Portland Trail Blazers all-time draft bust starting 5
By Tyler Watts
C: Greg Oden
The Blazers made another massive draft blunder when they drafted Greg Oden over Kevin Durant in 2007. Portland had the number-one pick for the fourth time in franchise history, and they were again searching for a superstar. Oden was ranked ahead of Durant coming out of high school in 2006 and was fresh off a dominant season at Ohio State where he averaged 15.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game. The 20-year-old had all the potential in the world, but it was never meant to be.
Oden missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, and he played his final NBA game in 2014 just after his 26th birthday. The seven-footer could never stay healthy. He played just 105 total NBA games in three NBA seasons, despite being part of the league for seven years.
Oden was one of the biggest busts in NBA Draft history, but the Blazers had plenty of competition for this spot. They selected Sam Bowie second overall in 1984 ahead of Michael Jordan. Add in Martin, who slid down to power forward for this exercise, and the Blazers have struggled to draft big men.
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Will Damian Lillard will the Portland Trail Blazers to the playoffs this season? If not, will they find a difference-maker in the lottery or another candidate for their all-time draft bust starting five? Stay tuned to find out.