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Trail Blazers: Breaking down a decade of draft history

By Ryan Gaskin

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 28: Damian Lillard shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected number six overall by the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2012 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 28, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 28: Damian Lillard shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected number six overall by the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2012 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 28, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2015

Picks

(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

SG. Pat Connaughton. 41. player. Scouting Report. Highlights. Notre Dame. 34

The Blazers actually picked Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in in 2015, using their 23rd pick to pluck the small forward out of Arizona. However, Hollis-Jefferson was traded away to the Brooklyn Nets later in the evening.

In return, Portland received the rights to Pat Connaughton (and Mason Plumlee), a random favorite Blazer of mine over the years. Connaughton stuck around for three years, and played a big role off the bench in the Blazers run to the third seed in 2018.

Connaughton was incredibly likable off the floor, and played his role in Portland’s offense. Despite averaging just 5.4 points at most in his time there, Connaughton shot the three well, hustled incredibly, and had some INSANE athleticism.

I’m serious, this guy could throw down. Whether it was driving through the middle, catching lobs or the occasional impressive put-back, Pat kept the Moda Center on the edge of their seats with his hops at times.

When he signed with the Milawakee Bucks in 2018, I was sad to see him go. Still, it’s good to see him thriving over there as well, as the former Blazer is now benefitting off of Giannis’ ridiculousness on a nightly basis.

Verdict: Hit

What If’s?

Meh. Not too much going on. Montrezl Harrell went at No. 32 to the Houston Rockets; his play in the last two years would have certainly been a bonus in Portland.

Josh Richardson went at No. 40, one spot above Connaughton, but as the Blazers traded for the pick, they didn’t really ‘miss’ on Richardson.