The Portland Trail Blazers have been sent down the NBA Draft order for the third time in four years. After finishing with the tenth-best lottery odds, the Oregon club have been left with the 11th pick in next month’s draft, headlined by the Dallas Mavericks’ enviable rise up to number one.
If General Manager Joe Cronin is to be believed, the franchise is hoping this is the last lottery the franchise is involved in for a while. But without a franchise player to build around, the roster can only be defined by question marks and hope.
The obvious question moving forward is whether Cronin uses the pick on another young prospect or moves it for assets that still fit with the trajectory of the rebuild.
Today we look at the 11th pick and what kind of talent it has served up since the Blazers entered the NBA.
History of the 11th Pick
Since 1970, there hasn’t been a number 11 pick to earn an MVP — but that might change in a matter of days with Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poised to win.
Gilgeous-Alexander was taken at 11 by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2018. A year later, he served as one of the prizes in the famed Paul George deal that also landed the Californian franchise Kawhi Leonard. The Canadian has since led the Oklahoman franchise back up the standings to be one of the clear contenders for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
While there has been clear dearth in MVP trophies coming from the 11th pick, it has been the source of notable talent over the past 55 years.
Indiana Pacers royalty Reggie Miller, taken in 1987, has entered the Hall of Fame, following three All NBA appearances and five All Stars. Miller was a pioneer three-point shooter who made it to five All Star teams and three All-NBA Third teams. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2012 and was named as one of the greatest 75 players of all time.
The only other Hall of Famer taken at 11 is Jamaal Wilkes, who spent time with the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers between 1974 and 1985. The small forward won a title with the Warriors in 1975 and three with the Lakers in 1980, 1982 and 1985. Wilkes made it to three All Star games, two All Defensive Second Teams and was named Rookie of the Year in 1975.
As far as players who are likely to see their name in the Hall of Fame, Klay Thompson, taken in 2011, should get there. Like Miller, Thompson is a sweet-shooting wing. Unlike Miller, he’s seen real success, winning four titles with the Warriors, serving as Steph Curry’s splash brother. The current Maverick has made it to five All Star exhibitions, two All NBA Third teams and one All Defensive Second Team.
Other notable names include Allan Houston, Lafayette “Fat” Lever, Robert Horry and Portland’s own Terrell Brandon. Of the modern-day 11th pick brigade, outside Gilegous-Alexander, there is Domantas Sabonis, Cameron Johnson, Devin Vassell and Myles Turner.
Former Blazers Picked at #11
The last Blazer to be taken with the 11th pick was Meyers Leonard, whose star rose the highest during the 2019 Western Conference Finals. The seven footer served as the team’s third highest scorer behind Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, averaging 17.7 points on 50 percent three point shooting during the series.
Other notable 11th picks to don the pinwheel include the aforementioned Lever, Kiki VandeWeghe, Bonzi Wells and Jerryd Bayless. There’s also Gary Trent, Will Perdue, Carlos Rogers and Jared Jeffries. James Bouknight was picked 11th by the Charlotte Hornets in 2021, and competed with the Rip City Remix this past season.
Recapping Every 11th Pick Since 1970
MVP – 0
Hall of Fame – 2
Reggie Miller (selected in 1987), Jamaal Wilkes (1974)
All-NBA – 6
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2018), Domantas Sabonis (2016), Klay Thompson (2011), Reggie Miller (1987), Kevin Willis (1984), Lafayette Lever (1982)
NBA All Stars – 13
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2018), Domantas Sabonis (2016), Klay Thompson (2011), Allan Houston (1993), Robert Horry (1992), Terrell Brandon (1991), Tyrone Hill (1990), Reggie Miller (1987), Kevin Willis (1984), Lafayette Lever (1982), Kiki VanDeWeghe (1980), Jamaal Wilkes (1974), Curtis Rowe (1971)
All-Defensive Team – 4
Klay Thompson (2011), Derek Harper (1983), Lafayette Lever (1982), Jamaal Wilkes (1974)
Rookie of the Year – 2
Michael Carter-Williams (2013), Jamaal Wilkes (1974)
None of the above – 40
Matas Buzelis (2024), Jett Howard (2023), Ousmane Dieng (2022), James Bouknight (2021), Devin Vassell (2020), Cameron Johnson (2019), Malik Monk (2017), Myles Turner (2015), Doug McDermott (2014), Meyers Leonard (2012), Cole Aldrich (2010), Terrence Williams (2009), Jerryd Bayless (2008), Acie Law (2007), JJ Redick (2006), Fran Vazquez (2005), Andris Biedrins (2004), Mickael Pietrus (2003), Jared Jeffries (2002), Kendrick Brown (2001), Jerome Moiso (2000), Trajan Langdon (1999), Bonzi Wells (1998), Olivier Saint-Jean (1997), Todd Fuller (1996), Gary Trent (1995), Carlos Rogers (1994), Nick Anderson (1989), Will Perdue (1988), John Salley (1986), Keith Lee (1985), Frank Johnson (1981), Cliff Robinson (1979), James Hardy (1978), Ernie Grunfeld (1977), Bob Wilkerson (1976), Joe Meriweather (1975), Kevin Joyce (1973), Ralph Simpson (1972), Jimmy Collins (1970)
Conclusion
Of the 55 names taken with the 11th pick since 1970, almost a quarter (13) have made it to an All Star team. Unfortunately, the lion share (40) have been unable to earn an individual prize.
But do not fret. Of those 40 less-than decorated names, many have still managed to forge strong and serviceable careers. I look to the likes of Cameron Johnson, Devin Vassell, Myles Turner, JJ Redick, Nick Anderson and Malik Monk.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could very well be the first MVP of the group named this week, hopefully serving as a sign for the Blazers’ chances at a talent. Though I’m not for omens and portents.
Nobody should be expecting a franchise-changing talent at 11. That expectation may, in turn, prompt Cronin to move the pick for a surer asset. But if the Blazers choose to use the pick, they’re still a decent chance of getting a guy who, at the very least, contributes.
