[15] He is the franchise leader for total blocks (768) and second in defensive rebounds (3,389).[14] Oden had a lot of hype coming out of Ohio State, with a strong debate over who the Blazers should choose between him and Kevin Durant.[16][17][18] Oden was in Portland from 2007–2012, only playing in 82 games total due to an injury riddled career that began before he could even play an NBA game, as he had season-ending microfracture surgery before his rookie season began.[19][20] Oden averaged 9.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game.[19]
Rookies of the year
Portland has had four players named Rookie of the Year, three of whom were drafted by the team: Petrie, Sidney Wicks, and Lillard.[21] Wicks was drafted 2nd overall in 1971. He played with the team from 1971 to 1976, where he was a 4x All-Star. He averaged the most minutes played per game (38.8) in franchise history, as well as the second most rebounds per game (10.3), and he is tied for the second most triple-doubles (7). Wicks averaged 22.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 398 games.[22]
Franchise stat leaders
Clyde Drexler is one of the most accomplished players in franchise history. The Blazers drafted Drexler #14 overall in 1983 out of Houston. Drexler was an eight time All-Star in Portland, while also being named to an All-NBA Team four times, including First Team in 1992.[23] Drexler scored 18,040 points, which ranks second in franchise history, only behind Damian Lillard. He is the franchise leader for games played (867), minutes played (29,496), two-point field goals made (6,425), total field goals (6,889), offensive rebounds (2,227), steals (1,795), steals per game (2.1), and triple doubles (18). Along with points, Drexler is second for free throws made (3,798) and total rebounds (5,339).[14] As a Blazer, Drexler averaged 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.1 steals in 867 games.[23]
Lillard was drafted 6th overall in 2012 after a trade deadline deal with the New Jersey Nets the previous March.[24][25] Lillard became just the fourth player to unanimously win the Rookie of the Year Award.[26] He was a 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA, including First Team in 2018, NBA Three-Point Contest in 2023, and NBA Teammate of the Year in 2021.[27] Lillard became the team's all-time scoring leader on December 19, 2022, passing Drexler.[28] Later that season, Lillard broke his own franchise record for points in a game, scoring 71 points and making 13 three pointers in a 131–114 victory over the Houston Rockets. At the age of 32, Lillard became the oldest player in NBA history to score 70 points in a game, and the only player age 30 or older to accomplish the feat.[29] Along with being the franchise scoring leader, Lillard is also the record holder for points per game (25.2), free throw percentage (.895), three point field goals (2,387), and made free throws (4,427). He is second for minutes played (27,942), field goals made (6,281), and assists (5,151).[14] Lillard averaged the aforementioned franchise high 25.2 points, along with 4.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 3.1 three pointers made in 769 games.[27]
NBA anniversary teams and Olympians
Walton and Drexler were both named to the NBA 50th and 75th anniversary teams in 1996 and 2021 respectively, while Lillard was named to the 75th anniversary team.[30][31] During their time with the Blazers, both Drexler and Lillard won Olympic gold medals. Drexler won at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona as a member of the Dream Team, and Lillard won at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[32][33] Arvydas Sabonis won one gold and two bronze medals, winning one of the bronzes as a member of the Blazers while representing Lithuania in 1996 in Atlanta.[34]
Retired numbers
Nine draft picks have had their number retired by the Blazers, most of whom were part of the 1977 championship team: Dave Twardzik (#13), Lionel Hollins (#14), Larry Steele (#15), Drexler (#22), Bob Gross (#30), Terry Porter (#30), Walton (#32), Lloyd Neal (#36), and Petrie (#45).[35] Twardzik was drafted 20th overall in 1972, but played for the Virginia Squires of the American Basketball Association (ABA) before he joined the Blazers. He played with the team from 1976–1980 and was part of the championship team in 1977. He averaged 9.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 280 games.[36] Hollins was drafted 6th overall in 1975 and played in Portland from 1975–1980, winning the championship with the team. He was an All-Star once and a member of the NBA All-Defensive Team twice, including First Team in 1978. Hollins averaged 13.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.9 steals in 315 games.[37] Steele was another member of the championship team after being drafted 31st overall in 1971, playing from 1971–1979. He led the NBA in steals in 1974, playing in a total of 610 games, averaging 8.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 assists.[38] Gross was drafted 25th overall in the 1975 NBA draft and played for Portland from 1975–1982. He was a member of the championship team and part of the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1978. He averaged 9.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in 486 games.[39] Porter was drafted 24th overall in the 1985 NBA draft and was a 2x All-Star. He played for the Blazers from 1985–1995. He is the franchise leader for total assists (5,319), second in steals (1,182), and is tied for second for triple-doubles (7).[14] Porter averaged 14.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in 758 games.[40] Neal was drafted 31st overall in 1972 and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He was a member of the championship team, playing in Portland from 1972 to 1979. He averaged 11.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 435 games.[41]
Hall of famers
Six players who have played for the Blazers in their careers have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, with four of them being drafted by Portland: Walton (inducted in 1993), Dražen Petrović (2002), Drexler (2004 as a player, 2010 as a member of the Dream Team), and Sabonis (2011).[34][42][43] Drexler and the Dream Team were also inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009, while Petrović (2007, posthumously) and Sabonis (2010) were inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.[44][45][46] Petrović was drafted 60th overall in the 1986 NBA draft, but stayed overseas for a few seasons. He played from 1989–1991 in Portland, where he averaged 7.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 95 games.[47] Sabonis was drafted #24 overall in 1986 NBA draft, but did not play for the Blazers until the 1995–96 NBA season at the age of 30. He was named NBA All-Rookie First Team and played with Portland until he retired from the NBA after the 2000–01 NBA season. Sabonis returned to the team for the 2002–03 NBA season after a season with Žalgiris before permanently retiring from the NBA. For his career in Portland, Sabonis averaged 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 470 games.[48]
Selections
The Blazers have made a total of 279 selections since their first draft in 1970. As a result of trades prior to the drafts, the team had no picks in 1998, 1999, 2014, 2016, or 2021.[2]
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | Guard | PG | Point guard |
| SG | Shooting guard | F | Forward |
| SF | Small forward | PF | Power forward |
| C | Center | — | — |
| Symbol | Meaning | Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| * | Hall of Famer | (#) | Retired Blazers' Number |
| § | All-Star | + | First Overall Draft Pick |
| ‡ | Hall of Fame, All-Star, and first overall pick | † | Hall of Fame and All-Star |
| Δ | All-Star and Rookie of the Year | — | — |
| Draft | Round | Pick | Player | Nationality | Position | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1 | 8 | Geoff PetrieΔ (#45) |  United States | G | Princeton |
| 2 | 25 | Walt Gilmore | United States | F | Fort Valley State | |
| 3 | 42 | Bill Cain | United States | F | Iowa State | |
| 4 | 59 | Jim Penix | United States | G | Bowling Green | |
| 5 | 76 | Ron Knight | United States | F | Cal State Los Angeles | |
| 6 | 93 | George Janky | United States | F | Dayton | |
| 7 | 110 | Claude English | United States | F | Rhode Island | |
| 8 | 127 | Doug Boyd | United States | F | TCU | |
| 9 | 144 | Billy Gaskins | United States | G | Oregon | |
| 10 | 161 | Israel Oliver | United States | F | Elizabeth City State | |
| 11 | 176 | Dan McLemore | United States | F | Bowling Green | |
| 12 | 188 | Paul Adams | United States | F | Central Washington | |
| 13 | 199 | Alex Boyd | United States | F | Nevada | |
| 14 | 208 | Frank Lothridge | United States | F | UT Rio Grande Valley | |
| 15 | 218 | Wayne Canaday | United States | F | Miami (FL) | |
| 16 | 226 | Doug Williams | United States | F | St. Mary's (Texas) | |
| 18 | 235 | Bruce Butchko | United States | F | Southern Illinois | |
| 19 | 239 | Mark Gabriel | United States | F | Hanover College | |
| 1971 | 1 | 2 | Sidney WicksΔ | United States | F/C | UCLA |
| 2 | 25 | Charlie Yelverton (from San Francisco)[a] | United States | G/F | Fordham | |
| 2 | 27 | Rick Fisher (from Baltimore)[b] | United States | F | Colorado State | |
| 3 | 37 | Larry Steele (#15) | United States | G/F | Kentucky | |
| 3 | 42 | William Smith (from San Francisco)[a] | United States | C | Syracuse | |
| 4 | 54 | Bobby Fields | United States | G | La Salle | |
| 5 | 71 | Hector Blondet |  Puerto Rico | SG | Murray State | |
| 6 | 88 | Jim Day | United States | F | Morehead State | |
| 7 | 105 | Gene Knolle | United States | G | Texas Tech | |
| 8 | 122 | John Sutter | United States | F | Tulane | |
| 9 | 139 | Goo Kennedy | United States | F/C | Texas Christian | |
| 10 | 155 | Greg Starrick | United States | G | Southern Illinois | |
| 11 | 171 | Howard Burford | United States | F | Gonzaga | |
| 12 | 185 | Don Sechler | United States | C | Delaware Valley College | |
| 1972 | 1 | 1 | LaRue Martin* | United States | C | Loyola (Chicago) |
| 2 | 14 | Bob Davis | United States | F | Weber State | |
| 2 | 26 | Dave Twardzik (#13) (from Golden State)[a] | United States | G | Old Dominion | |
| 2 | 30 | Ollie Johnson (from Los Angeles)[c] | United States | F | Temple | |
| 3 | 31 | Lloyd Neal (#36) | United States | F/C | Tennessee State | |
| 4 | 48 | Gary Stewart | United States | F | Canisius | |
| 5 | 64 | Mike Reid | United States | G | UC Riverside | |
| 6 | 81 | Joe Gaines | United States | F | Belmont | |
| 7 | 98 | Bob Lynn | United States | F | Cal State Long Beach | |
| 8 | 114 | Ruben Vance | United States | G | Kent State | |
| 9 | 130 | Scott McCandlish | United States | C | Virginia | |
| 10 | 144 | Krešimir Ćosić |  Croatia | C | BYU | |
| 11 | 157 | Jimmy Wilkins | United States | G | San Diego State | |
| 13 | 175 | Larry Morris | United States | F | Tulsa | |
| 14 | 181 | Paul Kelley | United States | F | Shaw | |
| 15 | 188 | Rich Habegger | United States | F | Wake Forest | |
| 16 | 193 | Mose Adolph | United States | G | Cal State Los Angeles | |
| 1973 | 1 | 15 | Barry Parkhill (from Los Angeles via Cleveland)[d] | United States | G | Virginia |
| 4 | 55 | Bird Averitt | United States | G | Pepperdine | |
| 5 | 71 | Fran Costello | United States | F | Providence | |
| 6 | 89 | Neal Jurgensen | United States | F | Oregon State | |
| 7 | 105 | Larry Hollyfield | United States | F | UCLA | |
| 8 | 123 | Lindell Reason | United States | G | Eastern Michigan | |
| 9 | 139 | Mike Contreras | United States | G | Arizona State | |
| 10 | 154 | Sam Whitehead | United States | F | Oregon State | |
| 11 | 167 | Eddie Payne | United States | G | Wake Forest | |
| 12 | 177 | Rick Holdt | United States | F | NC State | |
| 1974 | 1 | 1 | Bill Walton‡ (#32) | United States | F/C | UCLA |
| 2 | 20 | Jan van Breda Kolff | United States | G/F | Vanderbilt | |
| 2 | 34 | Phil Lumpkin (from Chicago)[e] | United States | G | Miami (Ohio) | |
| 2 | 36 | Rubin Collins (from Milwaukee via Philadelphia)[f] | United States | G | Maryland-Eastern Shore | |
| 4 | 56 | Mickey Johnson | United States | F | Aurora | |
| 5 | 74 | Bernard Hardin | United States | F | New Mexico | |
| 6 | 92 | Daniel Anderson | United States | G | USC | |
| 7 | 110 | Doug Richards | United States | G | BYU | |
| 8 | 128 | Eldridge Broussard | United States | G | Pacific University | |
| 9 | 146 | Lee Haven | United States | G | Colorado | |
| 10 | 163 | Ron Jones | United States | G | Oregon State | |
| 1975 | 1 | 6 | Lionel Hollins§ (#14) | United States | G | Arizona State |
| 2 | 25 | Bob Gross (#30) | United States | G/F | Long Beach State | |
| 3 | 42 | Tom Roy | United States | F | Maryland | |
| 3 | 50 | Gus Gerard (from Chicago)[g] | United States | G/F | Spirits of St. Louis (ABA)[58] | |
| 4 | 61 | Phil Hicks | United States | F | Tulane | |
| 5 | 78 | Maurice Presley | United States | C | Houston | |
| 6 | 97 | Gerald Willett | United States | F | Oregon | |
| 7 | 114 | Steve Fields | United States | F | Miami University | |
| 8 | 133 | Charlie Neal | United States | G | Oregon State | |
| 9 | 149 | Quentin Braxton | United States | F | Portland | |
| 10 | 166 | Tyree Foster | United States | F | Portland | |
| 1976 | 1 | 5 | Wally Walker | United States | F | Virginia |
| 2 | 20 | Major Jones (from Kansas City via New Orleans)[h] | United States | F | Albany State | |
| 2 | 22 | Johnny Davis | United States | G | Dayton | |
| 3 | 39 | Jeff Tyson | United States | G | Western Michigan | |
| 4 | 56 | David Everett | United States | G | Grand Canyon | |
| 5 | 73 | Gary Redding | United States | F | Auburn | |
| 7 | 109 | Al DeWitt | United States | F | Weber State | |
| 8 | 127 | Brant Gibler | United States | F | Puget Sound | |
| 9 | 145 | Rob Torresdal | United States | F | Linfield University | |
| 10 | 162 | Marquinhos Leite |  Brazil | C | Pepperdine | |
| 1977 | 1 | 19 | Rich Laurel | United States | G | Hofstra |
| 2 | 28 | Kim Anderson (from New Orleans)[i] | United States | F | Missouri | |
| 2 | 41 | T.R. Dunn | United States | G/F | Alabama | |
| 3 | 63 | Ricky Brown | United States | C | Alabama | |
| 4 | 85 | Greg White | United States | F | USC | |
| 5 | 107 | Donn Wilber | United States | C | La Salle | |
| 6 | 128 | Myron Jordan | United States | F | University of the Pacific | |
| 7 | 148 | Don Smith | United States | F | Oregon State | |
| 8 | 167 | Harold Rhodes | United States | G | Washington | |
| 1978 | 1 | 1 | Mychal Thompson* (from Indiana)[j] |  Bahamas | F/C | Minnesota |
| 1 | 7 | Ron Brewer (from Detroit via Seattle)[k] | United States | G | Arkansas | |
| 2 | 24 | Keith Herron (from Buffalo via Atlanta)[l] | United States | G/F | Villanova | |
| 2 | 44 | Clemon Johnson | United States | F/C | Florida A&M | |
| 3 | 66 | Sterling Edmonds | United States | F | Dartmouth | |
| 5 | 110 | Clay Johnson | United States | G | Missouri | |
| 6 | 131 | Tim Evans | United States | F | Puget Sound | |
| 7 | 152 | Walter Reason | United States | G | Pacific University | |
| 8 | 170 | Mark Wickman | United States | F | Linfield University | |
| 9 | 186 | Paul Cozens | United States | F | Holy Cross | |
| 10 | 202 | Tim Warkentin | United States | F | Biola University | |
| 1979 | 1 | 12 | Jim Paxson§ | United States | G/F | Dayton |
| 2 | 40 | Andrew Fields (from San Antonio via Seattle)[m] | United States | F | Cheyney State | |
| 3 | 56 | Mickey Fox | United States | G | Saint Mary's University | |
| 4 | 78 | Darryl Robinson | United States | G | Appalachian State | |
| 5 | 100 | Matt White | United States | C | Penn | |
| 6 | 120 | Ray Ellis | United States | C | Pepperdine | |
| 7 | 140 | Jeff Tropf | United States | F | Central Michigan | |
| 8 | 159 | Willie Pounds | United States | F | Chaminade University of Honolulu | |
| 9 | 177 | Stan Eckwood | United States | G | Harding University | |
| 10 | 195 | Kelvin Small | United States | F | Oregon | |
| 1980 | 1 | 10 | Ronnie Lester (traded to Chicago)[n] | United States | G | Iowa |
| 2 | 32 | David Lawrence (from Indiana)[o] | United States | F | McNeese State | |
| 2 | 33 | Bruce Collins | United States | G/F | Weber State | |
| 3 | 56 | Mike Harper | United States | F/C | North Park | |
| 4 | 79 | Kelvin Henderson | United States | F | Saint Louis | |
| 5 | 102 | Larry Belin | United States | F | New Mexico | |
| 6 | 125 | Perry Mirkovich |  Canada | G | University of Lethbridge | |
| 7 | 148 | Gig Sims | United States | C | UCLA | |
| 8 | 168 | John Stroeder | United States | F | Montana | |
| 9 | 188 | Rick Boucher | United States | G | Maine | |
| 10 | 205 | Dave Kufeld | United States | F | Yeshiva University | |
| 1981 | 1 | 15 | Jeff Lamp | United States | G/F | Virginia |
| 1 | 16 | Darnell Valentine (from Chicago)[p] | United States | G | Kansas | |
| 2 | 26 | Brian Jackson (from New Jersey via Indiana)[q] | United States | F | Utah State | |
| 3 | 50 | Derek Holcomb (from Cleveland)[r] | United States | C | Illinois | |
| 3 | 61 | Pétur Guðmundsson |  Iceland | C | Washington | |
| 4 | 85 | Peter Verhoeven | United States | F | Fresno State | |
| 5 | 107 | Herb Andrew | United States | G | South Alabama | |
| 6 | 131 | Roshern Amie | United States | F | UTEP | |
| 7 | 153 | Julius Wayne | United States | G | UTEP | |
| 8 | 176 | John Smith | United States | F | Saint Joseph's | |
| 9 | 196 | Sid Williams | United States | F | San Jose State | |
| 10 | 217 | Steve Cochran | United States | G | Lewis & Clark College | |
| 1982 | 1 | 11 | Lafayette Lever§ | United States | PG | Arizona State |
| 2 | 33 | Linton Townes | United States | SF | James Madison | |
| 2 | 37 | Audie Norris (from Golden State)[s] | United States | C | Jackson State | |
| 3 | 66 | Phillip Lockett (from Milwaukee)[t] | United States | F | Alabama | |
| 4 | 79 | Eric Smith | United States | F | Georgetown | |
| 5 | 103 | Cherokee Rhone | United States | F | Centenary | |
| 6 | 125 | Leo Cunningham | United States | C | Utah State | |
| 7 | 149 | Terry Long | United States | G | Lamar | |
| 8 | 171 | Dave Porter | United States | F | Western Oregon | |
| 9 | 195 | Mark Dearborn | United States | F | Saint Joseph's | |
| 10 | 215 | Grant Taylor | United States | F | UC Irvine | |
| 1983 | 1 | 14 | Clyde Drexler† (#22) (from Denver)[u] | United States | SG | Houston |
| 2 | 39 | Granville Waiters | United States | C | Ohio State | |
| 3 | 62 | Tom Piotrowski | United States | C | La Salle | |
| 4 | 85 | Tim Dunham | United States | G | Chaminade University of Honolulu | |
| 5 | 108 | Gary Monroe | United States | F | Wright State | |
| 6 | 131 | Derrick Pope | United States | F | Montana | |
| 7 | 154 | Paul Little | United States | F | Penn | |
| 8 | 177 | Frank Smith | United States | C | Arizona | |
| 9 | 199 | Phil Hopson | United States | F | Idaho | |
| 10 | 220 | Russ Christianson | United States | F | Eastern Oregon | |
| 1984 | 1 | 2 | Sam Bowie (from Indiana)[v] | United States | F/C | Kentucky |
| 1 | 19 | Bernard Thompson | United States | G/F | Fresno State | |
| 2 | 26 | Victor Fleming (from Chicago via Indiana)[w] | United States | G | Xavier | |
| 2 | 33 | Steve Colter (from Denver)[u] | United States | G | New Mexico State | |
| 2 | 46 | Jerome Kersey (from L.A. Lakers)[x] | United States | F | Longwood | |
| 3 | 65 | Tim Kearney | United States | C | West Virginia | |
| 4 | 88 | Brett Applegate | United States | F | BYU | |
| 5 | 111 | Mike Whitmarsh | United States | F | San Diego | |
| 6 | 134 | Lance Ball | United States | C | Western Oregon | |
| 7 | 157 | Victor Anger | United States | F | Pepperdine | |
| 8 | 180 | Steve Flint | United States | F | UC San Diego | |
| 9 | 202 | Dennis Black | United States | F | Portland | |
| 10 | 224 | Randy Dunn | United States | F | George Fox | |
| 1985 | 1 | 24 | Terry Porter§ (#30) (from Boston via Dallas)[y] | United States | PG | Wisconsin–Stevens Point |
| 2 | 25 | Mike Smrek (from Golden State)[s] | Canada | C | Canisius | |
| 2 | 39 | George Montgomery | United States | C | Illinois | |
| 3 | 61 | Perry Young | United States | SG | Virginia Tech | |
| 4 | 85 | Joe Atkinson | United States | F | Oklahoma State | |
| 5 | 107 | James Anderson | United States | F | Union College | |
| 6 | 131 | Curtis Moore | United States | G | Nebraska | |
| 7 | 153 | Mark Owen | United States | G | College of Idaho | |
| 1986 | 1 | 14 | Walter Berry | United States | PF | St. John's |
| 1 | 24 | Arvydas Sabonis* (from Boston via L.A. Clippers)[z] |  Soviet Union(  Lithuania) | C | Zalgiris (USSR/Lithuania) | |
| 2 | 37 | Panagiotis Fasoulas |  Greece | C | NC State | |
| 3 | 49 | Juden Smith (from Indiana)[aa] | United States | F | UTEP | |
| 3 | 60 | Dražen Petrović* |  Yugoslavia( Croatia) | SG | Cibona (Yugoslavia/Croatia) | |
| 4 | 83 | David Shaffer | United States | F | Florida State | |
| 5 | 106 | Jerry Adams | United States | F | Oregon | |
| 6 | 129 | Tony Hampton | United States | G | Montana State | |
| 7 | 152 | Randy Schiff | United States | G | Linfield University | |
| 1987 | 1 | 17 | Ronnie Murphy | United States | SG | Jacksonville |
| 2 | 29 | Lester Fonville (from Indiana)[ab] | United States | C | Jackson State | |
| 2 | 30 | Nikita Wilson (from Phoenix)[ac] | United States | PF | LSU | |
| 3 | 63 | Kevin Gamble | United States | SG | Iowa | |
| 4 | 86 | Norwood Barber | United States | G | Florida State | |
| 5 | 109 | David Moss | United States | F | Tulsa | |
| 6 | 132 | Bernard Jackson | United States | G | Loyola Chicago | |
| 7 | 155 | Kenny Stone | United States | F | George Fox | |
| 1988 | 1 | 21 | Mark Bryant | United States | PF | Seton Hall |
| 2 | 26 | Rolando Ferreira |  Brazil | C | Arizona | |
| 3 | 53 | Anthony Mason§ (from Golden State)[ad] | United States | F | Tennessee State | |
| 3 | 71 | Craig Neal | United States | G | Georgia Tech | |
| 1989 | 1 | 22 | Byron Irvin | United States | SG | Missouri |
| 2 | 36 | Clifford Robinson§ | United States | PF/C | Connecticut | |
| 1990 | 1 | 25 | Alaa Abdelnaby |  Egypt United States | PF | Duke |
| 1991 | 2 | 54 | Marcus Kennedy | United States | PF | Eastern Michigan |
| 1992 | 1 | 26 | Dave Johnson | United States | SF | Syracuse |
| 2 | 31 | Reggie Smith | United States | C | TCU | |
| 1993 | 1 | 21 | James Robinson | United States | SG | Alabama |
| 2 | 48 | Kevin Thompson | United States | C | NC State | |
| 1994 | 1 | 17 | Aaron McKie | United States | SG | Temple |
| 2 | 43 | Shawnelle Scott | United States | C | St. John's | |
| 1995 | 1 | 8 | Shawn Respert (from Detroit, traded to Milwaukee)[ae] | United States | SG | Michigan State |
| 1996 | 1 | 17 | Jermaine O'Neal§ | United States | F/C | Eau Claire HS (Columbia, South Carolina) |
| 2 | 46 | Marcus Brown | United States | G | Murray State | |
| 1997 | 2 | 48 | Alvin Williams | United States | G | Villanova |
| 2000 | 1 | 28 | Erick Barkley | United States | PG | St. John's |
| 2001 | 1 | 19 | Zach Randolph§ | United States | PF | Michigan State |
| 2 | 49 | Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje |  Cameroon | C | Georgetown | |
| 2002 | 1 | 21 | Qyntel Woods | United States | SF | NE Mississippi CC |
| 2 | 43 | Jason Jennings (from Toronto via Chicago)[af] | United States | C | Arkansas State | |
| 2 | 51 | Federico Kammerichs |  Argentina | SF | Ourense (Spain) | |
| 2003 | 1 | 23 | Travis Outlaw | United States | SF | Starkville HS (Starkville, Mississippi) |
| 2 | 54 | Nedžad Sinanović |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | C | Brotnjo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) | |
| 2004 | 1 | 13 | Sebastian Telfair | United States | PG | Lincoln HS (Brooklyn, New York) |
| 1 | 23 | Sergei Monia |  Russia | SG | CSKA Moscow (Russian Basketball Super League) | |
| 2 | 47 | Ha Seung-Jin |  South Korea | C | Yonsei University (South Korea) | |
| 2005 | 1 | 6 | Martell Webster (from Utah)[ag] | United States | G/F | Seattle Prep. School (Seattle, Washington) |
| 1 | 27 | Linas Kleiza (from Dallas via Utah, traded to Denver)[ag][ah] | Lithuania | F | Missouri | |
| 2 | 35 | Ricky Sánchez | Puerto Rico | F | IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) | |
| 2006 | 1 | 4 | Tyrus Thomas (traded to Chicago)[ai] | United States | F | LSU |
| 1 | 30 | Joel Freeland (from Detroit via Utah)[aj] |  United Kingdom | F | Gran Canaria (Spain) | |
| 2 | 31 | James White (traded to Indiana)[ak] | United States | G | Cincinnati | |
| 2007 | 1 | 1 | Greg Oden* | United States | C | Ohio State |
| 2 | 37 | Josh McRoberts | United States | F | Duke | |
| 2 | 42 | Derrick Byars (from Indiana,[al] traded to Philadelphia)[am] | United States | G/F | Vanderbilt | |
| 2 | 52 | Taurean Green (from Toronto)[an] | United States | G | Florida | |
| 2 | 53 | Demetris Nichols (from Chicago,[ai] traded to New York)[ao] | United States | F | Syracuse | |
| 2008 | 1 | 13 | Brandon Rush (traded to Indiana)[ap] | United States | F | Kansas |
| 2 | 33 | Joey Dorsey (from Memphis[aq], traded to Houston)[ar] | United States | F | Memphis | |
| 2 | 36 | Ömer Aşık (from New York[ao], traded to Chicago)[as] |  Turkey | C | Fenerbahçe Ülker (Turkey) | |
| 2 | 55 | Mike Taylor (from Phoenix via Indiana[at], traded to LA Clippers)[au] | United States | G | Idaho Stampede (D-League) | |
| 2009 | 1 | 22 | Víctor Claver (from Dallas)[av] |  Spain | SF | Pamesa Valencia (Spain) |
| 2 | 33 | Dante Cunningham (from LA Clippers)[aw] | United States | PF | Villanova | |
| 2 | 38 | Jon Brockman (from New York via Chicago,[ax] traded to Sacramento)[ay] | United States | PF | Washington | |
| 2 | 55 | Patrick Mills (from Denver)[ax] |  Australia | PG | Saint Mary's (CA) | |
| 2010 | 1 | 22 | Elliot Williams | United States | SG | Memphis |
| 2 | 34 | Armon Johnson (from Golden State)[az] | United States | PG | Nevada | |
| 2011 | 1 | 21 | Nolan Smith | United States | G | Duke |
| 2 | 51 | Jon Diebler | United States | SG | Ohio State | |
| 2012 | 1 | 6 | Damian LillardΔ (from Brooklyn)[ba] | United States | PG | Weber St. |
| 1 | 11 | Meyers Leonard | United States | C | Illinois | |
| 2 | 40 | Will Barton (from Minnesota via Houston)[bb] | United States | PG | Memphis | |
| 2 | 41 | Tyshawn Taylor (traded to Brooklyn)[bc] | United States | PG | Kansas | |
| 2013 | 1 | 10 | CJ McCollum | United States | PG/SG | Lehigh |
| 2 | 39 | Jeff Withey (from Minnesota via Cleveland and Boston)[bd] | United States | C | Kansas | |
| 2 | 40 | Grant Jerrett (traded to Oklahoma City)[be] | United States | PF | Arizona | |
| 2 | 45 | Marko Todorović (from Boston)[bf] |  Montenegro | PF/C | FC Barcelona (Spain) | |
| 2015 | 1 | 23 | Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (traded to Brooklyn)[bg] | United States | SF | Arizona |
| 2017 | 1 | 15 | Justin Jackson (traded to Sacramento)[bh] | United States | SF | North Carolina |
| 1 | 20 | Harry Giles (from Memphis via Denver and Cleveland,[bi] traded to Sacramento)[bh] | United States | PF/C | Duke | |
| 1 | 26 | Caleb Swanigan (from Cleveland)[bj] | United States | PF | Purdue | |
| 2018 | 1 | 24 | Anfernee Simons | United States | SG | IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) |
| 2019 | 1 | 25 | Nassir Little | United States | SF | North Carolina |
| 2020 | 1 | 16 | Isaiah Stewart (traded to Detroit via Houston)[bk] | United States | PF | Washington |
| 2 | 46 | C. J. Elleby | United States | SG | Washington State | |
| 2022 | 1 | 7 | Shaedon Sharpe | Canada | SG | Kentucky |
| 2 | 36 | Gabriele Procida (traded to Detroit)[bl] |  Italy | SG/SF | Fortitudo Bologna (Italy) | |
| 2 | 57 | Jabari Walker (from Memphis via Utah)[bm] | United States | PF | Colorado | |
| 2023 | 1 | 3 | Scoot Henderson | United States | PG | G League Ignite (NBA G League) |
| 1 | 23 | Kris Murray (from New York)[bn] | United States | PF | Iowa | |
| 2 | 43 | Rayan Rupert (from Atlanta)[bo] |  France | SG | New Zealand Breakers (Australia) |