Trail Blazers: Breaking down a decade of draft history

2012

Picks

• No. 12: Damian Lillard
• No. 11: Meyers Leonard
• No. 40: Will Barton

I thought about writing up some words on what Dame is about but, I think we all know by now. Let this video show why Portland got this pick very, very right.

Verdict: Hit (out of the park)

The Meyers Leonard experience was an absolute rollercoaster for 7 years, but I think the likable big man came out on the right side of Portland fans.

The ‘Hammer’ definitely had a love/hate relationship with RipCity, as Portland fans became frustrated with his defensive inabilities. However, Meyers became a key part of that Portand ‘continuity’, and in his final postseason, Leonard played a serious role.

Leonard never became the official starter at center for the Blazers- after drafting someone at No. 11, many would call this bust material. Whilst I’ve contributed my fair share of criticism for him over the years, Meyers found his role in Portland, and in 2019, we finally saw what he was all about.

When Jusuf Nurkic went down late in the season, many Blazer fans were counting themselves lucky that Neil Olshey had picked up Enes Kanter not long before, and expectations immediately towards the Turk come playoff time.

However, whilst Kanter did end up playing superbly (with one shoulder as well), Meyers Leonard seriously stepped up. The big man had been shooting 47 percent from three (!!!!!!) on the season, and he took that into the playoffs, becoming a real weapon at the top of the key.

His screens were tremendous too, and were a big help as Dame and CJ tried to make the transition from Nurkic. Meyers had his best moment as a Blazers in the Conference Finals, when he dropped 25 points on the Warriors in the first half.

Meyers wasn’t what Portland had hoped for, and disappointed for the majority of his time here. But he became a real part of the best Trail Blazer team since 2000, and many Portland fans will hold a soft spot for him.

I’m still keeping tabs on him in Miami, and I’m sure I’m not the only Portland fan happy to see that he’s thriving.

Verdict: Marginal Miss

Will Barton, the people’s champ. Boy, the Blazers could use his presence right about now.

Barton spent three years in Portland, but unfortunately never really get the opportunity, despite his teammates (mainly Lillard) seeing the clear potential that Barton had. Since leaving, Barton has become one of the best bench scorers in the league with the Denver Nuggets.

In his sophomore year, Portland turned into a 50-win team; higher team aspirations coupled with the arrival of CJ McCollum saw Terry Stotts go with his veterans ahead of guys like Barton. LaMarcus Aldridge‘s impending free agency decision also meant they couldn’t afford a ‘development’ year.

Despite having no negative feelings towards the Blazers as a club, Barton did describe his time there as ‘the dark years’; he often wondered if he’d ever make it in the league.

What makes Barton’s departure even more painful, is not only has the guard now developed into a terrific scorer, but the Blazers got so little in exchange for him. In February of 2015, Barton was traded for Arron Afflalo and Alonzo Gee; Denver also received Thomas Robinson, Victor Claver and a 2016 first round pick.

They averaged a combined 13 points in their time in Portland, and both left a few months later. Meanwhile Barton has since flourished at the Nuggets, becoming a now key starter in their offense. Portland ended up without a pick in the 2016 draft, a night which saw guys like Pascal Siakam, Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert and Dejounte Murray all picked after No. 20. What could have been, huh?

Verdict: Hit

What If’s?

Andre Drummond is probably the one that sticks out to me here. The Blazers had the 11th pick, and looking for a center, selected Meyers Leonard. Drummond was selected 9th, so it was one of those that became extremely close to an exceptional draft for Portland.

Elsewhere, Draymond Green went at No. 35, and Khris Middleton at No. 39; both of these guys are exactly what Portland need nowadays, and the Blazers could have turned into much more had they selected one of these players.

2012 was superb because of Damian Lillard, but there were a fair few near misses in there as well.