6 People who turned their backs on the Portland Trail Blazers

Disgruntled players and bad GMs left the franchise reeling, whether it was after they left or while they were still in Portland.

Neil Olshey (left), Damian Lillard; Portland Trail Blazers
Neil Olshey (left), Damian Lillard; Portland Trail Blazers | Steve Dykes/GettyImages
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Zach Randolph

While he was more athletic and physically gifted as a young player with the Trail Blazers, Zach Randolph didn't live up to his potential as a two-way power forward with a multi-faceted offensive game until he grew up and matured. He eventually became part of the Memphis Grizzlies' grit-n-grind teams in the 2010s that were regularly competing in the postseason.

Randolph's tenure in Portland was filled with off-court issues that stunted his growth. Being a young, impressionable piece of the Jail Blazers' squad probably didn't help.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound big man played only one season at Michigan State before entering the 2001 draft, where Portland selected him with the 19th overall pick. He broke out in the 2003-04 season when he averaged a double-double and won the league's Most Improved Player Award at age 22. That led to a massive six-year, $84 million extension with the Blazers.

But consistent off-court issues eventually pushed the franchise to the breaking point. He was cited for underage drinking in 2002, arrested for a DUI in 2003, argued with teammates and was suspended two games and fined $100,000 for punching Ruben Patterson.

In the summer of 2007, Z-Bo was traded to the New York Knicks for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.

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