Editing Portland Trail Blazers (section)

=== 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>