Editing Portland Trail Blazers (section)

== History ==
{{Main|History of the Portland Trail Blazers}}

=== 1970–1974: Franchise inception ===
[[File:Sidney Wicks – Trail Blazers (1).jpg|thumb|180px|[[Sidney Wicks]], who played in four NBA All-Star Games while with the Trail Blazers, won the 1971–72 NBA Rookie of the Year Award after averaging 24.5 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game.]]
Sports promoter and Trail Blazers founder [[Harry Glickman]] sought a [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) franchise for [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] as far back as 1955 when he proposed two new expansion teams, the other to be located in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1955 |title=Pro hoop aim of local men; Syndicate to seek NBA franchise |work=The Sunday Oregonian |location=Portland, Oregon |page=62}}</ref> When the [[Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Portland, Oregon)|Memorial Coliseum]] was opened in 1960 Glickman saw the potential it could serve as a professional basketball venue but it was not until February 6, 1970, that the NBA board of governors granted him the rights to a franchise in Portland.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dave |date=May 6, 1985 |title=When the Letters Stopped |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19850506&id=cSkoAAAAIBAJ&pg=5434,2739035 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119073535/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19850506&id=cSkoAAAAIBAJ&pg=5434%2C2739035 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> To raise the money for the $3.7 million admission tax, Glickman associated himself to real estate magnates [[Robert Schmertz]] of New Jersey, [[Larry Weinberg]] of Los Angeles and [[Herman Sarkowsky]] of Seattle.<ref name="original">{{Cite news |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |date=January 31, 2013 |title=The original Trail Blazer |url=http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/127501-the-original-trail-blazer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920162550/https://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/127501-the-original-trail-blazer |archive-date=September 20, 2018 |access-date=March 22, 2013 |work=Portland Tribune}}</ref> Two weeks later, on February 24, team management held a contest to select the team's name and received more than 10,000 entries. The most popular choice was "Pioneers", but that name was excluded from consideration as it was already used by sports teams at Portland's [[Lewis & Clark College]]. The name "Trail Blazers" received 172 entries, and was ultimately selected by the judging panel, being revealed on March 13 in the halftime of a SuperSonics game at the Memorial Coliseum. Derived from the [[trail blazing]] activity by explorers making paths through forests, Glickman considered it a name that could "reflect both the ruggedness of the [[Pacific Northwest]] and the start of a major league era in our state". Despite initial mixed response, the Trail Blazers name, often shortened to just "Blazers", became popular in Oregon.<ref name="birth">{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2021 |title=2020–21 Portland Trail Blazers Media Guide |url=https://www.nba.com/resources/static/team/v2/blazers/pdf/2020-21_BlazerMediaGuide.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624215331/https://www.nba.com/resources/static/team/v2/blazers/pdf/2020-21_BlazerMediaGuide.pdf |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}} The information can be found on page 12.</ref> While not directly connected, the Portland Trail Blazers do bear the namesake of the [[Salem Trailblazers]] who played in the [[Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League]] (PCPBL).{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Along with the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] and [[Buffalo Braves]] (now [[Los Angeles Clippers]]), the Trail Blazers entered the NBA in [[1970–71 NBA season|1970]] as an expansion team, under coach [[Rolland Todd]]. [[Geoff Petrie]] and [[Sidney Wicks]] led the team in its early years, and the team failed to qualify for the [[NBA playoffs|playoffs]] in its first six seasons of existence. During that span, the team had three head coaches (including future hall-of-famer [[Lenny Wilkens]]); team executive [[Stu Inman]] also served as coach.<ref name="teamhistory">{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers history |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226171400/http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/history.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |website=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}}</ref> The team won the first pick in the [[NBA draft]] twice during that span. In 1972, the team drafted [[LaRue Martin]] with the number one pick.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-25 |title=Top 5 Biggest NBA Draft Busts Of All Time - CBS Boston |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/top-5-biggest-nba-draft-busts-of-all-time/ |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 1974–1979: Bill Walton era ===
In 1974 the team selected number one pick [[Bill Walton]] from [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]]. The [[ABA–NBA merger]] of 1976 saw those two rival leagues join forces. Four ABA teams joined the NBA; the remaining teams were dissolved and their players distributed among the remaining NBA squads in a [[dispersal draft]]. The Trail Blazers selected [[Maurice Lucas]] in the dispersal draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Learn more about Maurice Lucas |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/Learn_More_About_Maurice_Lucas-64030-41.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116122922/http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/Learn_More_About_Maurice_Lucas-64030-41.html |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |website=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}}</ref> That summer, they also hired [[Jack Ramsay]] as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers Legendary Coach Dr. Jack Ramsay passes away at age 89 |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/trail-blazers-legendary-coach-dr-jack-ramsay-passes-away-age-89 |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Bill Walton and Jack Ramsay.jpeg|180px|thumb|In his first season as the Trail Blazers head coach, [[Jack Ramsay]] led the team to their first playoff berth and eventually [[1977 NBA Finals|the championship]]. [[Bill Walton]] was the [[NBA Finals MVP]].]]
The two moves, coupled with the team's stellar play, led Portland to several firsts: winning record (49–33), playoff appearance, and [[1977 NBA Finals|an NBA championship]] in [[1976–77 NBA season|1977]].<ref name="finals" /> Starting on April 5 of that year, the team began a sellout streak of 814 straight games—the longest in American major professional sports history—which did not end until 1995, after the team moved into a [[Moda Center|larger facility]].<ref name="funding">{{Cite web |year=2003 |title=Company History: Portland Trail Blazers |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Portland-Trail-Blazers-Company-History.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916220945/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Portland-Trail-Blazers-Company-History.html |archive-date=September 16, 2011 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |publisher=Funding Universe}}</ref>

The team started the [[1977–78 NBA season|1977–78 season]] with a 50–10 mark, and some predicted a [[dynasty (sports)|dynasty]] in Portland.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=February 13, 1978 |title=Going Like Blazers: Portland is not just running away from everybody in the NBA, it's mounting an assault on the record books as well |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1978/02/13/going-like-blazers-portland-is-not-just-running-away-from-everybody-in-the-nba-its-mounting-an-assault-on-the-record-books-as-well/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916143457/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093313/index.htm |archive-date=September 16, 2008 |access-date=April 18, 2009 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> However, Bill Walton suffered a foot injury that ended his season and would plague him over the remainder of his career, and the team struggled to an 8–14 finish, going 58–24 overall. In the playoffs, Portland lost to the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] in the 1978 conference semifinals.<ref name="breaks">{{Cite book |last=Halberstam |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/breaksofgame00halb |title=The Breaks of the Game |publisher=Ballantine |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-345-29625-2 |author-link=David Halberstam |url-access=registration}}</ref> That summer, Walton demanded to be traded to a team of his choice ([[Los Angeles Clippers|Clippers]], [[New York Knicks|Knicks]], [[Golden State Warriors|Warriors]], or [[Philadelphia 76ers|76ers]]), because he was unhappy with his medical treatment in Portland.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 21, 1978 |title=Off On A Wronged Foot |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093981/5/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621073727/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093981/5/index.htm |archive-date=June 21, 2009 |access-date=August 20, 2008 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> Walton was never traded, and he held out the entire [[1978–79 NBA season|1978–79 season]] and left the team as a [[free agent]] thereafter.<ref name="redhot">{{Cite book |last=Love |first=Matt |title=Red Hot and Rollin': A Retrospection of the Portland Trail Blazers' 1976–77 NBA Championship Season |publisher=Nestucca Spit Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-9744364-8-7 |location=Pacific City, Oregon |page=119}}</ref> The team was further dismantled as Lucas left in 1980.<ref name="teamhistory" />

=== 1980–1983: Transitioning ===
During the 1980s, the team was a consistent presence in the NBA postseason, failing to qualify for the playoffs only in 1982. However, they never advanced past the conference semifinals during the decade.<ref name="cbs">{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers (team profile) |url=http://www.sportsline.com/nba/teams/history/POR |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016221620/http://sportsline.com/nba/teams/history/POR |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |website=CBS Sportsline.com (NBA) |publisher=[[CBS]] Sports}}</ref> The [[Pacific Division (NBA)|Pacific Division]] of the NBA was dominated by the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] throughout the decade, and only the Lakers and the [[Houston Rockets]] represented the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. Key players for the Blazers during the early 1980s included [[Mychal Thompson]], [[Billy Ray Bates]], [[Fat Lever]], [[Darnell Valentine]], [[Wayne Cooper (basketball)|Wayne Cooper]], [[T. R. Dunn]], [[Jim Paxson]], and [[Calvin Natt]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

=== 1983–1995: The Clyde Drexler era ===

==== Drafting Clyde Drexler ====
[[File:Clyde Drexler 01.jpg|upright|left|thumb|160px|[[Clyde Drexler]] played in Portland from 1983 to 1995.]]
In the [[1983 NBA draft|1983 draft]], the team selected [[Phi Slama Jama|University of Houston]] guard–forward [[Clyde Drexler]] with the 14th pick;<ref name="nbadraft" /> "Clyde the Glide" would become the face of the franchise for over a decade, and the team's second-most decorated player (after Walton).<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Clyde Drexler Biography |encyclopedia=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff edition |publisher=National Basketball Association |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/drexler_bio.html |access-date=November 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215220102/http://www.nba.com/history/players/drexler_bio.html |archive-date=February 15, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[1984 NBA draft|In the next year's draft]], the Trail Blazers landed the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft. After the Houston Rockets selected Drexler's college teammate [[Hakeem Olajuwon]] at No. 1, the Trail Blazers selected [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]] center [[Sam Bowie]]. Drafting third, the [[Chicago Bulls]] selected [[Michael Jordan]]. The selection of the injury-plagued Bowie over Jordan has been criticized as one of the worst draft picks in the history of American professional sports.<ref name="baddraft" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dwyer |first=Kelly |date=June 24, 2005 |title=NBA Draft Busts |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/06/24/gallery.nbabusts/content.20.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114191101/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/06/24/gallery.nbabusts/content.20.html |archive-date=January 14, 2010 |access-date=November 5, 2007 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref> That summer, the Blazers also made a controversial trade, sending Lever, Cooper, and Natt to the [[Denver Nuggets]] for high-scoring forward [[Kiki Vandeweghe]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Denver Nuggets History: 1979 to 1990 |url=http://www.nba.com/nuggets/history/eighties.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202065137/http://www.nba.com/nuggets/history/eighties.html |archive-date=February 2, 2008 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |website=Denver Nuggets official website |publisher=National Basketball Association}}</ref> In the [[1985 NBA draft|1985 draft]], the Blazers selected point guard [[Terry Porter]] with the last pick of the first round. Porter would go on to become one of the top point guards in the league, and the Blazers' all-time leader in assists.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |last=Quick |first=Jason |date=April 10, 2010 |title=Blazers Top 40: No. 3 Terry Porter, the king of three-pointers |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/04/blazers_top_40_no_3_terry_port.html |website=[[The Oregonian]]}}</ref>

[[File:Arvydas Sabonis.jpg|left|thumb|160px|After being drafted by the Trail Blazers several years prior, [[Arvydas Sabonis]] made his NBA debut during the 1995–96 season.]]
However, the Blazers continued to struggle in the postseason, and in 1986, Ramsay was fired and replaced with [[Mike Schuler]]. Despite this, they were the only team to beat the Boston Celtics on the road that season.<ref name="teamhistory" /> That following off-season, the team drafted two players from behind the [[Iron Curtain]], [[Arvydas Sabonis]] and [[Dražen Petrović]],<ref name="nbadraft">{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers Draft History |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/draft.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012111432/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/draft.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=November 5, 2007 |website=basketball-reference.com}}</ref> and sent Thompson to the [[San Antonio Spurs]] for former [[Oregon State Beavers|Oregon State University]] star [[Steve Johnson (basketball)|Steve Johnson]]. Johnson was a high-scoring forward-center who the team intended to pair with Bowie on the frontline. It was not to be, as Bowie broke his leg five games into the [[1986–87 NBA season|1986–87 season]], missing the next two and a half seasons.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 9, 1986 |title=Broken leg sidelines Sam Bowie |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/MH/lib00246,0EB3661A47E857D7.html |work=[[Miami Herald]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1987 |title=Blazers' Bowie breaks his leg—again |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-searc/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB29D8666D6699E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}} {{dead link|date=December 2011|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> During Schuler's brief tenure, the Blazers failed to advance out of the first round of the NBA playoffs.<ref name="cbs" />

==== Paul Allen ownership ====
In 1988, [[Microsoft]] co-founder [[Paul Allen]] purchased the Blazers for $70 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Monte |date=December 4, 2008 |title=Rebound |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/1222/083.html#fe5b2d1f4ca8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214074022/https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/1222/083.html#fe5b2d1f4ca8 |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 13, 2018 |website=Forbes |quote=Allen bought the team [the Trailblazers] in 1988 for $70 million.}}</ref><ref name="sale">{{Cite news |date=June 1, 1988 |title=Trail Blazers Deal |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE4D81739F932A35755C0A96E948260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219091004/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE4D81739F932A35755C0A96E948260 |archive-date=December 19, 2007 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> At the time of the purchase, Allen, then 35, became the youngest team owner in the Big Four professional sports.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2008 |title=Sports Overview |url=https://www.vulcan.com/areas-of-practice/investments/key-initiatives/sports-overview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073648/https://www.vulcan.com/areas-of-practice/investments/key-initiatives/sports-overview |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 13, 2018 |website=Vulcan |publisher=Forbes |quote=In 1988, Paul Allen became the youngest owner in professional sports when he purchased the Portland Trail Blazers at age 35.}}</ref> His first season as owner was one marked by turmoil, as conflicts erupted over who should start at several positions. Both Vandeweghe and Johnson suffered injuries; they were replaced in the starting lineup by [[Jerome Kersey]] and [[Kevin Duckworth]]. Several players, most notably Drexler, were accused of undermining Schuler.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McCallum |first=Jack |author-link=Jack McCallum |date=January 16, 1989 |title=Is anybody happy here? |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref> The team went 25–22 to open the 1988–89 season, and Schuler was fired. He was replaced on an interim basis with assistant coach [[Rick Adelman]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Clifton |date=March 5, 1989 |title=PRO BASKETBALL; Changing Team Chemistry Adds Risk to Equation |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE3DE1E3AF936A35750C0A96F948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321042405/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/05/sports/pro-basketball-changing-team-chemistry-adds-risk-to-equation.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and Vandeweghe was traded to the [[New York Knicks]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldaper |first=Sam |date=April 25, 1989 |title=A Question Mark for Vandeweghe |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DEEDB113EF936A15757C0A96F948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024230/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/25/sports/a-question-mark-for-vandeweghe.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Under Adelman, the team went 14–21 to finish the season, and barely qualified for the playoffs. That off-season, the team traded [[Sam Bowie]] (who had returned to the team to end the season) to the [[New Jersey Nets]] for forward [[Buck Williams]], and Adelman was given the coaching job on a non-interim basis.<ref name="teamhistory" />

==== Reaching the NBA Finals ====
The addition of Williams, and the replacement of the defensively challenged Vandeweghe with the defensive-minded Kersey, turned the team from a poor defensive squad into a good one.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dave |date=December 28, 1990 |title=Man at Work: Buck Blends With Blazers |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEEDA103FF93BA15751C1A966958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024230/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/28/sports/sports-of-the-times-man-at-work-buck-blends-with-blazers.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Led by Drexler, the team reached the NBA Finals in [[1990 NBA Finals|1990]] and [[1992 NBA Finals|1992]], losing to the [[Detroit Pistons]] and [[Chicago Bulls]]. Possibly inspired by the {{nfly|1985}} [[Chicago Bears]]' "[[Super Bowl Shuffle]]", during the run-up to their 1990 Finals appearance, the Blazers recorded two songs: "Bust a Bucket" and "Rip City Rhapsody" (with music played and recorded by Josh Mellicker, "Rip City" being a reference to the city's nickname). The year in between their two finals appearances, the team posted a league-best 63–19 record before losing to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the Western Conference finals, including a heartbreaker in game 6 where, in the final seconds, Cliff Robinson dropped a pass while standing directly under the basket, and then, with a few seconds left, Terry Porter's desperation wide-open 20-footer bounced out. However, the team failed to win an NBA title, and failed to advance past the first round in [[1992–93 NBA season|1993]] and [[1993–94 NBA season|1994]].<ref name="cbs" /> Adelman was fired after the 1994 season,<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 1994 |title=Trail Blazers fire Adelman |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9907E7DE1338F933A15756C0A962958260&sec=&spon= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024204/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/20/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-trail-blazers-fire-adelman.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> and replaced with [[P. J. Carlesimo]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 24, 1994 |title=Carlesimo Leaves Hall To Coach Trail Blazers |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901EED81E3DF937A15755C0A962958260&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/C/Carlesimo,%20P.%20J. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024242/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/24/sports/pro-basketball-carlesimo-leaves-hall-to-coach-trail-blazers.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> which led to the resignation of executive vice-president [[Geoff Petrie]], a close friend of Adelman's.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Powell |first=Shaun |date=May 30, 1994 |title=Allen is ready to write a program for the Blazers |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n22_v217/ai_15278643 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904080620/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n22_v217/ai_15278643 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=[[The Sporting News]]}}</ref>

In July 1994, the Trail Blazers announced the hiring of a new team president, former [[Seattle SuperSonics]] general manager [[Bob Whitsitt]].<ref name="funding" /> Whitsitt, known as "Trader Bob" for his penchant for engaging player-exchange transactions,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nelson |first=Glenn |date=June 22, 1994 |title='Trader Bob' Makes Final Deal |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19940622/1916842/trader-bob-makes-final-deal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010111707/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940622&slug=1916842 |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |access-date=June 24, 2012 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> immediately set about revamping the Blazers roster; this included dismantling the aging Drexler-led team that had twice been to the finals.<ref name="clyde">{{Cite news |last=Drexler |first=Clyde |date=September 3, 2004 |title=It is a crime what has happened |url=http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=25742 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121717/http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=25742 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=Portland Tribune}}</ref> Drexler requested to be traded to a contender, and the Trail Blazers traded him to the [[Houston Rockets]].<ref name="clyde" /> In the fall of 1995, the team left the Memorial Coliseum for a new home, the 20,000-seat [[Rose Garden Arena]].<ref name="teamhistory" /> The sellout streak ended in the new building.<ref name="funding" />

=== 1995–2006: Rebuilding and troubles ===
Several players left in free agency, including [[Terry Porter]] (1995), [[Buck Williams]] (1996), and [[Clifford Robinson (basketball, born 1966)|Clifford Robinson]] (1997).<ref name="cliffy">{{Cite web |title=NBA.com/Stats |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/clifford_robinson/bio.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012105533/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/clifford_robinson/bio.html |archive-date=October 12, 2009 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=nba.com}}</ref> Meanwhile, Trail Blazer management decided to leave [[Jerome Kersey]] unprotected in the [[1995–96 NBA season|1995]] [[expansion draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=All-time NBA Expansion draft results |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/draft_central_expansion_alltime_results.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116123003/http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/draft_central_expansion_alltime_results.html |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |publisher=National Basketball Association}}</ref>

In an effort to quickly rebuild the team's roster, they acquired several players who were highly talented but had negative reputations for off-court troubles. [[Isaiah Rider]] was traded to the team by the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] for a draft pick, and was considered to be a problematic player due to his previous arrests for assault, gambling and marijuana possession.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 1, 1996 |title=Rider still a valuable commodity to Wolves |url=http://www.mndaily.com/articles/1996/07/01/973 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611094136/http://www.mndaily.com/articles/1996/07/01/973 |archive-date=June 11, 2009 |access-date=March 26, 2008 |website=[[Minnesota Daily]]}}</ref> He was arrested for marijuana possession just two days before his expected debut with the Blazers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 1, 1996 |title=Rider Finds Trouble As a Trail Blazer |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A01EFD71E39F932A35752C1A960958260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024244/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/01/sports/riders-finds-trouble-as-a-trail-blazer.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=March 26, 2008 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> [[Rasheed Wallace]], who had garnered a reputation as a hot-tempered player since college,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sokolove |first=Michael |date=November 6, 1995 |title=Rich and famous&nbsp;– Washington Bullets' Rasheed Wallace&nbsp;– NBA Special |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n45_v219/ai_17519462 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904080620/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n45_v219/ai_17519462 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=April 1, 2008 |magazine=[[The Sporting News]]}}</ref> was also acquired in a trade with the [[Washington Bullets]].<ref>[http://articles.philly.com/1996-07-16/sports/25622070_1_bill-ellerbee-blazers-president-bob-whitsitt-rasheed-wallace Bullets Trade Wallace To Blazers: Hawks Sign Mutombo Rasheed Dealt To Blazers Bullets Part With Gratz Star In Trade For Strickland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002534/http://articles.philly.com/1996-07-16/sports/25622070_1_bill-ellerbee-blazers-president-bob-whitsitt-rasheed-wallace |date=March 4, 2016 }}, ''[[Philadelphia Daily News]]''</ref> [[Point guard]] [[Kenny Anderson (basketball)|Kenny Anderson]] was signed as a free agent,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |date=March 17, 1997 |title=Rift city—Portland Trail Blazers |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n11_v221/ai_19220627 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609053758/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n11_v221/ai_19220627 |archive-date=June 9, 2008 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |work=[[The Sporting News]]}}</ref> and subsequently traded to the [[Toronto Raptors]] for [[Damon Stoudamire]] in February 1998; the Raptors traded Anderson to the [[Boston Celtics]] five days later, because he did not want to play in Canada for the 3 year old franchise.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=February 14, 1998 |title=Blazers obtain Stoudamire from Raptors, Darrel Walker resigns |url=http://robots.cnnsi.com/basketball/nba/news/1998/02/14/news.torpordeal.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212033011/http://robots.cnnsi.com/basketball/nba/news/1998/02/14/news.torpordeal.html |archive-date=December 12, 2007 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> The team found success and eventually returned to the Western Conference finals in [[1998–99 NBA season|1999]] under head coach [[Mike Dunleavy Sr.|Mike Dunleavy]].<ref name="teamhistory" /> They beat the Phoenix Suns in the first round, sweeping them 3-0 and made history as it was the first time the Blazers had advanced from the first round since 1992. In the Semi-finals, they defeated the two-time defending Western Conference champions Utah Jazz with a 4–2 victory series. In the Western Conference Finals, they faced the [[San Antonio Spurs]], led by Tim Duncan, and were subsequently defeated in a 4–0 sweep.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

After the failed championship run, Whitsitt sent Rider, who was the leading scorer that season with 13.9 points per game, and guard [[Jim Jackson (basketball)|Jim Jackson]] to the [[Atlanta Hawks]] for guard [[Steve Smith (basketball)|Steve Smith]]. In one of their biggest acquisitions yet, the team added six-time champion and seven-time All-Star [[Scottie Pippen]] from the Houston Rockets. In the 1999–2000 season, the team advanced to the Western Conference finals, where they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 3–1 in the opening round and the Utah Jazz 4–1 in the semifinals. They advanced to the conference finals where they faced a Los Angeles Lakers team led by [[Shaquille O'Neal]] and [[Kobe Bryant]]. In that series, the Trail Blazers lost 3 of the first 4 games but came back to win games 5 and 6, forcing a [[Game seven|game 7]]. The Blazers had a 15-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter, but eventually lost their lead when the Lakers had a 25–4 run. The Trail Blazers lost game 7, 89–84 and the Lakers won the championship.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 5, 2000 |title=Dreadful drought: Blazers dry spell allows Lakers to take Game 7 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2000/playoffs/news/2000/06/04/blazers_lakers_ap/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203012432/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2000/playoffs/news/2000/06/04/blazers_lakers_ap/ |archive-date=December 3, 2007 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>

==== "The Jail Blazers" ====
One of the most infamous periods in Trail Blazers history is the era of the "Jail Blazers." Though the team had experienced its fair share of controversy and issues in prior seasons,<ref name="93scandal">{{cite web |title=Salt Lake City police investigating Blazers |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1993/01/26/salt-lake-city-police-investigating-blazers/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref> many consider the "Jail Blazers" saga starting during the 2000–2001 season. The team made a series of personnel moves in the [[2000–01 NBA season|2000]] and [[2001–02 NBA season|2001]] off-seasons that failed to produce success. Forward [[Jermaine O'Neal]] was traded to the [[Indiana Pacers]] for [[Dale Davis (basketball)|Dale Davis]]. [[Brian Grant]] signed with the [[Miami Heat]], and was replaced with ex-Seattle forward [[Shawn Kemp]].<ref name="Deveney">{{Cite news |last=Deveney |first=Sean |date=August 6, 2001 |title=Blazers make the right move |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_32_225/ai_77227873 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060528083716/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_32_225/ai_77227873 |archive-date=May 28, 2006 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |work=[[The Sporting News]]}}</ref> The team started off well and had a 12-game winning streak in February and March in the regular season. The team signed guard [[Rod Strickland]] mid-season to augment their point guard corps.<ref name="strickland">{{Cite news |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |date=March 9, 2001 |title=Where was L.A. on Strickland? |url=http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=2146 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121717/http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=2146 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=[[Portland Tribune]]}}</ref> The team finished as 6th seed in the Western Conference with a 49–33 record, which qualified them for the playoff finals for the 20th consecutive year. They were eliminated in the first round, losing 0–3 to the Los Angeles Lakers.<ref name="dave" />

Some media outlets began to criticize the team,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patrick |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Patrick (sportscaster) |date=December 6, 2001 |title=Shame on these Fail-Blazers |url=https://www.espn.com/talent/danpatrick/s/2001/0427/1187727.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319150751/http://espn.go.com/talent/danpatrick/s/2001/0427/1187727.html |archive-date=March 19, 2008 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> and questioned Whitsitt's decisions and position as manager.<ref name="dave">{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Dave |date=May 21, 2001 |title=Blazers won't be under control until Whitsitt is |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_21_225/ai_75089858 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904080620/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_21_225/ai_75089858 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=[[The Sporting News]]}}</ref> A popular criticism was that Whitsitt was attempting to win a championship title by assembling a roster of stars, without paying attention to team chemistry.<ref name="dave" /> Longtime NBA coach and analyst, [[Doug Collins (basketball)|Doug Collins]], referred to Whitsitt as a "[[fantasy basketball|rotisserie-league]] manager".<ref name="strickland" /> Fans were publicly disapproving of Whitsitt; one fan even attending a game with a banner reading "Trade Whitsitt" that they displayed in the crowd before eventually getting ejected from the venue. Tensions continued to rise within the franchise and media outlets started reporting on the teams internal personnel issues and the criminal activity that players were involved in. Mainstream media began referring to the team as "The Jail Blazers" because of all these problems.<ref name="rehab">{{Cite news |last=Jung |first=Helen |date=February 20, 2004 |title=Revised Blazers on road to rehabilitation |url=https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/news/hits/040220to.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060920143340/https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/news/hits/040220to.htm |archive-date=September 20, 2006 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=[[The Oregonian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wise |first=Mike |date=November 22, 1997 |title=Anderson, Blissful Blazer With a New Perspective |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00F11FA385F0C718EDDA80994DF494D81 |access-date=March 19, 2011 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Redden |first1=Jim |last2=Giegerich |first2=Andy |date=November 29, 2002 |title='Jail Blazers' image lives on |url=http://thetribonline.com/news/print_story.php?story_id=15264 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121716/http://thetribonline.com/news/print_story.php?story_id=15264 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=Portland Tribune}}</ref>

That off-season, Dunleavy was fired<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 9, 2001 |title=Trail Blazers fire coach Mike Dunleavy |url=http://robots.cnnsi.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/news.dunleavy.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212033021/http://robots.cnnsi.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/news.dunleavy.html |archive-date=December 12, 2007 |access-date=November 2, 2007 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> and replaced with [[Maurice Cheeks]], who was considered a "players' coach" because he was a former player in the NBA. The hiring of Cheeks was thought to be a positive decision as many believed he would relate more to the players than Dunleavy did.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 28, 2001 |title=Blazers name Cheeks as head coach |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/blazers-name-cheeks-as-head-coach-1.279464 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212005516/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2001/06/27/blazers010627.html |archive-date=December 12, 2007 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=CBC Sports |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> Cheeks brought on Dan Panaggio as assistant coach after a failed courtship with Henry Bibby of Southern California.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN.com: NBA – After not getting Bibby, Cheeks picks Panaggio as Blazers assistant |url=http://a.espncdn.com/nba/s/2001/0708/1223947.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404062650/http://a.espncdn.com/nba/s/2001/0708/1223947.html |archive-date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=March 24, 2016 |website=a.espncdn.com}}</ref> More transactions followed as the Blazers traded Steve Smith to the Spurs for [[Derek Anderson (basketball)|Derek Anderson]], but issues began when Shawn Kemp checked himself into a rehab for cocaine use in April 2001. That same season, Whitsitt made one of his most controversial moves in signing free agent [[Ruben Patterson]], who had previously pleaded [[nolo contendere|no contest]] to a felony sexual assault charge and was required to register as a sex offender.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 2001 |title=Patterson signs offer sheet with Blazers |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2001/0730/1232758.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915174404/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2001/0730/1232758.html |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In 2002, police responded to a security alarm alert at Damon Stoudamire's house, though no intruders were there. After smelling marijuana in the home, they searched the premises and found a pound of cannabis located in a crawlspace;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Redden |first=Jim |date=May 28, 2002 |title=An inside look at Damon's pot case |url=http://thetribonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=11752 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121717/http://thetribonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=11752 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=Portland Tribune}}</ref> the search was later declared illegal and all charges were dropped.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 8, 2002 |title=COURT NEWS; Oregon Judge Rules For Stoudamire |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E1DA163AF93BA3575BC0A9649C8B63&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FSubjects%2FM%2FMarijuana |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321042402/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/08/sports/plus-court-news-oregon-judge-rules-for-stoudamire.html?n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes+Topics%2FSubjects%2FM%2FMarijuana |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In 2003, several of the players, including Wallace, Stoudamire, and [[Qyntel Woods]], were cited for marijuana possession.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robbins |first=Liz |date=December 3, 2003 |title=Trail Blazers Trying to Fix a Troubled Family |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFD9123DF935A35751C1A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |access-date=April 1, 2008 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> That same year, Wallace was suspended for seven games for threatening a referee – one of many incidents in his tumultuous relationship with NBA referees, which at the time stemmed from his belief that some of the referees were fixing the games against him and his teammates.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2003 |title=Wallace suspended for threatening ref; Blazers cry foul |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0118/1494990.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915174419/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0118/1494990.html |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="sheed">{{cite web |last1=Wire |first1=Celtics |title=Rasheed Wallace on the moment he learned about ref Tim Donaghy's indictment |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/rasheed-wallace-moment-learned-ref-130025524.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAD8gOQmaNtwtaUU63go_U-d_U5MwuBo0YKt_09HBVcVBrc3Z48P7iUFGtqyDjc4ZHgfTiFJZRQDfsjfyLdMuPPeWCnHubnao0TTGWg5BOyqpeWwK9J6HgbvE-1GT46ouaP6tJVyBrORSsB7S3a-F19MHTb7c-od0hCQgsaMfvSRW |website=Yahoo Sports |date=September 20, 2023 |access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref> Also during the 2003 season, [[Zach Randolph]] and Patterson got into an altercation in the locker room in which Patterson slammed Randolph onto the floor, an incident that later became known as the NBA's "The Slam Heard Around The World."<ref name="fightzachandruben">{{cite web |last1=Price |first1=Joe |title=Rasheed Wallace Recalls Instigating Zach Randolph and Ruben Patterson Locker Room Fight: 'We Felt Real Bad' |url=https://www.complex.com/sports/a/backwoodsaltar/rasheed-wallace-zach-randolph-ruben-patterson-instigate |website=Complex |access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref> The feud between players continued and they later got in a fight during practice, with Randolph [[sucker punch]]ing his teammate and fracturing Patterson's left eye socket, an injury which took Patterson out of their playoff run.<ref>{{Cite news |last=May |first=Peter |date=May 4, 2003 |title=Randolph's punch may KO Blazers' season |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/columns/may_peter/1534008.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915174423/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/columns/may_peter/1534008.html |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2009 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Guard [[Bonzi Wells]] famously told ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' in a 2002 interview: "We're not really going to worry about what the hell (the fans) think about us. They really don't matter to us. They can boo us everyday, but they're still going to ask for our autographs if they see us on the street. That's why they're fans, and we're NBA players." Wells was fined $50,000 by the Blazers for the statement.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Benedict |first=Jeff |url=https://archive.org/details/outofboundsinsid00bene/page/122 |title=Out of Bounds: Inside the NBA's Culture of Rape, Violence, and Crime |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-06-072602-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/outofboundsinsid00bene/page/122 122] |url-access=registration}}</ref> Later in 2005, Woods pleaded guilty to first-degree animal abuse for staging dog fights in his house, some involving his pit bull named Hollywood. Woods' dogs were confiscated, and Woods was given eighty hours of community service. He also agreed to donate $10,000 to the Oregon Humane Society.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2005 |title=Qyntel Woods Pleads Guilty to Animal Abuse Charges |url=http://www.oregonhumane.org/news/QyntelWoodsGuilty.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308153948/http://www.oregonhumane.org/news/QyntelWoodsGuilty.htm |archive-date=March 8, 2008 |access-date=April 1, 2008 |publisher=Oregon Humane Society}}</ref>

In the summer of 2003, attendance to games was steadily declining alongside the team's reputation. With an exorbitant payroll, Whitsitt announced that he would leave the team to focus on Paul Allen's other franchise, the [[Seattle Seahawks]].<ref name="bobquits">{{Cite news |date=May 8, 2003 |title=Blazers President Quits, Leaving Troubled Team |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4DA163FF93BA35756C0A9659C8B63 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

To replace Whitsitt, the team hired two men at new positions. [[John Nash (basketball)|John Nash]], a veteran NBA executive, was hired as general manager,<ref name="nash_hired">{{Cite news |date=July 16, 2003 |title=Report: Blazers Hire Nash As GM |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-75383669.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517102006/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-75383669.html |archive-date=May 17, 2011 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and [[Steve Patterson (sports executive)|Steve Patterson]] as team president.<ref name="steve">{{Cite news |date=June 18, 2003 |title=NBA Basketball: Blazers hire Steve Patterson as new president |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-103597795.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517101950/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-103597795.html |archive-date=May 17, 2011 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=Sports Network}}</ref> The new management promised a focus on character while remaining playoff contenders; the team soon published a "25-Point Pledge" to fans.<ref name="pledge">{{Cite web |title=25 Point Pledge |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/25_point_pledge.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717180334/http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/25_point_pledge.html |archive-date=July 17, 2006 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |website=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}}</ref> Troublesome players including Wells, Wallace, and [[Jeff McInnis]] were traded.<ref name="teamhistory" /> However, the team failed to qualify for the [[2004 NBA playoffs]], ending a streak of 21 consecutive playoff appearances.<ref name="TrailBlazersHistory9206" />

The following year in 2005, the team plummeted to a 27–55 record. The [[Rose Garden arena bankruptcy|bankruptcy of the Oregon Arena corporation]] resulted in the Rose Garden becoming owned by a variety of investment firms. Cheeks was fired that season and replaced on an interim basis by director of player-personnel [[Kevin Pritchard]].<ref name="misery">{{Cite news |last=Robbins |first=Liz |date=March 6, 2005 |title=In Portland, Misery and lots of company |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/sports/basketball/06hoops.ready.html?n=Top/News/Sports/Pro%20Basketball/National%20Basketball%20Association/Portland%20Trail%20Blazers&pagewanted=all&position= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706174121/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/sports/basketball/in-portland-misery-and-lots-of-company.html |archive-date=July 6, 2023 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> That summer the team hired [[Nate McMillan]], who had coached the Sonics the prior season,<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 7, 2005 |title=McMillan leaves Seattle for Portland |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2101994 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102115527/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2101994 |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> as head coach and Pritchard returned to the front office.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In the [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06 season]], the Blazers posted a historic 21–61 record, the worst league record at the time.<ref name="seasonend2006">{{Cite news |last=Ely |first=Brucy |date=April 6, 2006 |title=Fans react as the Trail Blazers season comes to an end |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> Attendance to games decreased, and the year was not free of player incidents. Players such as Miles, Patterson, Randolph, and [[Sebastian Telfair]] were involved in either on-court bickering or off-court legal incidents.<ref name="seasonend2006" /> Nash was fired at the end of the season, with Steve Patterson assuming the general manager role in addition to his duties as president.<ref name="nash_gone">{{Cite news |date=May 31, 2006 |title=Nash won't return as Trail Blazers' general manager |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2463998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713143146/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2463998 |archive-date=July 13, 2007 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In addition, the team had a poor relationship with the management of the Rose Garden, frequently complaining of a "broken economic model".<ref name="nw">{{Cite news |last=Jorgenson |first=Loren |date=February 26, 2006 |title=The not-so-great Northwest |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060226/ai_n16188451 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103203839/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060226/ai_n16188451 |archive-date=November 3, 2007 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |work=Deseret Morning News}}</ref> It was widely speculated by the end of the year that Paul Allen would sell the team, and the team was offered for sale that summer, with several groups expressing interest.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jung |first=Helen |date=June 7, 2006 |title=It's official: Blazers and Rose Garden are for sale |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/06/its_official_blazers_and_rose.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930161637/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/06/its_official_blazers_and_rose.html |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> However, Allen was willing to spend money and urged Pritchard to make draft-day trades. He subsequently took the team off the market.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jung |first=Helen |date=August 3, 2006 |title=Rose Garden statement on no sale of Blazers |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/08/rose_garden_statement_on_no_sa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930161645/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/08/rose_garden_statement_on_no_sa.html |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref>

=== 2006–2012: With Roy, Oden and Aldridge ===
[[File:Brandon Roy Wizards.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|[[Brandon Roy]] was chosen as the [[NBA Rookie of the Year]] after the 2006–07 season.]]
In the 2006 NBA draft, the Blazers traded [[Viktor Khryapa]] and the draft rights for [[Tyrus Thomas]] to acquire [[LaMarcus Aldridge]]. They also traded for the sixth pick, which became Brandon Roy. In the spring of 2007, Steve Patterson resigned as team president,<ref name="lieweke">{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2007 |title=Tod Leiweke to Assume Management Oversight for the Portland Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/TOD_LEIWEKE_TO_ASSUME_MANAGEME-213195-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303074608/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/TOD_LEIWEKE_TO_ASSUME_MANAGEME-213195-1218.html |archive-date=March 3, 2007 |access-date=June 23, 2007 |publisher=Portland Trail Blazers}}</ref> and Paul Allen repurchased the Rose Garden.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Vulcan Inc. completes acquisition of Rose Garden arena |date=April 2, 2007 |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/FINAL%20-%20Rose%20Garden%20Acquisition%20%2800155471%29.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325170431/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/FINAL%20-%20Rose%20Garden%20Acquisition%20%2800155471%29.PDF |archive-date=March 25, 2009 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> On the court, the team finished with a 32–50 record, an 11-game improvement, and Roy was named the 2006–07 Rookie of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 3, 2007 |title=Trail Blazers' Brandon Roy Named 2006–07 T-Mobile NBA Rookie of the Year |url=http://www.nba.com/news/awards2007_rookie.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116115620/http://www.nba.com/news/awards2007_rookie.html |archive-date=January 16, 2012 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |publisher=National Basketball Association}}</ref> That summer, Kevin Pritchard was promoted to general manager,<ref name="kp_gm">{{Cite web |title=Kevin Pritchard named general manager of Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Kevin_Pritchard_Named_General_-218032-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116122930/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Kevin_Pritchard_Named_General_-218032-1218.html |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers website |publisher=Portland Trail Blazers}}</ref> and former Nike executive Larry Miller was hired as team president. The Blazers won the 2007 NBA draft lottery and selected Ohio State center Greg Oden with the No. 1 pick. Some speculated they might choose Kevin Durant instead;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freeman |first=Joe |date=June 22, 2007 |title=Durant wows Blazers |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2007/06/durant_wows_blazers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004053348/http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2007/06/durant_wows_blazers.html |archive-date=October 4, 2008 |access-date=January 27, 2009 |work=Oregon Live}}</ref> Durant was picked at No. 2 by the Seattle SuperSonics. Oden suffered a pre-season knee injury requiring microfracture surgery and missed the entire 2007–08 season.<ref name="odenout">{{Cite news |date=September 14, 2007 |title=Oden's recovery from surgery likely in range of 6–12 months |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3017538 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118074735/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3017538 |archive-date=January 18, 2016 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> Oden's injury woes and Durant's success drew comparisons to the Blazers' selection of Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan in 1984.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Spears |first=Mark J. |date=April 1, 2011 |title=Recovering Oden aware of 'Sam Bowie talk' |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-oden_injury_return_sam_bowie_blazers040111 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810194953/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-oden_injury_return_sam_bowie_blazers040111 |archive-date=August 10, 2011 |access-date=June 24, 2012 |work=Yahoo! Sports}}</ref>

Despite this, the Trail Blazers had a 13-game winning streak starting in early December, resulting in an NBA-best 13–2 record for the month. Nate McMillan won NBA Coach of the Month, and Roy earned NBA Western Conference Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks—the first Blazer to do so since Clyde Drexler in 1990–91. Roy was selected to the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, the first Blazer All-Star since Rasheed Wallace in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brandon Roy Named Western Conference All-Star |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Brandon_Roy_Named_Western_Conf-255617-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212204424/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Brandon_Roy_Named_Western_Conf-255617-1218.html |archive-date=February 12, 2008 |access-date=January 31, 2008 |publisher=NBA}}</ref> The Blazers finished the season 41–41, their best record since 2003–04. Following the season, they became the only NBA team in the Pacific Northwest after the Seattle SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City.

During the 2008–09 season, Greg Oden finally debuted, playing in 61 games. Portland also added international talent with Spanish swingman Rudy Fernández and French-native Nicolas Batum, who emerged as a skilled defensive forward. Roy made his second straight All-Star Game appearance, and Fernández competed in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend. Roy had a career-high 52 points against the Phoenix Suns and hit game-winning shots against the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 All-Star Rosters |url=http://www.nba.com/allstar2009/players/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527211324/http://www.nba.com/allstar2009/players/ |archive-date=May 27, 2009 |access-date=July 25, 2009 |publisher=NBA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2008 |title=Blazers end 11-game skid vs. Phoenix behind Roy's career-high 52 |url=http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=281218022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409171724/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=281218022 |archive-date=April 9, 2009 |access-date=July 25, 2009 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 6, 2008 |title=Roy's buzzer-beating 3-pointer sinks Rockets in overtime |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=281106022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425011635/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=281106022 |archive-date=April 25, 2009 |access-date=July 25, 2009 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2009 |title=Roy's buzzer-beating lay up hands Knicks fourth straight defeat |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290208022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228073931/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290208022 |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |access-date=July 25, 2009 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> The Blazers clinched their first playoff berth since 2003 with a 54–28 record, their best since 2002–03, but lost in the first round to the Houston Rockets in six games.

In the 2009 off-season, the Blazers traded the No. 24 pick to Dallas for the No. 22 pick and selected Víctor Claver. They also picked Villanova forward Dante Cunningham, Jon Brockman, and guard Patrick Mills. Brockman was traded to the Kings for No. 31 pick Jeff Pendergraph. Free agent Channing Frye signed with Phoenix, and Sergio Rodríguez was traded to the Kings. The Blazers attempted to sign free agents Hedo Türkoğlu and Paul Millsap, but Türkoğlu signed with Toronto, and Utah matched the offer for Millsap. On July 24, the Blazers signed point guard Andre Miller.

Despite a winning record, the 2009–10 season was marred by injuries. Reserves Batum and Fernández started on the inactive list, and forward Travis Outlaw followed with a serious foot injury. Centers Oden and Joel Przybilla suffered season-ending knee injuries, while Roy and Aldridge played through various injuries. Head Coach Nate McMillan also ruptured his Achilles tendon during practice. To fill the void at center, the Blazers acquired Marcus Camby from the Clippers for Steve Blake and Outlaw. Despite these challenges, the Blazers finished 50–32, securing the 6th seed in the West. Roy underwent surgery for a torn meniscus but returned for Game 4 of the first-round series against the Phoenix Suns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollinger |first=John |date=April 24, 2010 |title=Roy returns for Trail Blazers |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/TrueHoop/post/_/id/15382/roy-returns-for-trail-blazers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426013351/http://espn.go.com/blog/TrueHoop/post/_/id/15382/roy-returns-for-trail-blazers |archive-date=April 26, 2010 |access-date=April 24, 2010 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> However, the Blazers lost the series 4–2 to the Suns.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2010 |title=Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers – Recap – April 29, 2010 – ESPN |url=http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300429022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501172715/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300429022 |archive-date=May 1, 2010 |access-date=April 30, 2010 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref>
[[File:LaMarcus Aldridge1.jpg|thumb|upright=.7|[[LaMarcus Aldridge]] played the first nine years of his pro career in Portland.]]
During the 2010 off-season, the Blazers' front office saw significant changes with Rich Cho becoming the new general manager, succeeding Kevin Pritchard. Cho became the first Asian-American GM in NBA history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=News & latest headlines from AOL |url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/07/19/portland-trail-blazers-name-rich-cho-general-manager/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910213709/http://www.aolnews.com/2010/07/19/portland-trail-blazers-name-rich-cho-general-manager/ |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=AOL.com}}</ref> On August 12, the Blazers signed two new assistant general managers, Bill Branch and Steve Rosenberry, replacing Tom Penn, who was released in March.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 12, 2010 |title=Trail Blazers name Bill Branch, Steve Rosenberry assistant general managers |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/08/trail_blazers_name_bill_branch.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814124940/http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/08/trail_blazers_name_bill_branch.html |archive-date=August 14, 2010 |access-date=August 12, 2010 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> The organization also made changes to McMillan's coaching staff, hiring Bernie Bickerstaff, Bob Ociepka, and Buck Williams.

Similar to the previous season, the 2010–11 season was plagued by injuries. Jeff Pendergraph and rookie guard Elliot Williams suffered knee injuries, sidelining them for the season. In November, Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee, ending his season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 17, 2010 |title=Breaking news: Blazers Greg Oden faces another microfracture surgery |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/11/breaking_news_blazers_greg_ode.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121032000/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/11/breaking_news_blazers_greg_ode.html |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |access-date=November 18, 2010 |work=[[The Oregonian]] |publisher=OregonLive.com}}</ref> Brandon Roy also underwent double arthroscopic surgery on January 17, 2011, to repair both knees, casting doubt on his future. Days later, Marcus Camby had arthroscopic knee surgery.

Despite the injuries, the Blazers remained competitive, with LaMarcus Aldridge emerging as the focal point of the team. Wesley Matthews also proved his worth in Roy's absence. Believing the team could make a playoff run, Cho made a trade on February 24, 2011, sending Dante Cunningham, Joel Przybilla, and Sean Marks to the Charlotte Bobcats for former All-Star Gerald Wallace.<ref name="sportsillustrated">{{Cite news |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Trail Blazers' abrupt dismissal of GM Cho is simply disgraceful |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ian_thomsen/05/23/rich.cho.blazers/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527071727/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ian_thomsen/05/23/rich.cho.blazers/ |archive-date=May 27, 2011 |access-date=May 24, 2011 |work=CNN}}</ref> The Blazers won 48 games, securing another playoff berth but were eliminated in the first round by the eventual champion Dallas Mavericks in six games.

In the 2011 off-season, the Blazers released Cho, reportedly due to communication and "chemistry issues" with owner Paul Allen. Chad Buchanan took over as interim GM. Cho's dismissal was criticized as "illogical" by Sports Illustrated,<ref name="sportsillustrated" /> though they noted that Allen had made many questionable moves during his tenure as owner.

On June 23, 2011, in the NBA draft, the Blazers selected guards Nolan Smith from Duke with the 21st pick and Jon Diebler from Ohio State with the 51st pick. On the same day, the Blazers made a three-team trade with the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks, sending Andre Miller to Denver and Rudy Fernández to Dallas, and acquiring Raymond Felton from Denver.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 23, 2011 |title=Trail Blazers trade Andre Miller to Denver for Raymond Felton; Rudy Fernandez headed to Dallas |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/06/trail_blazers_reportedly_trade.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626231508/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/06/trail_blazers_reportedly_trade.html |archive-date=June 26, 2011 |access-date=June 25, 2011 |work=Oregonlive}}</ref>

The 2011 NBA lockout halted transactions until early December, when the Blazers faced several setbacks: Brandon Roy announced his retirement due to chronic knee problems, Greg Oden had yet another knee setback, and LaMarcus Aldridge underwent heart surgery.<ref name="espnretire">{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2011 |title=LaMarcus Aldridge's Heart Surgery Another Hurdle Trail Blazers Won't Overcome |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/977033-lamarcus-aldridges-heart-surgery-another-hurdle-trail-blazers-wont-overcome |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113212312/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/977033-lamarcus-aldridges-heart-surgery-another-hurdle-trail-blazers-wont-overcome |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |access-date=December 12, 2011 |website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> Interim GM Chad Buchanan signed three free agents: Kurt Thomas, Jamal Crawford, and Craig Smith.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 16, 2011 |title=Trail Blazers introduce Jamal Crawford and Craig Smith, who will look to bolster the bench |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/12/trail_blazers_introduce_jamal_crawford_and_craig_s.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213082307/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/12/trail_blazers_introduce_jamal_crawford_and_craig_s.html |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=May 6, 2013 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref>

In the shortened 2011–12 season, the Blazers started 7–2<ref>{{Cite web |title=HoopsHype – The NBA Basketball Web Site |url=http://www.hoopsworld.com/portlands-success-due-to-smart-management |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213022953/http://www.hoopsworld.com/portlands-success-due-to-smart-management |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=hoopsworld.com}}</ref> but quickly collapsed as starting point guard Raymond Felton and others struggled with McMillan's new running-style offense. Despite Aldridge making his first All-Star Game, the team remained inconsistent.

On March 15, 2012, the Blazers made several moves, trading Marcus Camby to Houston and Gerald Wallace to New Jersey for expiring contracts and draft picks. They also released Greg Oden and fired head coach Nate McMillan, naming Kaleb Canales as interim head coach. The team finished with a 28–38 record and missed the playoffs for the first time in three years.

At the 2012 NBA draft lottery on May 30, the Blazers secured the number 6 pick via the Brooklyn Nets and the number 11 pick due to their own record. Neil Olshey became the new GM in June, ending over a year of interim management.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 4, 2012 |title=Trail Blazers hire Neil Olshey as general manager after Olshey shuns Clippers |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/06/trail_blazers_set_to_hire_neil_olshey_as_general_m.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607180227/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/06/trail_blazers_set_to_hire_neil_olshey_as_general_m.html |archive-date=June 7, 2012 |access-date=June 10, 2012 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref>

=== 2012–2023: The Damian Lillard era ===
[[File:Damian Lillard against the Cleveland Cavaliers (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|160px|[[Damian Lillard]] is a seven-time [[NBA All-Star]] (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023) and was the unanimous choice for the [[NBA Rookie of the Year]] following the 2012–13 season.]]
On June 28, 2012, the Blazers selected [[Weber State Wildcats men's basketball|Weber State]] guard [[Damian Lillard]] and [[Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball|University of Illinois]] center [[Meyers Leonard]] with the 6th and 11th picks overall, respectively. They also selected [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|University of Memphis]] guard [[Will Barton]] with the 40th pick overall, and traded the rights of the 41st overall pick, [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|University of Kansas]] guard [[Tyshawn Taylor]], to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations.

Headed by their new general manager Olshey, the Trail Blazers front office further made a few changes during July 2012. The Blazers signed their 30th pick from the 2006 draft, [[Joel Freeland]], and their 22nd pick from the 2009 draft, [[Víctor Claver]],<ref name="transactions-2012-13">{{Cite web |title=Transactions: 2012–13 season |url=http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2012_13/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723072230/http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2012_13/ |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |access-date=July 23, 2012 |website=[[NBA.com]]}}</ref> as well as re-signing Hickson<ref name="transactions-2012-13" /> and [[Nicolas Batum]].<ref name="transactions-2012-13" /> They also signed veteran point guard [[Ronnie Price]] to back up Lillard, who was selected as co-MVP of the 2012 Las Vegas Summer League.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 22, 2012 |title=Blazers' Damian Lillard, Grizzlies' Josh Selby selected co-MVPs of NBA's Vegas Summer League |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/07/blazers_damian_lillard_grizzlies_josh_selby_select.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203065836/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/07/blazers_damian_lillard_grizzlies_josh_selby_select.html |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=November 30, 2013 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> [[Dallas Mavericks]] assistant coach [[Terry Stotts]] was hired as head coach on August 7, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ben Golliver |date=August 7, 2012 |title=Blazers Hire Terry Stotts As Head Coach |url=http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/8/7/3226703/blazers-hire-terry-stotts-as-head-coach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083133/http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/8/7/3226703/blazers-hire-terry-stotts-as-head-coach |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=Blazer's Edge}}</ref>

Under the reins of Lillard, the Blazers played well into January 2013, posting a 20–15 record. On January 11, 2013, at home against the [[Miami Heat]], [[Wesley Matthews]] made two consecutive three-pointers late in the fourth quarter to help the Blazers secure a 92–90 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heat at Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20130110/MIAPOR/gameinfo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121716/http://www.nba.com/games/20130110/MIAPOR/gameinfo.html |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> However, despite the Blazers remaining among the playoff contenders for most of the season, injuries to starters Batum, [[LaMarcus Aldridge]], and Matthews, as well as a losing streak of 13 games&nbsp;– the longest in the franchise's history&nbsp;– led to the 11th position in the West, with a 33–49 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portland Trailblazers: Season Review With Awards |url=http://www.thehoopstuff.com/portland-trailblazers-regular-season-review-and-awards/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921035653/http://www.thehoopstuff.com/portland-trailblazers-regular-season-review-and-awards/ |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=thehoopstuff.com}}</ref> Averaging 19.0 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.1 rebounds, Lillard was unanimously named Rookie of the Year, joining [[Ralph Sampson]], [[David Robinson (basketball)|David Robinson]], and [[Blake Griffin]] as the only unanimous selections in NBA history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Damian Lillard Named Kia NBA Rookie Of The Year |url=http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/itemId/3823/Default.aspx |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608191943/http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/itemId/3823/Default.aspx |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |access-date=May 1, 2013 |publisher=Portland Trail Blazers}}</ref>

[[File:C.J. McCollum 3 (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|160px|[[CJ McCollum]], drafted 10th overall in [[2013 NBA draft|2013]], formed a formidable back-court duo with Lillard.]]
Going into the [[2013 NBA draft]], the Trail Blazers held four picks: the 10th pick in the first round and three second-round picks. The Blazers selected guard [[CJ McCollum]] out of [[Lehigh Mountain Hawks men's basketball|Lehigh University]] with their 10th pick, and also selected center [[Jeff Withey]] from [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|Kansas]], power forward [[Grant Jerrett]] from [[Arizona Wildcats men's basketball|Arizona]], and Montenegrin big man [[Marko Todorović (basketball)|Marko Todorović]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers 2013 Draft Preview – NBA.com |url=http://www.nba.com/draft/2013/teams/por/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616110430/http://www.nba.com/draft/2013/teams/por/index.html |archive-date=June 16, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> In addition, [[California Golden Bears men's basketball|Cal]] guard [[Allen Crabbe]] was acquired from the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] in exchange for two second-round picks, in the 2015 and 2016 drafts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers Acquire CJ McCollum, Jeff Withey, Marko Todorovic And Draft Rights To Allen Crabbe In 2013 NBA Draft<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/ArticleDisplay/tabid/297/ItemID/3860/Default.aspx |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203053337/http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/ArticleDisplay/tabid/297/ItemID/3860/Default.aspx |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=iamatrailblazersfan.com}}</ref>

The Blazers finished the 2014 season with 21 more wins than the previous season, which amounted for the largest single-season improvement in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers 2013–14 Season Notes |url=http://forwardcenter.net/trail-blazers-2013-14-season-notes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518075714/http://forwardcenter.net/trail-blazers-2013-14-season-notes/ |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=Forward Center}}</ref> This included a period in November when they won 11 straight games, and 13–2 in the month overall, for which coach Terry Stotts took home Coach of the Month honors.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Terry Stotts Named Western Conference Coach Of The Month For November |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/terry-stotts-named-western-conference-coach-month-november |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121715/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/terry-stotts-named-western-conference-coach-month-november |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=nba.com}}</ref> On December 12, 2013, Aldridge scored 31 points and pulled down 25 rebounds in a home game against the Rockets, the first time a Trail Blazers' player recorded a 30-point, 25-rebound game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rockets at Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20131212/HOUPOR/gameinfo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630054942/http://www.nba.com/games/20131212/HOUPOR/gameinfo.html |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> On December 14, 2013, the Blazers made a franchise-record 21 three-pointers against the [[Philadelphia 76ers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers at 76ers |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20131214/PORPHI/gameinfo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121715/http://www.nba.com/games/20131214/PORPHI/gameinfo.html |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> They tied the new record 19 days later against the Charlotte Bobcats, becoming the first NBA team to make 20 or more three-pointers in a game more than once in a season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bobcats at Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20140102/CHAPOR/gameinfo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121715/http://www.nba.com/games/20140102/CHAPOR/gameinfo.html |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> [[Damian Lillard|Lillard]] was voted in as a reserve to his first All-Star game, joining Aldridge to represent Portland at the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ben Golliver |title=Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, LaMarcus Aldridge headline 2014 All-Star Game reserves |url=http://nba.si.com/2014/01/30/nba-all-star-game-reserves-2014-new-orleans-dwight-howard-lamarcus-aldridge/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520061129/http://nba.si.com/2014/01/30/nba-all-star-game-reserves-2014-new-orleans-dwight-howard-lamarcus-aldridge/ |archive-date=May 20, 2014 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=SI.com}}</ref> Portland finished 54–28, securing the fifth seed in the playoffs against the Rockets. The team also shot 81.5% at the free throw line, made 770 three-pointers, and started four players for all 82 regular season games, all franchise records.

The first-round series against the Rockets was a tight one, with three of the six games going to overtime. The Blazers fared well in the first two games despite not having home-court advantage, beating Houston 122–120 and 112–105 in Games 1 and 2 respectively, fueled by Aldridge's 46 points and 18 rebounds in game 1, and 43 points and three blocks in game 2. In the sixth game of the series with the Rockets threatening to force a game 7 back in Houston, down by two points with 0.9 seconds left in the game, Damian Lillard hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to close out the series (the moment was later nicknamed "Rip City Revival", as Portland advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2000, where they lost to the [[2014 NBA Finals|eventual champion]] [[San Antonio Spurs]] in five games).<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2014 |title=Lillard's historic shot rings out in Portland |url=http://www.nba.com/2014/news/05/03/lillard-clutch-shot.ap/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102115527/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/05/03/lillard-clutch-shot.ap/index.html |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}</ref>

During the 2014 off-season, Olshey signed center [[Chris Kaman]] and two-time former Blazers' guard [[Steve Blake]] to bolster the bench. Expectations by sportswriters and analysts were high for the Trail Blazers going into the 2015 NBA season given their surprise success in 2013–14.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2014 |title=ProBasketballTalk 2014–15 Preview: Portland Trail Blazers – ProBasketballTalk |url=http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/09/probasketballtalk-2014-15-preview-portland-trail-blazers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524174546/http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/09/probasketballtalk-2014-15-preview-portland-trail-blazers/ |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 17, 2014 |title=BDL's 2014–15 NBA Season Previews: Portland Trail Blazers |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/bdl-s-2014-15-nba-season-previews--portland-trail-blazers-084322989.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630205618/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/bdl-s-2014-15-nba-season-previews--portland-trail-blazers-084322989.html |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=Yahoo! Sports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers 2014 Offseason Report Card – NBA.com |url=http://www.nba.com/reportcard/offseason/2014/blazers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728180101/http://www.nba.com/reportcard/offseason/2014/blazers |archive-date=July 28, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> The Blazers beat the reigning [[Northwest Division (NBA)|Northwest Division]] Champion Oklahoma City Thunder, 106–89, in their season opener at home on October 29, 2014. Like the season before, the Trail Blazers dominated the month of November, at one point winning nine straight games from November 9 to 26 before being defeated by the Memphis Grizzlies. Injuries, which had not been significant the previous season, started to inflict themselves on various players. Starting center Lopez fractured his right hand in a game against the Spurs on December 15, 2014, and missed the next 23 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rob Mahoney |date=December 16, 2014 |title=Blazers center Robin Lopez to miss time with fractured right hand |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2014/12/16/blazers-robin-lopez-out-fractured-hand |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630085507/http://www.si.com/nba/2014/12/16/blazers-robin-lopez-out-fractured-hand |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=SI.com}}</ref> Initially, the Blazers were much unfazed, winning 129–119 in triple overtime against the Spurs on December 19, a game that saw Lillard and Aldridge combine for 75 points on 29 field goals; Lillard netted a career-high 43 points. Four days later, Lillard hit a three-pointer to tie the game and force overtime against the Thunder en route to 40 points and a 115–111 victory. Three Blazers went to New Orleans for the [[2015 NBA All-Star Game#All-Star Weekend|All Star Weekend]]: Matthews for the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, Lillard as a reserve to the All-Star Game, and Aldridge as a starter to the All-Star game.

More injuries appeared around the start of the new year, which caused Aldridge, Batum, and Joel Freeland to miss various amounts of time, but none greater than Wesley Matthews' season-ending [[Achilles tendon]] tear on March 5, 2015. Called "the heart and soul" of the team by Aldridge,<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2015 |title=Wesley Matthews injury: Trail Blazers lose their heart and soul (video) |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/03/wesley_matthews_injury_trail_blazers_lose_their_he.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626102511/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/03/wesley_matthews_injury_trail_blazers_lose_their_he.html |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=OregonLive.com}}</ref> Matthews was in the midst of a career year when the injury occurred. In the first half of the season, the Blazers had a record of 30–11, allowed opponents to score an average of 97.0 points, and held them to 29.7% shooting on three-pointers; in the second half, the Blazers regressed to a 21–20 record, allowed 100.2 points, and let opponents shoot 37.9% from three. The Blazers clinched a return trip to the playoffs on March 30, 2015, defeating the Phoenix Suns, 109–86. Finishing the season 51–31, they clinched their first Northwest Division title since 1999 but fell to the Grizzlies in five games in the first round of the playoffs.

In the [[2015 NBA draft]], the Blazers selected Arizona forward [[Rondae Hollis-Jefferson]] and subsequently traded him to the [[Brooklyn Nets]] along with Steve Blake for center [[Mason Plumlee]] and the 42nd pick, [[Pat Connaughton]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Official release |date=June 26, 2015 |title=Blazers' get Plumlee and Nets grab Blake, as teams also swap picks |url=http://www.nba.com/2015/news/06/26/release-blazers-get-plumlee-and-nets-grab-blake-picks/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628194115/http://www.nba.com/2015/news/06/26/release-blazers-get-plumlee-and-nets-grab-blake-picks/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts |archive-date=June 28, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}</ref>

After losing four of their five starters at the end of the 2015–16 season, the Blazers won 44 games, were the 5th seed in the Western Conference, and beat the Clippers in six games in the first round, but were eliminated by the [[Golden State Warriors]] in five games in the Conference Semifinals.

In May 2017, the team revealed their new logo, an update of the pinwheel design with a new wordmark. According to Chris McGowan, president and CEO of the Trail Blazers, "Together, we landed on subtle changes that provide a nod to our past while allowing us to modernize other aspects of our creative assets."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oregonian |date=May 8, 2017 |title=Here is the new Portland Trail Blazers Logo |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2017/05/is_this_the_new_portland_trail_blazers_logo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509022324/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2017/05/is_this_the_new_portland_trail_blazers_logo.html |archive-date=May 9, 2017 |access-date=May 8, 2017 |website=www.oregonlife.com}}</ref>

The [[2017–18 NBA season|2017–18 season]] saw the Blazers finish with the third seed for the first time since the 1999–2000 season. On April 21, 2018, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the [[New Orleans Pelicans]] in a 4–0 sweep.

In the [[2018–19 NBA season|2018–19 season]], the Blazers finished the regular season 53–29, giving them the third seed in the Western Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, the Trail Blazers defeated the favored [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] in five games, a series which included Damian Lillard's game winning, buzzer beating, 37-foot three-pointer in game 5, giving them their first playoff series win since 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holdahl |first=Casey |date=April 24, 2019 |title=Lillard Ends Another Series With A Buzzer-Beater, This Time Versus Oklahoma City |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/lillard-ends-another-series-buzzer-beater-time-versus-oklahoma-city |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501082645/https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/lillard-ends-another-series-buzzer-beater-time-versus-oklahoma-city |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |access-date=May 1, 2019 |website=Portland Trail Blazers |quote=It is the 12th time in franchise history and the first time since 2016 that the Blazers have advanced to the conference semis.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tokito |first=Mike |date=April 14, 2019 |title=Trail Blazers End Playoff Losing Streak With A Brilliant Quarter And Some Late Grit |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/miketokito/2019/04/14/trail-blazers-end-playoff-losing-streak-with-1-brilliant-quarter-and-some-late-grit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501082624/https://www.forbes.com/sites/miketokito/2019/04/14/trail-blazers-end-playoff-losing-streak-with-1-brilliant-quarter-and-some-late-grit/ |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |access-date=May 1, 2019 |website=Forbes |quote=The win ended Portland's 10-game playoff losing streak that dated back to May 7, 2016.}}</ref> In the second round of the playoffs, they faced the Denver Nuggets. The series included a 140–137 game 3 victory by the Blazers in the first quadruple-overtime game of the NBA playoffs since [[1953 NBA playoffs|1953]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2019 |title=Portland Trail Blazers outlast Denver Nuggets 140–137 in historic quadruple overtime Game 3 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/portland-trail-blazers-outlast-denver-nuggets-140-137-in-historic-quadruple-overtime-game-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529204806/https://www.foxnews.com/sports/portland-trail-blazers-outlast-denver-nuggets-140-137-in-historic-quadruple-overtime-game-3 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |website=FOX News}}</ref> The Blazers eventually won the series in seven games and advanced to their first Conference Finals since 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2019 |title=NBA playoffs: Trail Blazers edge Nuggets to advance to conference finals |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-trail-blazers-nuggets-nba-playoffs-20190512-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529114521/https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-trail-blazers-nuggets-nba-playoffs-20190512-story.html |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> In the Western Conference Finals, they faced the two-time defending champion, the Golden State Warriors. However, they lost the series in four games, and were swept.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Warriors complete sweep of Trail Blazers, advance to fifth straight Finals |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/warriors-complete-sweep-trail-blazers-advance-fifth-straight-finals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528081542/https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/warriors-complete-sweep-trail-blazers-advance-fifth-straight-finals/ |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |website=www.sportsnet.ca}}</ref>

Following the [[suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season]], the Blazers were one of the 22 teams invited to the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]] to participate in the final 8 games of the regular season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA Board of Governors approves competitive format to restart 2019–20 season with 22 teams returning to play |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/06/04/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612050333/https://www.nba.com/article/2020/06/04/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 25, 2020 |website=[[NBA.com]]}}</ref> They erupted to number 8 but, after winning a "play-in game" over Memphis, were eliminated by Lakers in five games in the first round. The NBA decided that, at the end of the regular season part of "The Bubble" in Orlando, if the ninth seed was within four games of the eighth seed, the two teams would play at least one game. If the eighth seed won (as the Blazers did), then the play-in was over. If the ninth seed won, then another "winner-take-all" game would be played for the eighth seed. The NBA adopted a version of the play-in, a "tournament", for the postseason following the 2020–2021 season, which the Blazers avoided by finishing sixth. That play-in tournament returned for the postseason after the 2021–2022 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Live Score and Stats – August 18, 2020 Gametracker |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/live/NBA_20200818_POR@LAL/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030001412/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/live/NBA_20200818_POR@LAL/ |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020}}</ref>

On June 4, 2021, following a first-round loss in the [[2021 NBA playoffs]] to the [[Denver Nuggets]], the team and head coach Stotts mutually agreed to part ways. After moving on from coach Stotts, the team hired [[Chauncey Billups]] as the franchise's next head coach.
[[File:Billups coach (cropped).jpg|thumb|Chauncey Billups has coached the Blazers since 2021]]
On February 8, 2022, in the midst of a losing season filled with injuries, the Blazers elected to trade CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2021 |title=Trail Blazers And Terry Stotts Mutually Agree To Part Ways |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/trail-blazers-and-terry-stotts-mutually-agree-part-ways |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626032029/https://www.nba.com/blazers/trail-blazers-and-terry-stotts-mutually-agree-part-ways |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> Without McCollum in the lineup, there was an opportunity for [[Anfernee Simons]] to lead the Blazers offense. Simons play for the remainder of the season, earned him a multi-year extension.

On June 22, 2022, the Blazers received [[Detroit Pistons]] forward [[Jerami Grant]] in exchange for 2023 and 2025 draft picks.<ref name="ESPN">{{Cite web |last=Wojnarowski |first=Adrian |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Portland Trail Blazers acquiring forward Jerami Grant from Detroit Pistons for a protected 2025 1st-round pick, sources say |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34132481/detroit-pistons-trading-forward-jerami-grant-portland-trail-blazers-2025-1st-round-pick-sources-say |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622232523/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34132481/detroit-pistons-trading-forward-jerami-grant-portland-trail-blazers-2025-1st-round-pick-sources-say |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=ESPN}}</ref>

On June 23, 2022, in the [[2022 NBA draft]], the Blazers selected guard [[Shaedon Sharpe]] out of the [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|University of Kentucky]] and forward Jabari Walker from the [[Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball|University of Colorado]] with the 7th and 57th picks, respectively. In the 2022–23 regular season, the Blazers started well, and at one point were the top seed in the West, but then bit by bit slipped out of playoff contention. Lillard promptly requested a trade on July 1, and Portland began exploring options, though taking their time. General manager Joe Cronin was quoted as saying, "If it takes months, it takes months."

In the [[2023 NBA draft]], the Blazers selected guard [[Scoot Henderson]] with the third overall pick. Henderson was a standout from the NBA G league team, the [[NBA G League Ignite]].

=== 2023–present: Post-Lillard era and rebuilding ===
On September 27, 2023, the Blazers acquired All-Star guard [[Jrue Holiday]], 2018 Draft first pick [[Deandre Ayton]], and [[Toumani Camara]] as part of a trade that sent Lillard to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] and [[Grayson Allen]], [[Jusuf Nurkić]], [[Nassir Little]], and [[Keon Johnson (basketball, born 2002)|Keon Johnson]] to the [[Phoenix Suns]]. Additionally, the Blazers acquired a 2029 first-round draft pick, with the option to swap with the Bucks for the 2028 and 2030 first-round picks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2023 |title=Milwaukee Bucks Acquire Seven-Time All-Star, Seven-Time All-NBA Selection And NBA 75th Anniversary Team Member Damian Lillard |url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-acquire-seven-time-all-star-seven-time-all-nba-selection-and-nba-75th-anniversary-team-member-damian-lillard |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=NBA.com |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009152819/https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-acquire-seven-time-all-star-seven-time-all-nba-selection-and-nba-75th-anniversary-team-member-damian-lillard |url-status=live }}</ref> Four days later, Holiday was traded to the [[Boston Celtics]] in exchange for [[Robert Williams III]], [[Malcolm Brogdon]], and two future first-round draft picks. [[Jerami Grant]] was also resigned to a 5-year, $160 Million contract.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers Re-Sign Jerami Grant |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-re-sign-jerami-grant |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref> The Blazers had a poor year, missing the playoffs with a 21–61 record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bernecich |first=Adrian |date=2024-07-13 |title=A Healthy Blazers Squad Still Misses The Play-In |url=https://www.blazersedge.com/2024/7/13/24196913/portland-trail-blazers-nba-playoffs-lottery-sharpe-scoot-ayton-simons-camara-avdija-grant-play-in |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Blazer's Edge |language=en}}</ref>

With the seventh selection of the 2024 NBA draft,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 NBA Draft: Official Draft Board, Prospect Profiles and more |url=https://www.nba.com/draft/2024 |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> the Blazers selected [[Donovan Clingan]], a center from [[UConn Huskies men's basketball|UConn]]. The same day, they acquired [[Deni Avdija]] from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Brogdon, the 14th overall pick, a 2029 first-round pick, and 2028 and 2030 second-rounders.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wizards agree to trade Deni Avdija to Blazers for Malcolm Brogdon, No. 14 pick |url=https://www.nba.com/news/wizards-blazers-trade-avdija-brogdon |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref>