Portland Trail Blazers#Retired numbers

{{Main|History of the Portland Trail Blazers}}

File:Sidney Wicks – Trail Blazers (1).jpg, who played in four NBA All-Star Games while with the Trail Blazers, won the 1971–72 NBA Rookie of the Year Award after averaging 24.5 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game.]]

Sports promoter and Trail Blazers founder Harry Glickman sought a National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise for Portland as far back as 1955 when he proposed two new expansion teams, the other to be located in Los Angeles.{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1955 |title=Pro hoop aim of local men; Syndicate to seek NBA franchise |work=The Sunday Oregonian |location=Portland, Oregon |page=62}} When the Memorial Coliseum was opened in 1960 Glickman saw the potential it could serve as a professional basketball venue but it was not until February 6, 1970, that the NBA board of governors granted him the rights to a franchise in Portland.{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dave |date=May 6, 1985 |title=When the Letters Stopped |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19850506&id=cSkoAAAAIBAJ&pg=5434,2739035 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119073535/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19850506&id=cSkoAAAAIBAJ&pg=5434%2C2739035 |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |work=The New York Times}} To raise the money for the $3.7 million admission tax, Glickman associated himself to real estate magnates Robert Schmertz of New Jersey, Larry Weinberg of Los Angeles and Herman Sarkowsky of Seattle.{{Cite news |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |date=January 31, 2013 |title=The original Trail Blazer |url=http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/127501-the-original-trail-blazer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920162550/https://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/127501-the-original-trail-blazer |archive-date=September 20, 2018 |access-date=March 22, 2013 |work=Portland Tribune}} Two weeks later, on February 24, team management held a contest to select the team's name and received more than 10,000 entries. The most popular choice was "Pioneers", but that name was excluded from consideration as it was already used by sports teams at Portland's Lewis & Clark College. The name "Trail Blazers" received 172 entries, and was ultimately selected by the judging panel, being revealed on March 13 in the halftime of a SuperSonics game at the Memorial Coliseum. Derived from the trail blazing activity by explorers making paths through forests, Glickman considered it a name that could "reflect both the ruggedness of the Pacific Northwest and the start of a major league era in our state". Despite initial mixed response, the Trail Blazers name, often shortened to just "Blazers", became popular in Oregon.{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2021 |title=2020–21 Portland Trail Blazers Media Guide |url=https://www.nba.com/resources/static/team/v2/blazers/pdf/2020-21_BlazerMediaGuide.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624215331/https://www.nba.com/resources/static/team/v2/blazers/pdf/2020-21_BlazerMediaGuide.pdf |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}} The information can be found on page 12. While not directly connected, the Portland Trail Blazers do bear the namesake of the Salem Trailblazers who played in the Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League (PCPBL).{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Along with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Buffalo Braves (now Los Angeles Clippers), the Trail Blazers entered the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team, under coach Rolland Todd. Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks led the team in its early years, and the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in its first six seasons of existence. During that span, the team had three head coaches (including future hall-of-famer Lenny Wilkens); team executive Stu Inman also served as coach.{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers history |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226171400/http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/history.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |website=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}} The team won the first pick in the NBA draft twice during that span. In 1972, the team drafted LaRue Martin with the number one pick.{{Cite web |date=2013-06-25 |title=Top 5 Biggest NBA Draft Busts Of All Time - CBS Boston |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/top-5-biggest-nba-draft-busts-of-all-time/ |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

In 1974 the team selected number one pick Bill Walton from UCLA. The ABA–NBA merger of 1976 saw those two rival leagues join forces. Four ABA teams joined the NBA; the remaining teams were dissolved and their players distributed among the remaining NBA squads in a dispersal draft. The Trail Blazers selected Maurice Lucas in the dispersal draft.{{Cite web |title=Learn more about Maurice Lucas |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/Learn_More_About_Maurice_Lucas-64030-41.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116122922/http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/Learn_More_About_Maurice_Lucas-64030-41.html |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |website=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}} That summer, they also hired Jack Ramsay as head coach.{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers Legendary Coach Dr. Jack Ramsay passes away at age 89 |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/trail-blazers-legendary-coach-dr-jack-ramsay-passes-away-age-89 |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}

File:Bill Walton and Jack Ramsay.jpeg led the team to their first playoff berth and eventually the championship. Bill Walton was the NBA Finals MVP.]]

The two moves, coupled with the team's stellar play, led Portland to several firsts: winning record (49–33), playoff appearance, and an NBA championship in 1977. Starting on April 5 of that year, the team began a sellout streak of 814 straight games—the longest in American major professional sports history—which did not end until 1995, after the team moved into a larger facility.{{Cite web |year=2003 |title=Company History: Portland Trail Blazers |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Portland-Trail-Blazers-Company-History.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916220945/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Portland-Trail-Blazers-Company-History.html |archive-date=September 16, 2011 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |publisher=Funding Universe}}

The team started the 1977–78 season with a 50–10 mark, and some predicted a dynasty in Portland.{{Cite magazine |date=February 13, 1978 |title=Going Like Blazers: Portland is not just running away from everybody in the NBA, it's mounting an assault on the record books as well |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1978/02/13/going-like-blazers-portland-is-not-just-running-away-from-everybody-in-the-nba-its-mounting-an-assault-on-the-record-books-as-well/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916143457/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093313/index.htm |archive-date=September 16, 2008 |access-date=April 18, 2009 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} However, Bill Walton suffered a foot injury that ended his season and would plague him over the remainder of his career, and the team struggled to an 8–14 finish, going 58–24 overall. In the playoffs, Portland lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1978 conference semifinals.{{Cite book |last=Halberstam |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/breaksofgame00halb |title=The Breaks of the Game |publisher=Ballantine |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-345-29625-2 |author-link=David Halberstam |url-access=registration}} That summer, Walton demanded to be traded to a team of his choice (Clippers, Knicks, Warriors, or 76ers), because he was unhappy with his medical treatment in Portland.{{Cite magazine |date=August 21, 1978 |title=Off On A Wronged Foot |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093981/5/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621073727/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093981/5/index.htm |archive-date=June 21, 2009 |access-date=August 20, 2008 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} Walton was never traded, and he held out the entire 1978–79 season and left the team as a free agent thereafter.{{Cite book |last=Love |first=Matt |title=Red Hot and Rollin': A Retrospection of the Portland Trail Blazers' 1976–77 NBA Championship Season |publisher=Nestucca Spit Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-9744364-8-7 |location=Pacific City, Oregon |page=119}} The team was further dismantled as Lucas left in 1980.

During the 1980s, the team was a consistent presence in the NBA postseason, failing to qualify for the playoffs only in 1982. However, they never advanced past the conference semifinals during the decade.{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers (team profile) |url=http://www.sportsline.com/nba/teams/history/POR |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016221620/http://sportsline.com/nba/teams/history/POR |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |website=CBS Sportsline.com (NBA) |publisher=CBS Sports}} The Pacific Division of the NBA was dominated by the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the decade, and only the Lakers and the Houston Rockets represented the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. Key players for the Blazers during the early 1980s included Mychal Thompson, Billy Ray Bates, Fat Lever, Darnell Valentine, Wayne Cooper, T. R. Dunn, Jim Paxson, and Calvin Natt.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

File:Clyde Drexler 01.jpg played in Portland from 1983 to 1995.]]

In the 1983 draft, the team selected University of Houston guard–forward Clyde Drexler with the 14th pick; "Clyde the Glide" would become the face of the franchise for over a decade, and the team's second-most decorated player (after Walton).{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Clyde Drexler Biography |encyclopedia=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff edition |publisher=National Basketball Association |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/drexler_bio.html |access-date=November 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215220102/http://www.nba.com/history/players/drexler_bio.html |archive-date=February 15, 2019 |url-status=live}} In the next year's draft, the Trail Blazers landed the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft. After the Houston Rockets selected Drexler's college teammate Hakeem Olajuwon at No. 1, the Trail Blazers selected Kentucky center Sam Bowie. Drafting third, the Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan. The selection of the injury-plagued Bowie over Jordan has been criticized as one of the worst draft picks in the history of American professional sports.{{Cite magazine |last=Dwyer |first=Kelly |date=June 24, 2005 |title=NBA Draft Busts |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/06/24/gallery.nbabusts/content.20.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114191101/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/06/24/gallery.nbabusts/content.20.html |archive-date=January 14, 2010 |access-date=November 5, 2007 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} That summer, the Blazers also made a controversial trade, sending Lever, Cooper, and Natt to the Denver Nuggets for high-scoring forward Kiki Vandeweghe.{{Cite web |title=Denver Nuggets History: 1979 to 1990 |url=http://www.nba.com/nuggets/history/eighties.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202065137/http://www.nba.com/nuggets/history/eighties.html |archive-date=February 2, 2008 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |website=Denver Nuggets official website |publisher=National Basketball Association}} In the 1985 draft, the Blazers selected point guard Terry Porter with the last pick of the first round. Porter would go on to become one of the top point guards in the league, and the Blazers' all-time leader in assists.{{Cite news |last=Quick |first=Jason |date=April 10, 2010 |title=Blazers Top 40: No. 3 Terry Porter, the king of three-pointers |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/04/blazers_top_40_no_3_terry_port.html |website=The Oregonian}}

File:Arvydas Sabonis.jpg made his NBA debut during the 1995–96 season.]]

However, the Blazers continued to struggle in the postseason, and in 1986, Ramsay was fired and replaced with Mike Schuler. Despite this, they were the only team to beat the Boston Celtics on the road that season. That following off-season, the team drafted two players from behind the Iron Curtain, Arvydas Sabonis and Dražen Petrović,{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers Draft History |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/draft.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012111432/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/draft.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=November 5, 2007 |website=basketball-reference.com}} and sent Thompson to the San Antonio Spurs for former Oregon State University star Steve Johnson. Johnson was a high-scoring forward-center who the team intended to pair with Bowie on the frontline. It was not to be, as Bowie broke his leg five games into the 1986–87 season, missing the next two and a half seasons.{{Cite news |date=November 9, 1986 |title=Broken leg sidelines Sam Bowie |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/MH/lib00246,0EB3661A47E857D7.html |work=Miami Herald}}{{Cite news |date=October 19, 1987 |title=Blazers' Bowie breaks his leg—again |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-searc/we/Archives?p_product=PI&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB29D8666D6699E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer}} {{dead link|date=December 2011|bot=RjwilmsiBot}} During Schuler's brief tenure, the Blazers failed to advance out of the first round of the NBA playoffs.

In 1988, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen purchased the Blazers for $70 million.{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Monte |date=December 4, 2008 |title=Rebound |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/1222/083.html#fe5b2d1f4ca8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214074022/https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/1222/083.html#fe5b2d1f4ca8 |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 13, 2018 |website=Forbes |quote=Allen bought the team [the Trailblazers] in 1988 for $70 million.}}{{Cite news |date=June 1, 1988 |title=Trail Blazers Deal |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE4D81739F932A35755C0A96E948260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219091004/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE4D81739F932A35755C0A96E948260 |archive-date=December 19, 2007 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=The New York Times}} At the time of the purchase, Allen, then 35, became the youngest team owner in the Big Four professional sports.{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2008 |title=Sports Overview |url=https://www.vulcan.com/areas-of-practice/investments/key-initiatives/sports-overview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073648/https://www.vulcan.com/areas-of-practice/investments/key-initiatives/sports-overview |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 13, 2018 |website=Vulcan |publisher=Forbes |quote=In 1988, Paul Allen became the youngest owner in professional sports when he purchased the Portland Trail Blazers at age 35.}} His first season as owner was one marked by turmoil, as conflicts erupted over who should start at several positions. Both Vandeweghe and Johnson suffered injuries; they were replaced in the starting lineup by Jerome Kersey and Kevin Duckworth. Several players, most notably Drexler, were accused of undermining Schuler.{{Cite magazine |last=McCallum |first=Jack |author-link=Jack McCallum |date=January 16, 1989 |title=Is anybody happy here? |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} The team went 25–22 to open the 1988–89 season, and Schuler was fired. He was replaced on an interim basis with assistant coach Rick Adelman,{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Clifton |date=March 5, 1989 |title=PRO BASKETBALL; Changing Team Chemistry Adds Risk to Equation |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE3DE1E3AF936A35750C0A96F948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321042405/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/05/sports/pro-basketball-changing-team-chemistry-adds-risk-to-equation.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=The New York Times}} and Vandeweghe was traded to the New York Knicks.{{Cite news |last=Goldaper |first=Sam |date=April 25, 1989 |title=A Question Mark for Vandeweghe |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DEEDB113EF936A15757C0A96F948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024230/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/25/sports/a-question-mark-for-vandeweghe.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |work=The New York Times}} Under Adelman, the team went 14–21 to finish the season, and barely qualified for the playoffs. That off-season, the team traded Sam Bowie (who had returned to the team to end the season) to the New Jersey Nets for forward Buck Williams, and Adelman was given the coaching job on a non-interim basis.

The addition of Williams, and the replacement of the defensively challenged Vandeweghe with the defensive-minded Kersey, turned the team from a poor defensive squad into a good one.{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dave |date=December 28, 1990 |title=Man at Work: Buck Blends With Blazers |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEEDA103FF93BA15751C1A966958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024230/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/28/sports/sports-of-the-times-man-at-work-buck-blends-with-blazers.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=The New York Times}} Led by Drexler, the team reached the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992, losing to the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls. Possibly inspired by the {{nfly|1985}} Chicago Bears' "Super Bowl Shuffle", during the run-up to their 1990 Finals appearance, the Blazers recorded two songs: "Bust a Bucket" and "Rip City Rhapsody" (with music played and recorded by Josh Mellicker, "Rip City" being a reference to the city's nickname). The year in between their two finals appearances, the team posted a league-best 63–19 record before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals, including a heartbreaker in game 6 where, in the final seconds, Cliff Robinson dropped a pass while standing directly under the basket, and then, with a few seconds left, Terry Porter's desperation wide-open 20-footer bounced out. However, the team failed to win an NBA title, and failed to advance past the first round in 1993 and 1994. Adelman was fired after the 1994 season,{{Cite news |date=May 20, 1994 |title=Trail Blazers fire Adelman |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9907E7DE1338F933A15756C0A962958260&sec=&spon= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024204/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/20/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-trail-blazers-fire-adelman.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=The New York Times}} and replaced with P. J. Carlesimo,{{Cite news |date=June 24, 1994 |title=Carlesimo Leaves Hall To Coach Trail Blazers |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901EED81E3DF937A15755C0A962958260&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/C/Carlesimo,%20P.%20J. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024242/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/24/sports/pro-basketball-carlesimo-leaves-hall-to-coach-trail-blazers.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=The New York Times}} which led to the resignation of executive vice-president Geoff Petrie, a close friend of Adelman's.{{Cite news |last=Powell |first=Shaun |date=May 30, 1994 |title=Allen is ready to write a program for the Blazers |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n22_v217/ai_15278643 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904080620/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n22_v217/ai_15278643 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=The Sporting News}}

In July 1994, the Trail Blazers announced the hiring of a new team president, former Seattle SuperSonics general manager Bob Whitsitt. Whitsitt, known as "Trader Bob" for his penchant for engaging player-exchange transactions,{{Cite news |last=Nelson |first=Glenn |date=June 22, 1994 |title='Trader Bob' Makes Final Deal |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19940622/1916842/trader-bob-makes-final-deal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010111707/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940622&slug=1916842 |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |access-date=June 24, 2012 |work=The Seattle Times}} immediately set about revamping the Blazers roster; this included dismantling the aging Drexler-led team that had twice been to the finals.{{Cite news |last=Drexler |first=Clyde |date=September 3, 2004 |title=It is a crime what has happened |url=http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=25742 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121717/http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=25742 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=Portland Tribune}} Drexler requested to be traded to a contender, and the Trail Blazers traded him to the Houston Rockets. In the fall of 1995, the team left the Memorial Coliseum for a new home, the 20,000-seat Rose Garden Arena. The sellout streak ended in the new building.

Several players left in free agency, including Terry Porter (1995), Buck Williams (1996), and Clifford Robinson (1997).{{Cite web |title=NBA.com/Stats |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/clifford_robinson/bio.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012105533/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/clifford_robinson/bio.html |archive-date=October 12, 2009 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=nba.com}} Meanwhile, Trail Blazer management decided to leave Jerome Kersey unprotected in the 1995 expansion draft.{{Cite web |title=All-time NBA Expansion draft results |url=http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/draft_central_expansion_alltime_results.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116123003/http://www.nba.com/bobcats/news/draft_central_expansion_alltime_results.html |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |publisher=National Basketball Association}}

In an effort to quickly rebuild the team's roster, they acquired several players who were highly talented but had negative reputations for off-court troubles. Isaiah Rider was traded to the team by the Minnesota Timberwolves for a draft pick, and was considered to be a problematic player due to his previous arrests for assault, gambling and marijuana possession.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 1996 |title=Rider still a valuable commodity to Wolves |url=http://www.mndaily.com/articles/1996/07/01/973 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611094136/http://www.mndaily.com/articles/1996/07/01/973 |archive-date=June 11, 2009 |access-date=March 26, 2008 |website=Minnesota Daily}} He was arrested for marijuana possession just two days before his expected debut with the Blazers.{{Cite news |date=November 1, 1996 |title=Rider Finds Trouble As a Trail Blazer |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A01EFD71E39F932A35752C1A960958260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201024244/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/01/sports/riders-finds-trouble-as-a-trail-blazer.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=March 26, 2008 |work=The New York Times}} Rasheed Wallace, who had garnered a reputation as a hot-tempered player since college,{{Cite magazine |last=Sokolove |first=Michael |date=November 6, 1995 |title=Rich and famous – Washington Bullets' Rasheed Wallace – NBA Special |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n45_v219/ai_17519462 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904080620/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n45_v219/ai_17519462 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=April 1, 2008 |magazine=The Sporting News}} was also acquired in a trade with the Washington Bullets.[http://articles.philly.com/1996-07-16/sports/25622070_1_bill-ellerbee-blazers-president-bob-whitsitt-rasheed-wallace Bullets Trade Wallace To Blazers: Hawks Sign Mutombo Rasheed Dealt To Blazers Bullets Part With Gratz Star In Trade For Strickland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002534/http://articles.philly.com/1996-07-16/sports/25622070_1_bill-ellerbee-blazers-president-bob-whitsitt-rasheed-wallace |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Philadelphia Daily News Point guard Kenny Anderson was signed as a free agent,{{Cite news |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |date=March 17, 1997 |title=Rift city—Portland Trail Blazers |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n11_v221/ai_19220627 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609053758/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n11_v221/ai_19220627 |archive-date=June 9, 2008 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |work=The Sporting News}} and subsequently traded to the Toronto Raptors for Damon Stoudamire in February 1998; the Raptors traded Anderson to the Boston Celtics five days later, because he did not want to play in Canada for the 3 year old franchise.{{Cite magazine |date=February 14, 1998 |title=Blazers obtain Stoudamire from Raptors, Darrel Walker resigns |url=http://robots.cnnsi.com/basketball/nba/news/1998/02/14/news.torpordeal.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212033011/http://robots.cnnsi.com/basketball/nba/news/1998/02/14/news.torpordeal.html |archive-date=December 12, 2007 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} The team found success and eventually returned to the Western Conference finals in 1999 under head coach Mike Dunleavy. They beat the Phoenix Suns in the first round, sweeping them 3-0 and made history as it was the first time the Blazers had advanced from the first round since 1992. In the Semi-finals, they defeated the two-time defending Western Conference champions Utah Jazz with a 4–2 victory series. In the Western Conference Finals, they faced the San Antonio Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, and were subsequently defeated in a 4–0 sweep.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

After the failed championship run, Whitsitt sent Rider, who was the leading scorer that season with 13.9 points per game, and guard Jim Jackson to the Atlanta Hawks for guard Steve Smith. In one of their biggest acquisitions yet, the team added six-time champion and seven-time All-Star Scottie Pippen from the Houston Rockets. In the 1999–2000 season, the team advanced to the Western Conference finals, where they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 3–1 in the opening round and the Utah Jazz 4–1 in the semifinals. They advanced to the conference finals where they faced a Los Angeles Lakers team led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. In that series, the Trail Blazers lost 3 of the first 4 games but came back to win games 5 and 6, forcing a game 7. The Blazers had a 15-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter, but eventually lost their lead when the Lakers had a 25–4 run. The Trail Blazers lost game 7, 89–84 and the Lakers won the championship.{{Cite magazine |date=June 5, 2000 |title=Dreadful drought: Blazers dry spell allows Lakers to take Game 7 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2000/playoffs/news/2000/06/04/blazers_lakers_ap/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203012432/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2000/playoffs/news/2000/06/04/blazers_lakers_ap/ |archive-date=December 3, 2007 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}

One of the most infamous periods in Trail Blazers history is the era of the "Jail Blazers." Though the team had experienced its fair share of controversy and issues in prior seasons,{{cite web |title=Salt Lake City police investigating Blazers |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1993/01/26/salt-lake-city-police-investigating-blazers/ |website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=7 June 2024}} many consider the "Jail Blazers" saga starting during the 2000–2001 season. The team made a series of personnel moves in the 2000 and 2001 off-seasons that failed to produce success. Forward Jermaine O'Neal was traded to the Indiana Pacers for Dale Davis. Brian Grant signed with the Miami Heat, and was replaced with ex-Seattle forward Shawn Kemp.{{Cite news |last=Deveney |first=Sean |date=August 6, 2001 |title=Blazers make the right move |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_32_225/ai_77227873 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060528083716/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_32_225/ai_77227873 |archive-date=May 28, 2006 |access-date=November 6, 2007 |work=The Sporting News}} The team started off well and had a 12-game winning streak in February and March in the regular season. The team signed guard Rod Strickland mid-season to augment their point guard corps.{{Cite news |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |date=March 9, 2001 |title=Where was L.A. on Strickland? |url=http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=2146 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121717/http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=2146 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=Portland Tribune}} The team finished as 6th seed in the Western Conference with a 49–33 record, which qualified them for the playoff finals for the 20th consecutive year. They were eliminated in the first round, losing 0–3 to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Some media outlets began to criticize the team,{{Cite web |last=Patrick |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Patrick (sportscaster) |date=December 6, 2001 |title=Shame on these Fail-Blazers |url=https://www.espn.com/talent/danpatrick/s/2001/0427/1187727.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319150751/http://espn.go.com/talent/danpatrick/s/2001/0427/1187727.html |archive-date=March 19, 2008 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |publisher=ESPN}} and questioned Whitsitt's decisions and position as manager.{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Dave |date=May 21, 2001 |title=Blazers won't be under control until Whitsitt is |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_21_225/ai_75089858 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904080620/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_21_225/ai_75089858 |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=The Sporting News}} A popular criticism was that Whitsitt was attempting to win a championship title by assembling a roster of stars, without paying attention to team chemistry. Longtime NBA coach and analyst, Doug Collins, referred to Whitsitt as a "rotisserie-league manager". Fans were publicly disapproving of Whitsitt; one fan even attending a game with a banner reading "Trade Whitsitt" that they displayed in the crowd before eventually getting ejected from the venue. Tensions continued to rise within the franchise and media outlets started reporting on the teams internal personnel issues and the criminal activity that players were involved in. Mainstream media began referring to the team as "The Jail Blazers" because of all these problems.{{Cite news |last=Jung |first=Helen |date=February 20, 2004 |title=Revised Blazers on road to rehabilitation |url=https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/news/hits/040220to.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060920143340/https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/news/hits/040220to.htm |archive-date=September 20, 2006 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=The Oregonian}}{{Cite news |last=Wise |first=Mike |date=November 22, 1997 |title=Anderson, Blissful Blazer With a New Perspective |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00F11FA385F0C718EDDA80994DF494D81 |access-date=March 19, 2011 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |last1=Redden |first1=Jim |last2=Giegerich |first2=Andy |date=November 29, 2002 |title='Jail Blazers' image lives on |url=http://thetribonline.com/news/print_story.php?story_id=15264 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121716/http://thetribonline.com/news/print_story.php?story_id=15264 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=Portland Tribune}}

That off-season, Dunleavy was fired{{Cite magazine |date=May 9, 2001 |title=Trail Blazers fire coach Mike Dunleavy |url=http://robots.cnnsi.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/news.dunleavy.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212033021/http://robots.cnnsi.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/news.dunleavy.html |archive-date=December 12, 2007 |access-date=November 2, 2007 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} and replaced with Maurice Cheeks, who was considered a "players' coach" because he was a former player in the NBA. The hiring of Cheeks was thought to be a positive decision as many believed he would relate more to the players than Dunleavy did.{{Cite news |date=June 28, 2001 |title=Blazers name Cheeks as head coach |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/blazers-name-cheeks-as-head-coach-1.279464 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212005516/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2001/06/27/blazers010627.html |archive-date=December 12, 2007 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=CBC Sports |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}} Cheeks brought on Dan Panaggio as assistant coach after a failed courtship with Henry Bibby of Southern California.{{Cite web |title=ESPN.com: NBA – After not getting Bibby, Cheeks picks Panaggio as Blazers assistant |url=http://a.espncdn.com/nba/s/2001/0708/1223947.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404062650/http://a.espncdn.com/nba/s/2001/0708/1223947.html |archive-date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=March 24, 2016 |website=a.espncdn.com}} More transactions followed as the Blazers traded Steve Smith to the Spurs for Derek Anderson, but issues began when Shawn Kemp checked himself into a rehab for cocaine use in April 2001. That same season, Whitsitt made one of his most controversial moves in signing free agent Ruben Patterson, who had previously pleaded no contest to a felony sexual assault charge and was required to register as a sex offender.{{Cite news |date=July 31, 2001 |title=Patterson signs offer sheet with Blazers |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2001/0730/1232758.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915174404/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2001/0730/1232758.html |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} In 2002, police responded to a security alarm alert at Damon Stoudamire's house, though no intruders were there. After smelling marijuana in the home, they searched the premises and found a pound of cannabis located in a crawlspace;{{Cite news |last=Redden |first=Jim |date=May 28, 2002 |title=An inside look at Damon's pot case |url=http://thetribonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=11752 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121717/http://thetribonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=11752 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=Portland Tribune}} the search was later declared illegal and all charges were dropped.{{Cite news |date=August 8, 2002 |title=COURT NEWS; Oregon Judge Rules For Stoudamire |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E1DA163AF93BA3575BC0A9649C8B63&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FSubjects%2FM%2FMarijuana |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321042402/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/08/sports/plus-court-news-oregon-judge-rules-for-stoudamire.html?n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes+Topics%2FSubjects%2FM%2FMarijuana |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=The New York Times}} In 2003, several of the players, including Wallace, Stoudamire, and Qyntel Woods, were cited for marijuana possession.{{Cite news |last=Robbins |first=Liz |date=December 3, 2003 |title=Trail Blazers Trying to Fix a Troubled Family |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFD9123DF935A35751C1A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |access-date=April 1, 2008 |work=The New York Times}} That same year, Wallace was suspended for seven games for threatening a referee – one of many incidents in his tumultuous relationship with NBA referees, which at the time stemmed from his belief that some of the referees were fixing the games against him and his teammates.{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2003 |title=Wallace suspended for threatening ref; Blazers cry foul |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0118/1494990.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915174419/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0118/1494990.html |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2009 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}{{cite web |last1=Wire |first1=Celtics |title=Rasheed Wallace on the moment he learned about ref Tim Donaghy's indictment |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/rasheed-wallace-moment-learned-ref-130025524.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAD8gOQmaNtwtaUU63go_U-d_U5MwuBo0YKt_09HBVcVBrc3Z48P7iUFGtqyDjc4ZHgfTiFJZRQDfsjfyLdMuPPeWCnHubnao0TTGWg5BOyqpeWwK9J6HgbvE-1GT46ouaP6tJVyBrORSsB7S3a-F19MHTb7c-od0hCQgsaMfvSRW |website=Yahoo Sports |date=September 20, 2023 |access-date=7 June 2024}} Also during the 2003 season, Zach Randolph and Patterson got into an altercation in the locker room in which Patterson slammed Randolph onto the floor, an incident that later became known as the NBA's "The Slam Heard Around The World."{{cite web |last1=Price |first1=Joe |title=Rasheed Wallace Recalls Instigating Zach Randolph and Ruben Patterson Locker Room Fight: 'We Felt Real Bad' |url=https://www.complex.com/sports/a/backwoodsaltar/rasheed-wallace-zach-randolph-ruben-patterson-instigate |website=Complex |access-date=7 June 2024}} The feud between players continued and they later got in a fight during practice, with Randolph sucker punching his teammate and fracturing Patterson's left eye socket, an injury which took Patterson out of their playoff run.{{Cite news |last=May |first=Peter |date=May 4, 2003 |title=Randolph's punch may KO Blazers' season |url=http://static.espn.go.com/nba/columns/may_peter/1534008.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915174423/http://static.espn.go.com/nba/columns/may_peter/1534008.html |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2009 |publisher=ESPN}} Guard Bonzi Wells famously told Sports Illustrated in a 2002 interview: "We're not really going to worry about what the hell (the fans) think about us. They really don't matter to us. They can boo us everyday, but they're still going to ask for our autographs if they see us on the street. That's why they're fans, and we're NBA players." Wells was fined $50,000 by the Blazers for the statement.{{Cite book |last=Benedict |first=Jeff |url=https://archive.org/details/outofboundsinsid00bene/page/122 |title=Out of Bounds: Inside the NBA's Culture of Rape, Violence, and Crime |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-06-072602-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/outofboundsinsid00bene/page/122 122] |url-access=registration}} Later in 2005, Woods pleaded guilty to first-degree animal abuse for staging dog fights in his house, some involving his pit bull named Hollywood. Woods' dogs were confiscated, and Woods was given eighty hours of community service. He also agreed to donate $10,000 to the Oregon Humane Society.{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2005 |title=Qyntel Woods Pleads Guilty to Animal Abuse Charges |url=http://www.oregonhumane.org/news/QyntelWoodsGuilty.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308153948/http://www.oregonhumane.org/news/QyntelWoodsGuilty.htm |archive-date=March 8, 2008 |access-date=April 1, 2008 |publisher=Oregon Humane Society}}

In the summer of 2003, attendance to games was steadily declining alongside the team's reputation. With an exorbitant payroll, Whitsitt announced that he would leave the team to focus on Paul Allen's other franchise, the Seattle Seahawks.{{Cite news |date=May 8, 2003 |title=Blazers President Quits, Leaving Troubled Team |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE4DA163FF93BA35756C0A9659C8B63 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=The New York Times}}

To replace Whitsitt, the team hired two men at new positions. John Nash, a veteran NBA executive, was hired as general manager,{{Cite news |date=July 16, 2003 |title=Report: Blazers Hire Nash As GM |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-75383669.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517102006/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-75383669.html |archive-date=May 17, 2011 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |agency=Associated Press}} and Steve Patterson as team president.{{Cite news |date=June 18, 2003 |title=NBA Basketball: Blazers hire Steve Patterson as new president |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-103597795.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517101950/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-103597795.html |archive-date=May 17, 2011 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=Sports Network}} The new management promised a focus on character while remaining playoff contenders; the team soon published a "25-Point Pledge" to fans.{{Cite web |title=25 Point Pledge |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/25_point_pledge.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717180334/http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/25_point_pledge.html |archive-date=July 17, 2006 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |website=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}} Troublesome players including Wells, Wallace, and Jeff McInnis were traded. However, the team failed to qualify for the 2004 NBA playoffs, ending a streak of 21 consecutive playoff appearances.

The following year in 2005, the team plummeted to a 27–55 record. The bankruptcy of the Oregon Arena corporation resulted in the Rose Garden becoming owned by a variety of investment firms. Cheeks was fired that season and replaced on an interim basis by director of player-personnel Kevin Pritchard.{{Cite news |last=Robbins |first=Liz |date=March 6, 2005 |title=In Portland, Misery and lots of company |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/sports/basketball/06hoops.ready.html?n=Top/News/Sports/Pro%20Basketball/National%20Basketball%20Association/Portland%20Trail%20Blazers&pagewanted=all&position= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706174121/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/06/sports/basketball/in-portland-misery-and-lots-of-company.html |archive-date=July 6, 2023 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=The New York Times}} That summer the team hired Nate McMillan, who had coached the Sonics the prior season,{{Cite news |date=July 7, 2005 |title=McMillan leaves Seattle for Portland |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2101994 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102115527/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2101994 |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |publisher=ESPN}} as head coach and Pritchard returned to the front office.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In the 2005–06 season, the Blazers posted a historic 21–61 record, the worst league record at the time.{{Cite news |last=Ely |first=Brucy |date=April 6, 2006 |title=Fans react as the Trail Blazers season comes to an end |work=The Oregonian}} Attendance to games decreased, and the year was not free of player incidents. Players such as Miles, Patterson, Randolph, and Sebastian Telfair were involved in either on-court bickering or off-court legal incidents. Nash was fired at the end of the season, with Steve Patterson assuming the general manager role in addition to his duties as president.{{Cite news |date=May 31, 2006 |title=Nash won't return as Trail Blazers' general manager |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2463998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713143146/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2463998 |archive-date=July 13, 2007 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |agency=Associated Press}} In addition, the team had a poor relationship with the management of the Rose Garden, frequently complaining of a "broken economic model".{{Cite news |last=Jorgenson |first=Loren |date=February 26, 2006 |title=The not-so-great Northwest |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060226/ai_n16188451 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103203839/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060226/ai_n16188451 |archive-date=November 3, 2007 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |work=Deseret Morning News}} It was widely speculated by the end of the year that Paul Allen would sell the team, and the team was offered for sale that summer, with several groups expressing interest.{{Cite news |last=Jung |first=Helen |date=June 7, 2006 |title=It's official: Blazers and Rose Garden are for sale |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/06/its_official_blazers_and_rose.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930161637/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/06/its_official_blazers_and_rose.html |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |work=The Oregonian}} However, Allen was willing to spend money and urged Pritchard to make draft-day trades. He subsequently took the team off the market.{{Cite news |last=Jung |first=Helen |date=August 3, 2006 |title=Rose Garden statement on no sale of Blazers |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/08/rose_garden_statement_on_no_sa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930161645/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2006/08/rose_garden_statement_on_no_sa.html |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |work=The Oregonian}}

File:Brandon Roy Wizards.jpg was chosen as the NBA Rookie of the Year after the 2006–07 season.]]

In the 2006 NBA draft, the Blazers traded Viktor Khryapa and the draft rights for Tyrus Thomas to acquire LaMarcus Aldridge. They also traded for the sixth pick, which became Brandon Roy. In the spring of 2007, Steve Patterson resigned as team president,{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2007 |title=Tod Leiweke to Assume Management Oversight for the Portland Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/TOD_LEIWEKE_TO_ASSUME_MANAGEME-213195-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303074608/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/TOD_LEIWEKE_TO_ASSUME_MANAGEME-213195-1218.html |archive-date=March 3, 2007 |access-date=June 23, 2007 |publisher=Portland Trail Blazers}} and Paul Allen repurchased the Rose Garden.{{Cite press release |title=Vulcan Inc. completes acquisition of Rose Garden arena |date=April 2, 2007 |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/FINAL%20-%20Rose%20Garden%20Acquisition%20%2800155471%29.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325170431/http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/FINAL%20-%20Rose%20Garden%20Acquisition%20%2800155471%29.PDF |archive-date=March 25, 2009 |work=The Oregonian}} On the court, the team finished with a 32–50 record, an 11-game improvement, and Roy was named the 2006–07 Rookie of the Year.{{Cite news |date=May 3, 2007 |title=Trail Blazers' Brandon Roy Named 2006–07 T-Mobile NBA Rookie of the Year |url=http://www.nba.com/news/awards2007_rookie.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116115620/http://www.nba.com/news/awards2007_rookie.html |archive-date=January 16, 2012 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |publisher=National Basketball Association}} That summer, Kevin Pritchard was promoted to general manager,{{Cite web |title=Kevin Pritchard named general manager of Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Kevin_Pritchard_Named_General_-218032-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116122930/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Kevin_Pritchard_Named_General_-218032-1218.html |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers website |publisher=Portland Trail Blazers}} and former Nike executive Larry Miller was hired as team president. The Blazers won the 2007 NBA draft lottery and selected Ohio State center Greg Oden with the No. 1 pick. Some speculated they might choose Kevin Durant instead;{{Cite news |last=Freeman |first=Joe |date=June 22, 2007 |title=Durant wows Blazers |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2007/06/durant_wows_blazers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004053348/http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2007/06/durant_wows_blazers.html |archive-date=October 4, 2008 |access-date=January 27, 2009 |work=Oregon Live}} Durant was picked at No. 2 by the Seattle SuperSonics. Oden suffered a pre-season knee injury requiring microfracture surgery and missed the entire 2007–08 season.{{Cite news |date=September 14, 2007 |title=Oden's recovery from surgery likely in range of 6–12 months |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3017538 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118074735/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3017538 |archive-date=January 18, 2016 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |publisher=ESPN}} Oden's injury woes and Durant's success drew comparisons to the Blazers' selection of Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan in 1984.{{Cite news |last=Spears |first=Mark J. |date=April 1, 2011 |title=Recovering Oden aware of 'Sam Bowie talk' |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-oden_injury_return_sam_bowie_blazers040111 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810194953/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-oden_injury_return_sam_bowie_blazers040111 |archive-date=August 10, 2011 |access-date=June 24, 2012 |work=Yahoo! Sports}}

Despite this, the Trail Blazers had a 13-game winning streak starting in early December, resulting in an NBA-best 13–2 record for the month. Nate McMillan won NBA Coach of the Month, and Roy earned NBA Western Conference Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks—the first Blazer to do so since Clyde Drexler in 1990–91. Roy was selected to the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, the first Blazer All-Star since Rasheed Wallace in 2001.{{Cite web |title=Brandon Roy Named Western Conference All-Star |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Brandon_Roy_Named_Western_Conf-255617-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212204424/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Brandon_Roy_Named_Western_Conf-255617-1218.html |archive-date=February 12, 2008 |access-date=January 31, 2008 |publisher=NBA}} The Blazers finished the season 41–41, their best record since 2003–04. Following the season, they became the only NBA team in the Pacific Northwest after the Seattle SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City.

During the 2008–09 season, Greg Oden finally debuted, playing in 61 games. Portland also added international talent with Spanish swingman Rudy Fernández and French-native Nicolas Batum, who emerged as a skilled defensive forward. Roy made his second straight All-Star Game appearance, and Fernández competed in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend. Roy had a career-high 52 points against the Phoenix Suns and hit game-winning shots against the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks.{{Cite web |title=2009 All-Star Rosters |url=http://www.nba.com/allstar2009/players/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527211324/http://www.nba.com/allstar2009/players/ |archive-date=May 27, 2009 |access-date=July 25, 2009 |publisher=NBA}}{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2008 |title=Blazers end 11-game skid vs. Phoenix behind Roy's career-high 52 |url=http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=281218022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409171724/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=281218022 |archive-date=April 9, 2009 |access-date=July 25, 2009 |publisher=ESPN}}{{Cite web |date=November 6, 2008 |title=Roy's buzzer-beating 3-pointer sinks Rockets in overtime |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=281106022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425011635/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=281106022 |archive-date=April 25, 2009 |access-date=July 25, 2009 |publisher=ESPN}}{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2009 |title=Roy's buzzer-beating lay up hands Knicks fourth straight defeat |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290208022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228073931/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290208022 |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |access-date=July 25, 2009 |publisher=ESPN}} The Blazers clinched their first playoff berth since 2003 with a 54–28 record, their best since 2002–03, but lost in the first round to the Houston Rockets in six games.

In the 2009 off-season, the Blazers traded the No. 24 pick to Dallas for the No. 22 pick and selected Víctor Claver. They also picked Villanova forward Dante Cunningham, Jon Brockman, and guard Patrick Mills. Brockman was traded to the Kings for No. 31 pick Jeff Pendergraph. Free agent Channing Frye signed with Phoenix, and Sergio Rodríguez was traded to the Kings. The Blazers attempted to sign free agents Hedo Türkoğlu and Paul Millsap, but Türkoğlu signed with Toronto, and Utah matched the offer for Millsap. On July 24, the Blazers signed point guard Andre Miller.

Despite a winning record, the 2009–10 season was marred by injuries. Reserves Batum and Fernández started on the inactive list, and forward Travis Outlaw followed with a serious foot injury. Centers Oden and Joel Przybilla suffered season-ending knee injuries, while Roy and Aldridge played through various injuries. Head Coach Nate McMillan also ruptured his Achilles tendon during practice. To fill the void at center, the Blazers acquired Marcus Camby from the Clippers for Steve Blake and Outlaw. Despite these challenges, the Blazers finished 50–32, securing the 6th seed in the West. Roy underwent surgery for a torn meniscus but returned for Game 4 of the first-round series against the Phoenix Suns.{{Cite web |last=Hollinger |first=John |date=April 24, 2010 |title=Roy returns for Trail Blazers |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/TrueHoop/post/_/id/15382/roy-returns-for-trail-blazers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426013351/http://espn.go.com/blog/TrueHoop/post/_/id/15382/roy-returns-for-trail-blazers |archive-date=April 26, 2010 |access-date=April 24, 2010 |publisher=ESPN}} However, the Blazers lost the series 4–2 to the Suns.{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2010 |title=Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers – Recap – April 29, 2010 – ESPN |url=http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300429022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501172715/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300429022 |archive-date=May 1, 2010 |access-date=April 30, 2010 |publisher=ESPN}}

File:LaMarcus Aldridge1.jpg played the first nine years of his pro career in Portland.]]

During the 2010 off-season, the Blazers' front office saw significant changes with Rich Cho becoming the new general manager, succeeding Kevin Pritchard. Cho became the first Asian-American GM in NBA history.{{Cite web |title=News & latest headlines from AOL |url=http://www.aolnews.com/2010/07/19/portland-trail-blazers-name-rich-cho-general-manager/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910213709/http://www.aolnews.com/2010/07/19/portland-trail-blazers-name-rich-cho-general-manager/ |archive-date=September 10, 2012 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=AOL.com}} On August 12, the Blazers signed two new assistant general managers, Bill Branch and Steve Rosenberry, replacing Tom Penn, who was released in March.{{Cite news |date=August 12, 2010 |title=Trail Blazers name Bill Branch, Steve Rosenberry assistant general managers |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/08/trail_blazers_name_bill_branch.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814124940/http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/08/trail_blazers_name_bill_branch.html |archive-date=August 14, 2010 |access-date=August 12, 2010 |work=The Oregonian}} The organization also made changes to McMillan's coaching staff, hiring Bernie Bickerstaff, Bob Ociepka, and Buck Williams.

Similar to the previous season, the 2010–11 season was plagued by injuries. Jeff Pendergraph and rookie guard Elliot Williams suffered knee injuries, sidelining them for the season. In November, Oden underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee, ending his season.{{Cite news |date=November 17, 2010 |title=Breaking news: Blazers Greg Oden faces another microfracture surgery |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/11/breaking_news_blazers_greg_ode.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121032000/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/11/breaking_news_blazers_greg_ode.html |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |access-date=November 18, 2010 |work=The Oregonian |publisher=OregonLive.com}} Brandon Roy also underwent double arthroscopic surgery on January 17, 2011, to repair both knees, casting doubt on his future. Days later, Marcus Camby had arthroscopic knee surgery.

Despite the injuries, the Blazers remained competitive, with LaMarcus Aldridge emerging as the focal point of the team. Wesley Matthews also proved his worth in Roy's absence. Believing the team could make a playoff run, Cho made a trade on February 24, 2011, sending Dante Cunningham, Joel Przybilla, and Sean Marks to the Charlotte Bobcats for former All-Star Gerald Wallace.{{Cite news |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Trail Blazers' abrupt dismissal of GM Cho is simply disgraceful |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ian_thomsen/05/23/rich.cho.blazers/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527071727/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ian_thomsen/05/23/rich.cho.blazers/ |archive-date=May 27, 2011 |access-date=May 24, 2011 |work=CNN}} The Blazers won 48 games, securing another playoff berth but were eliminated in the first round by the eventual champion Dallas Mavericks in six games.

In the 2011 off-season, the Blazers released Cho, reportedly due to communication and "chemistry issues" with owner Paul Allen. Chad Buchanan took over as interim GM. Cho's dismissal was criticized as "illogical" by Sports Illustrated, though they noted that Allen had made many questionable moves during his tenure as owner.

On June 23, 2011, in the NBA draft, the Blazers selected guards Nolan Smith from Duke with the 21st pick and Jon Diebler from Ohio State with the 51st pick. On the same day, the Blazers made a three-team trade with the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks, sending Andre Miller to Denver and Rudy Fernández to Dallas, and acquiring Raymond Felton from Denver.{{Cite news |date=June 23, 2011 |title=Trail Blazers trade Andre Miller to Denver for Raymond Felton; Rudy Fernandez headed to Dallas |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/06/trail_blazers_reportedly_trade.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626231508/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/06/trail_blazers_reportedly_trade.html |archive-date=June 26, 2011 |access-date=June 25, 2011 |work=Oregonlive}}

The 2011 NBA lockout halted transactions until early December, when the Blazers faced several setbacks: Brandon Roy announced his retirement due to chronic knee problems, Greg Oden had yet another knee setback, and LaMarcus Aldridge underwent heart surgery.{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2011 |title=LaMarcus Aldridge's Heart Surgery Another Hurdle Trail Blazers Won't Overcome |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/977033-lamarcus-aldridges-heart-surgery-another-hurdle-trail-blazers-wont-overcome |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113212312/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/977033-lamarcus-aldridges-heart-surgery-another-hurdle-trail-blazers-wont-overcome |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |access-date=December 12, 2011 |website=Bleacher Report}} Interim GM Chad Buchanan signed three free agents: Kurt Thomas, Jamal Crawford, and Craig Smith.{{Cite news |date=December 16, 2011 |title=Trail Blazers introduce Jamal Crawford and Craig Smith, who will look to bolster the bench |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/12/trail_blazers_introduce_jamal_crawford_and_craig_s.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213082307/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/12/trail_blazers_introduce_jamal_crawford_and_craig_s.html |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=May 6, 2013 |work=The Oregonian}}

In the shortened 2011–12 season, the Blazers started 7–2{{Cite web |title=HoopsHype – The NBA Basketball Web Site |url=http://www.hoopsworld.com/portlands-success-due-to-smart-management |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213022953/http://www.hoopsworld.com/portlands-success-due-to-smart-management |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=hoopsworld.com}} but quickly collapsed as starting point guard Raymond Felton and others struggled with McMillan's new running-style offense. Despite Aldridge making his first All-Star Game, the team remained inconsistent.

On March 15, 2012, the Blazers made several moves, trading Marcus Camby to Houston and Gerald Wallace to New Jersey for expiring contracts and draft picks. They also released Greg Oden and fired head coach Nate McMillan, naming Kaleb Canales as interim head coach. The team finished with a 28–38 record and missed the playoffs for the first time in three years.

At the 2012 NBA draft lottery on May 30, the Blazers secured the number 6 pick via the Brooklyn Nets and the number 11 pick due to their own record. Neil Olshey became the new GM in June, ending over a year of interim management.{{Cite news |date=June 4, 2012 |title=Trail Blazers hire Neil Olshey as general manager after Olshey shuns Clippers |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/06/trail_blazers_set_to_hire_neil_olshey_as_general_m.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607180227/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/06/trail_blazers_set_to_hire_neil_olshey_as_general_m.html |archive-date=June 7, 2012 |access-date=June 10, 2012 |work=The Oregonian}}

File:Damian Lillard against the Cleveland Cavaliers (cropped).jpg is a seven-time NBA All-Star (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023) and was the unanimous choice for the NBA Rookie of the Year following the 2012–13 season.]]

On June 28, 2012, the Blazers selected Weber State guard Damian Lillard and University of Illinois center Meyers Leonard with the 6th and 11th picks overall, respectively. They also selected University of Memphis guard Will Barton with the 40th pick overall, and traded the rights of the 41st overall pick, University of Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor, to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations.

Headed by their new general manager Olshey, the Trail Blazers front office further made a few changes during July 2012. The Blazers signed their 30th pick from the 2006 draft, Joel Freeland, and their 22nd pick from the 2009 draft, Víctor Claver,{{Cite web |title=Transactions: 2012–13 season |url=http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2012_13/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723072230/http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2012_13/ |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |access-date=July 23, 2012 |website=NBA.com}} as well as re-signing Hickson and Nicolas Batum. They also signed veteran point guard Ronnie Price to back up Lillard, who was selected as co-MVP of the 2012 Las Vegas Summer League.{{Cite news |date=July 22, 2012 |title=Blazers' Damian Lillard, Grizzlies' Josh Selby selected co-MVPs of NBA's Vegas Summer League |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/07/blazers_damian_lillard_grizzlies_josh_selby_select.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203065836/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/07/blazers_damian_lillard_grizzlies_josh_selby_select.html |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=November 30, 2013 |work=The Oregonian}} Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Terry Stotts was hired as head coach on August 7, 2012.{{Cite web |last=Ben Golliver |date=August 7, 2012 |title=Blazers Hire Terry Stotts As Head Coach |url=http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/8/7/3226703/blazers-hire-terry-stotts-as-head-coach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083133/http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/8/7/3226703/blazers-hire-terry-stotts-as-head-coach |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=Blazer's Edge}}

Under the reins of Lillard, the Blazers played well into January 2013, posting a 20–15 record. On January 11, 2013, at home against the Miami Heat, Wesley Matthews made two consecutive three-pointers late in the fourth quarter to help the Blazers secure a 92–90 victory.{{Cite web |title=Heat at Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20130110/MIAPOR/gameinfo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121716/http://www.nba.com/games/20130110/MIAPOR/gameinfo.html |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}} However, despite the Blazers remaining among the playoff contenders for most of the season, injuries to starters Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Matthews, as well as a losing streak of 13 games – the longest in the franchise's history – led to the 11th position in the West, with a 33–49 record.{{Cite web |title=Portland Trailblazers: Season Review With Awards |url=http://www.thehoopstuff.com/portland-trailblazers-regular-season-review-and-awards/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921035653/http://www.thehoopstuff.com/portland-trailblazers-regular-season-review-and-awards/ |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=thehoopstuff.com}} Averaging 19.0 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.1 rebounds, Lillard was unanimously named Rookie of the Year, joining Ralph Sampson, David Robinson, and Blake Griffin as the only unanimous selections in NBA history.{{Cite web |title=Damian Lillard Named Kia NBA Rookie Of The Year |url=http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/itemId/3823/Default.aspx |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608191943/http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/itemId/3823/Default.aspx |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |access-date=May 1, 2013 |publisher=Portland Trail Blazers}}

File:C.J. McCollum 3 (cropped).jpg, drafted 10th overall in 2013, formed a formidable back-court duo with Lillard.]]

Going into the 2013 NBA draft, the Trail Blazers held four picks: the 10th pick in the first round and three second-round picks. The Blazers selected guard CJ McCollum out of Lehigh University with their 10th pick, and also selected center Jeff Withey from Kansas, power forward Grant Jerrett from Arizona, and Montenegrin big man Marko Todorović.{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers 2013 Draft Preview – NBA.com |url=http://www.nba.com/draft/2013/teams/por/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616110430/http://www.nba.com/draft/2013/teams/por/index.html |archive-date=June 16, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}} In addition, Cal guard Allen Crabbe was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for two second-round picks, in the 2015 and 2016 drafts.{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers Acquire CJ McCollum, Jeff Withey, Marko Todorovic And Draft Rights To Allen Crabbe In 2013 NBA Draft |url=http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/ArticleDisplay/tabid/297/ItemID/3860/Default.aspx |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203053337/http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/ArticleDisplay/tabid/297/ItemID/3860/Default.aspx |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=iamatrailblazersfan.com}}

The Blazers finished the 2014 season with 21 more wins than the previous season, which amounted for the largest single-season improvement in franchise history.{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers 2013–14 Season Notes |url=http://forwardcenter.net/trail-blazers-2013-14-season-notes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518075714/http://forwardcenter.net/trail-blazers-2013-14-season-notes/ |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=Forward Center}} This included a period in November when they won 11 straight games, and 13–2 in the month overall, for which coach Terry Stotts took home Coach of the Month honors.{{Cite news |title=Terry Stotts Named Western Conference Coach Of The Month For November |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/terry-stotts-named-western-conference-coach-month-november |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121715/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/terry-stotts-named-western-conference-coach-month-november |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=nba.com}} On December 12, 2013, Aldridge scored 31 points and pulled down 25 rebounds in a home game against the Rockets, the first time a Trail Blazers' player recorded a 30-point, 25-rebound game.{{Cite web |title=Rockets at Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20131212/HOUPOR/gameinfo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630054942/http://www.nba.com/games/20131212/HOUPOR/gameinfo.html |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}} On December 14, 2013, the Blazers made a franchise-record 21 three-pointers against the Philadelphia 76ers.{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers at 76ers |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20131214/PORPHI/gameinfo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121715/http://www.nba.com/games/20131214/PORPHI/gameinfo.html |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}} They tied the new record 19 days later against the Charlotte Bobcats, becoming the first NBA team to make 20 or more three-pointers in a game more than once in a season.{{Cite web |title=Bobcats at Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20140102/CHAPOR/gameinfo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121715/http://www.nba.com/games/20140102/CHAPOR/gameinfo.html |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}} Lillard was voted in as a reserve to his first All-Star game, joining Aldridge to represent Portland at the game.{{Cite web |last=Ben Golliver |title=Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, LaMarcus Aldridge headline 2014 All-Star Game reserves |url=http://nba.si.com/2014/01/30/nba-all-star-game-reserves-2014-new-orleans-dwight-howard-lamarcus-aldridge/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520061129/http://nba.si.com/2014/01/30/nba-all-star-game-reserves-2014-new-orleans-dwight-howard-lamarcus-aldridge/ |archive-date=May 20, 2014 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=SI.com}} Portland finished 54–28, securing the fifth seed in the playoffs against the Rockets. The team also shot 81.5% at the free throw line, made 770 three-pointers, and started four players for all 82 regular season games, all franchise records.

The first-round series against the Rockets was a tight one, with three of the six games going to overtime. The Blazers fared well in the first two games despite not having home-court advantage, beating Houston 122–120 and 112–105 in Games 1 and 2 respectively, fueled by Aldridge's 46 points and 18 rebounds in game 1, and 43 points and three blocks in game 2. In the sixth game of the series with the Rockets threatening to force a game 7 back in Houston, down by two points with 0.9 seconds left in the game, Damian Lillard hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to close out the series (the moment was later nicknamed "Rip City Revival", as Portland advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2000, where they lost to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in five games).{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2014 |title=Lillard's historic shot rings out in Portland |url=http://www.nba.com/2014/news/05/03/lillard-clutch-shot.ap/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102115527/http://www.nba.com/2014/news/05/03/lillard-clutch-shot.ap/index.html |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}

During the 2014 off-season, Olshey signed center Chris Kaman and two-time former Blazers' guard Steve Blake to bolster the bench. Expectations by sportswriters and analysts were high for the Trail Blazers going into the 2015 NBA season given their surprise success in 2013–14.{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2014 |title=ProBasketballTalk 2014–15 Preview: Portland Trail Blazers – ProBasketballTalk |url=http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/09/probasketballtalk-2014-15-preview-portland-trail-blazers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524174546/http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/09/probasketballtalk-2014-15-preview-portland-trail-blazers/ |archive-date=May 24, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015}}{{Cite web |date=October 17, 2014 |title=BDL's 2014–15 NBA Season Previews: Portland Trail Blazers |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/bdl-s-2014-15-nba-season-previews--portland-trail-blazers-084322989.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630205618/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/bdl-s-2014-15-nba-season-previews--portland-trail-blazers-084322989.html |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=Yahoo! Sports}}{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers 2014 Offseason Report Card – NBA.com |url=http://www.nba.com/reportcard/offseason/2014/blazers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728180101/http://www.nba.com/reportcard/offseason/2014/blazers |archive-date=July 28, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=NBA.com}} The Blazers beat the reigning Northwest Division Champion Oklahoma City Thunder, 106–89, in their season opener at home on October 29, 2014. Like the season before, the Trail Blazers dominated the month of November, at one point winning nine straight games from November 9 to 26 before being defeated by the Memphis Grizzlies. Injuries, which had not been significant the previous season, started to inflict themselves on various players. Starting center Lopez fractured his right hand in a game against the Spurs on December 15, 2014, and missed the next 23 games.{{Cite web |last=Rob Mahoney |date=December 16, 2014 |title=Blazers center Robin Lopez to miss time with fractured right hand |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2014/12/16/blazers-robin-lopez-out-fractured-hand |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630085507/http://www.si.com/nba/2014/12/16/blazers-robin-lopez-out-fractured-hand |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=SI.com}} Initially, the Blazers were much unfazed, winning 129–119 in triple overtime against the Spurs on December 19, a game that saw Lillard and Aldridge combine for 75 points on 29 field goals; Lillard netted a career-high 43 points. Four days later, Lillard hit a three-pointer to tie the game and force overtime against the Thunder en route to 40 points and a 115–111 victory. Three Blazers went to New Orleans for the All Star Weekend: Matthews for the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, Lillard as a reserve to the All-Star Game, and Aldridge as a starter to the All-Star game.

More injuries appeared around the start of the new year, which caused Aldridge, Batum, and Joel Freeland to miss various amounts of time, but none greater than Wesley Matthews' season-ending Achilles tendon tear on March 5, 2015. Called "the heart and soul" of the team by Aldridge,{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2015 |title=Wesley Matthews injury: Trail Blazers lose their heart and soul (video) |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/03/wesley_matthews_injury_trail_blazers_lose_their_he.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626102511/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/03/wesley_matthews_injury_trail_blazers_lose_their_he.html |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=OregonLive.com}} Matthews was in the midst of a career year when the injury occurred. In the first half of the season, the Blazers had a record of 30–11, allowed opponents to score an average of 97.0 points, and held them to 29.7% shooting on three-pointers; in the second half, the Blazers regressed to a 21–20 record, allowed 100.2 points, and let opponents shoot 37.9% from three. The Blazers clinched a return trip to the playoffs on March 30, 2015, defeating the Phoenix Suns, 109–86. Finishing the season 51–31, they clinched their first Northwest Division title since 1999 but fell to the Grizzlies in five games in the first round of the playoffs.

In the 2015 NBA draft, the Blazers selected Arizona forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and subsequently traded him to the Brooklyn Nets along with Steve Blake for center Mason Plumlee and the 42nd pick, Pat Connaughton.{{Cite web |last=Official release |date=June 26, 2015 |title=Blazers' get Plumlee and Nets grab Blake, as teams also swap picks |url=http://www.nba.com/2015/news/06/26/release-blazers-get-plumlee-and-nets-grab-blake-picks/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628194115/http://www.nba.com/2015/news/06/26/release-blazers-get-plumlee-and-nets-grab-blake-picks/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts |archive-date=June 28, 2015 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}

After losing four of their five starters at the end of the 2015–16 season, the Blazers won 44 games, were the 5th seed in the Western Conference, and beat the Clippers in six games in the first round, but were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in five games in the Conference Semifinals.

In May 2017, the team revealed their new logo, an update of the pinwheel design with a new wordmark. According to Chris McGowan, president and CEO of the Trail Blazers, "Together, we landed on subtle changes that provide a nod to our past while allowing us to modernize other aspects of our creative assets."{{Cite web |last=Oregonian |date=May 8, 2017 |title=Here is the new Portland Trail Blazers Logo |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2017/05/is_this_the_new_portland_trail_blazers_logo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509022324/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2017/05/is_this_the_new_portland_trail_blazers_logo.html |archive-date=May 9, 2017 |access-date=May 8, 2017 |website=www.oregonlife.com}}

The 2017–18 season saw the Blazers finish with the third seed for the first time since the 1999–2000 season. On April 21, 2018, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the New Orleans Pelicans in a 4–0 sweep.

In the 2018–19 season, the Blazers finished the regular season 53–29, giving them the third seed in the Western Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, the Trail Blazers defeated the favored Oklahoma City Thunder in five games, a series which included Damian Lillard's game winning, buzzer beating, 37-foot three-pointer in game 5, giving them their first playoff series win since 2016.{{Cite web |last=Holdahl |first=Casey |date=April 24, 2019 |title=Lillard Ends Another Series With A Buzzer-Beater, This Time Versus Oklahoma City |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/lillard-ends-another-series-buzzer-beater-time-versus-oklahoma-city |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501082645/https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/lillard-ends-another-series-buzzer-beater-time-versus-oklahoma-city |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |access-date=May 1, 2019 |website=Portland Trail Blazers |quote=It is the 12th time in franchise history and the first time since 2016 that the Blazers have advanced to the conference semis.}}{{Cite web |last=Tokito |first=Mike |date=April 14, 2019 |title=Trail Blazers End Playoff Losing Streak With A Brilliant Quarter And Some Late Grit |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/miketokito/2019/04/14/trail-blazers-end-playoff-losing-streak-with-1-brilliant-quarter-and-some-late-grit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501082624/https://www.forbes.com/sites/miketokito/2019/04/14/trail-blazers-end-playoff-losing-streak-with-1-brilliant-quarter-and-some-late-grit/ |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |access-date=May 1, 2019 |website=Forbes |quote=The win ended Portland's 10-game playoff losing streak that dated back to May 7, 2016.}} In the second round of the playoffs, they faced the Denver Nuggets. The series included a 140–137 game 3 victory by the Blazers in the first quadruple-overtime game of the NBA playoffs since 1953.{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2019 |title=Portland Trail Blazers outlast Denver Nuggets 140–137 in historic quadruple overtime Game 3 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/portland-trail-blazers-outlast-denver-nuggets-140-137-in-historic-quadruple-overtime-game-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529204806/https://www.foxnews.com/sports/portland-trail-blazers-outlast-denver-nuggets-140-137-in-historic-quadruple-overtime-game-3 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |website=FOX News}} The Blazers eventually won the series in seven games and advanced to their first Conference Finals since 2000.{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2019 |title=NBA playoffs: Trail Blazers edge Nuggets to advance to conference finals |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-trail-blazers-nuggets-nba-playoffs-20190512-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529114521/https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-trail-blazers-nuggets-nba-playoffs-20190512-story.html |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |website=Los Angeles Times}} In the Western Conference Finals, they faced the two-time defending champion, the Golden State Warriors. However, they lost the series in four games, and were swept.{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Warriors complete sweep of Trail Blazers, advance to fifth straight Finals |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/warriors-complete-sweep-trail-blazers-advance-fifth-straight-finals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528081542/https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/warriors-complete-sweep-trail-blazers-advance-fifth-straight-finals/ |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |website=www.sportsnet.ca}}

Following the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season, the Blazers were one of the 22 teams invited to the NBA Bubble to participate in the final 8 games of the regular season.{{Cite web |title=NBA Board of Governors approves competitive format to restart 2019–20 season with 22 teams returning to play |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/06/04/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612050333/https://www.nba.com/article/2020/06/04/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=July 25, 2020 |website=NBA.com}} They erupted to number 8 but, after winning a "play-in game" over Memphis, were eliminated by Lakers in five games in the first round. The NBA decided that, at the end of the regular season part of "The Bubble" in Orlando, if the ninth seed was within four games of the eighth seed, the two teams would play at least one game. If the eighth seed won (as the Blazers did), then the play-in was over. If the ninth seed won, then another "winner-take-all" game would be played for the eighth seed. The NBA adopted a version of the play-in, a "tournament", for the postseason following the 2020–2021 season, which the Blazers avoided by finishing sixth. That play-in tournament returned for the postseason after the 2021–2022 season.{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Live Score and Stats – August 18, 2020 Gametracker |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/live/NBA_20200818_POR@LAL/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030001412/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/live/NBA_20200818_POR@LAL/ |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020}}

On June 4, 2021, following a first-round loss in the 2021 NBA playoffs to the Denver Nuggets, the team and head coach Stotts mutually agreed to part ways. After moving on from coach Stotts, the team hired Chauncey Billups as the franchise's next head coach.

File:Billups coach (cropped).jpg

On February 8, 2022, in the midst of a losing season filled with injuries, the Blazers elected to trade CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans.{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2021 |title=Trail Blazers And Terry Stotts Mutually Agree To Part Ways |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/trail-blazers-and-terry-stotts-mutually-agree-part-ways |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626032029/https://www.nba.com/blazers/trail-blazers-and-terry-stotts-mutually-agree-part-ways |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |access-date=June 5, 2021 |website=NBA.com}} Without McCollum in the lineup, there was an opportunity for Anfernee Simons to lead the Blazers offense. Simons play for the remainder of the season, earned him a multi-year extension.

On June 22, 2022, the Blazers received Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant in exchange for 2023 and 2025 draft picks.{{Cite web |last=Wojnarowski |first=Adrian |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Portland Trail Blazers acquiring forward Jerami Grant from Detroit Pistons for a protected 2025 1st-round pick, sources say |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34132481/detroit-pistons-trading-forward-jerami-grant-portland-trail-blazers-2025-1st-round-pick-sources-say |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622232523/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34132481/detroit-pistons-trading-forward-jerami-grant-portland-trail-blazers-2025-1st-round-pick-sources-say |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=ESPN}}

On June 23, 2022, in the 2022 NBA draft, the Blazers selected guard Shaedon Sharpe out of the University of Kentucky and forward Jabari Walker from the University of Colorado with the 7th and 57th picks, respectively. In the 2022–23 regular season, the Blazers started well, and at one point were the top seed in the West, but then bit by bit slipped out of playoff contention. Lillard promptly requested a trade on July 1, and Portland began exploring options, though taking their time. General manager Joe Cronin was quoted as saying, "If it takes months, it takes months."

In the 2023 NBA draft, the Blazers selected guard Scoot Henderson with the third overall pick. Henderson was a standout from the NBA G league team, the NBA G League Ignite.

On September 27, 2023, the Blazers acquired All-Star guard Jrue Holiday, 2018 Draft first pick Deandre Ayton, and Toumani Camara as part of a trade that sent Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and Grayson Allen, Jusuf Nurkić, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson to the Phoenix Suns. Additionally, the Blazers acquired a 2029 first-round draft pick, with the option to swap with the Bucks for the 2028 and 2030 first-round picks.{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2023 |title=Milwaukee Bucks Acquire Seven-Time All-Star, Seven-Time All-NBA Selection And NBA 75th Anniversary Team Member Damian Lillard |url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-acquire-seven-time-all-star-seven-time-all-nba-selection-and-nba-75th-anniversary-team-member-damian-lillard |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=NBA.com |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009152819/https://www.nba.com/bucks/news/milwaukee-bucks-acquire-seven-time-all-star-seven-time-all-nba-selection-and-nba-75th-anniversary-team-member-damian-lillard |url-status=live }} Four days later, Holiday was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, and two future first-round draft picks. Jerami Grant was also resigned to a 5-year, $160 Million contract.{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers Re-Sign Jerami Grant |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-re-sign-jerami-grant |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}} The Blazers had a poor year, missing the playoffs with a 21–61 record.{{Cite web |last=Bernecich |first=Adrian |date=2024-07-13 |title=A Healthy Blazers Squad Still Misses The Play-In |url=https://www.blazersedge.com/2024/7/13/24196913/portland-trail-blazers-nba-playoffs-lottery-sharpe-scoot-ayton-simons-camara-avdija-grant-play-in |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=Blazer's Edge |language=en}}

With the seventh selection of the 2024 NBA draft,{{Cite web |title=2024 NBA Draft: Official Draft Board, Prospect Profiles and more |url=https://www.nba.com/draft/2024 |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=NBA.com |language=en}} the Blazers selected Donovan Clingan, a center from UConn. The same day, they acquired Deni Avdija from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Brogdon, the 14th overall pick, a 2029 first-round pick, and 2028 and 2030 second-rounders.{{Cite web |title=Wizards agree to trade Deni Avdija to Blazers for Malcolm Brogdon, No. 14 pick |url=https://www.nba.com/news/wizards-blazers-trade-avdija-brogdon |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}

List of the last five seasons completed by the Trail Blazers. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Portland Trail Blazers seasons.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

{{See also|Portland Trail Blazers all-time roster}}

{{Portland Trail Blazers roster}}

The Trail Blazers hold the draft rights to the following unsigned draft picks who have been playing outside the NBA. A drafted player, either an international draftee or a college draftee who is not signed by the team that drafted him, is allowed to sign with any non-NBA teams. In this case, the team retains the player's draft rights in the NBA until one year after the player's contract with the non-NBA team ends.{{Cite web |last=Coon |first=Larry |author-link=Larry Coon |title=NBA Salary Cap FAQ – 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement |url=http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527075033/http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2014 |quote=If the player is already under contract to, or signs a contract with a non-NBA team, the team retains the player's draft rights for one year after the player's obligation to the non-NBA team ends. Essentially, the clock stops as long as the player plays pro ball outside the NBA.}} This list includes draft rights that were acquired from trades with other teams.

File:Bill Walton – Trail Blazers (1).jpg]]

Notes:{{Cite web |title=2017–18 Portland Trail Blazers media guide |url=http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/media/2.0/teamsites/blazers/pdf/2017-18_MediaGuide.pdf#page=141 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109063835/http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/media/2.0/teamsites/blazers/pdf/2017-18_MediaGuide.pdf#page=141 |archive-date=January 9, 2018 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=NBA.com}}

• ¹ As team owner and founder, the number is still available to players.{{cite web | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/numbers.html | title=Portland Trail Blazers Uniform Numbers }}
• ² Ramsay did not play for the team; the number represents the 1977 NBA Championship he won while coaching the Blazers.
• The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all its member teams on August 11, 2022.{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2022 |title=Bill Russell's No. 6 jersey to be retired throughout NBA |url=https://www.nba.com/news/bill-russells-no-6-jersey-to-be-retired-throughout-nba |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817080803/https://www.nba.com/news/bill-russells-no-6-jersey-to-be-retired-throughout-nba |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |access-date=August 24, 2022 |website=NBA.com}}{{Cite news |last=Golliver |first=Ben |date=August 11, 2022 |title=NBA permanently retires Bill Russell's No. 6 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/11/bill-russell-nba-jersey-retirement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107143239/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/08/11/bill-russell-nba-jersey-retirement/ |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |access-date=August 24, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

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| image1 = Lipofsky-JDražen Petrović.jpg

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| caption1 = Dražen Petrović, who was drafted by the Trail Blazers, was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the FIBA Hall of Fame.

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| caption2 = Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Scottie Pippen played in Portland from 1999 to 2003.

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Notes:

• ¹ In total, Wilkens was inducted into the Hall of Fame three times: as player, as coach and as a member of the 1992 Olympic team.
• ² Inducted posthumously.
• ³ In total, Drexler was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice: as player and as a member of the 1992 Olympic team.
• ⁴ In total, Pippen was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice: as player and as a member of the 1992 Olympic team.
• ⁵ Also played for the team (1970–1973).

Notes:

• ¹ Inducted posthumously.

{{Main|Portland Trail Blazers accomplishments and records}}

The Trail Blazers have had the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft four times in their history; each time selecting a center. In 1972 the choice was LaRue Martin, Bill Walton was picked in 1974, Mychal Thompson in 1978, and Greg Oden was taken in 2007. Several Blazers' picks have been criticized by NBA commentators as particularly unfortunate:{{Cite web |last=Schoenfield |first=Dave |date=April 27, 2006 |title=The 100 worst draft picks ever |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=schoenfield/060427 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903093934/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=schoenfield/060427 |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |access-date=November 5, 2007 |website=ESPN.com Page 2 |publisher=ESPN}}

• The selection of Martin over Bob McAdoo.
• The selection of center Sam Bowie with the No. 2 pick in the 1984 NBA draft over Michael Jordan (who was then picked next by the Chicago Bulls); other notable players taken later in that draft include future Hall-of-Famers Charles Barkley and John Stockton.
• The selection of Greg Oden over Kevin Durant in 2007.
• Other notable draft picks include player-coach Geoff Petrie, Sidney Wicks, Larry Steele, Lionel Hollins and Jim Paxson in the 1970s and Clyde Drexler, Jerome Kersey, Terry Porter and Arvydas Sabonis in the 1980s.

In the 1990s, the Blazers selected Jermaine O'Neal and in the modern millennium drafted Zach Randolph and, in 2006, acquired Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge in a draft day that included six trades involving the Trail Blazers.

{{Main|List of Portland Trail Blazers head coaches}}

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The team's colors are red, black, and white. The team's "pinwheel" logo, originally designed by the cousin of founder Harry Glickman, is a graphic interpretation of two five-on-five basketball teams lined up against each other. One side of the pinwheel is red; the other side is black or white.{{Cite news |last=Holdahl |first=Casey |date=May 8, 2017 |title=Trail Blazers Update Pinwheel, Prepare For Jersey Changes |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/trail-blazers-update-pinwheel-prepare-jersey-changes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511154222/http://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/trail-blazers-update-pinwheel-prepare-jersey-changes |archive-date=May 11, 2017 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |work=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}} The logo has gone from a vertical alignment to a slanted one starting in the 1991 season, creating a straight edge along the top{{Cite web |title=Portland Trail Blazers Logos |url=http://www.sportslogos.net/team.php?id=239 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521020720/http://sportslogos.net/team.php?id=239 |archive-date=May 21, 2012 |access-date=June 23, 2012 |website=sportslogos.net}}

The Blazers' initial uniforms were white at home and red on the road. The 1970–1975 design featured a swooping tail accenting the last letter ('blazers' on the home uniforms; 'Portland' on the road uniforms). The 1975–1977 uniforms featured the team name written vertically on the right side; this uniform was used in their 1977 championship season.{{Cite web |title=What's the best Portland Trail Blazers uniform? A look back at the jerseys by era |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/04/trail_blazers_jersey_by_era.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511184930/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/04/trail_blazers_jersey_by_era.html |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=OregonLive.com}}{{Cite web |title=Going Retro: Portland Trail Blazers |url=http://www.nba.com/history/uniforms_trailblazers.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620222212/http://www.nba.com/history/uniforms_trailblazers.html |archive-date=June 20, 2016 |access-date=June 3, 2016 |publisher=National Basketball Association}}

Following their championship victory, the Blazers unveiled a new look featuring a "blaze" strip that runs diagonally down the uniform. The team also switched their road uniforms to black. The 1977–1991 set featured lowercase lettering, while a red uniform was used in lieu of the black uniforms from 1979 to 1985. Following a redesign in the 1991–92 season, the Blazers updated their look to feature uppercase letters. A 2002–03 rebrand saw the team add silver accents and introduce a red alternate uniform, while a slight change in the 2005–06 season saw the Blazers return to the city name on their road uniforms.

The 2009–10 season saw the Blazers unveil a fourth alternate uniform, a design that features the team's 'Rip City' nickname and a more subtle version of the "blaze" on the side. This uniform was tweaked to include sleeves in the 2014–15 season. For the 2012–13 season, the Blazers changed their red alternate uniform to include black lettering, a more modernized "blaze" strip, and the pinwheel logo atop of it.

For the 2017–18 season, the Blazers made some slight revisions to their look upon moving to Nike, changing the alignment of the city and team name from italicized to straight while adding the 'Rip City' nickname on the waistband.{{Cite news |last=Holdahl |first=Casey |date=July 28, 2017 |title=TRAIL BLAZERS UNVEIL NEW "ASSOCIATION" AND "ICON" NIKE JERSEYS |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/trail-blazers-unveil-new-association-and-icon-nike-jerseys-next-season/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001184226/https://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/trail-blazers-unveil-new-association-and-icon-nike-jerseys-next-season |archive-date=October 1, 2018 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |work=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}} They also changed their red alternate uniform to include a black and grey variation of the "blaze" strip inspired from the team's pinwheel logo and a lack of white elements.{{Cite news |last=Holdahl |first=Casey |date=September 15, 2017 |title=NIKE DEBUTS PORTLAND'S NEW 'STATEMENT' UNIFORM |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/nike-debuts-new-red-statement-uniform/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001184229/https://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/nike-debuts-new-red-statement-uniform |archive-date=October 1, 2018 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |work=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}} In the 2019–20 season, the red "Statement" uniform was updated to feature white letters, white numbers with black trim and a thin white strip above the series of black and grey strips. This was due to visibility concerns surrounding the previous red uniform.{{Citation |title=Portland Trail Blazers Nike uniforms |work=TrailBlazers.com |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/uniforms |access-date=October 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011104029/https://www.nba.com/blazers/uniforms |archive-date=October 11, 2019 |url-status=live |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}} Then in the 2022–23 season, in collaboration with Damian Lillard, the Trail Blazers updated their "Statement" uniform, only featuring the iconic "pinwheel" logo in black along with black/red side striping inspired by the aforementioned logo.{{Cite news |date=October 2, 2022 |title=Blazers unveil new Statement Edition uniform for 2022–23 |url=https://www.nba.com/news/blazers-unveil-new-statement-edition-uniform-for-2022-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001220441/https://www.nba.com/news/blazers-unveil-new-statement-edition-uniform-for-2022-23 |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |access-date=October 2, 2022 |work=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}}

In addition to the "Association", "Icon" and "Statement" uniforms, Nike released annual "City" uniform designs. The Blazers' 2017–18 "City" uniforms were predominantly black with a grayscale plaid pattern (in homage to former head coach Jack Ramsay), 'Rip City' and lettering in red, and a silhouette of the Portland city flag on the beltline.{{Cite news |last=Holdahl |first=Casey |date=December 26, 2017 |title=PLAID, PORTLAND FLAG FEATURED IN NEW 'CITY EDITION' UNIFORM |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/plaid-portland-flag-featured-new-city-edition-uniform |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824183706/https://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/plaid-portland-flag-featured-new-city-edition-uniform |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |work=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}} The 2018–19 season "City" uniforms again used the 'Rip City' concept, this time with a more subdued red "blaze" strip and black and dark grey background. In addition, the Blazers wore an "Earned" uniform by virtue of qualifying in the 2018 playoffs. The uniforms were similar to the 'Rip City' jerseys but with a red base and white letters with black trim. The "Earned" jersey was only used for that season before it was shelved permanently. The 2019–20 "City" uniform was heavily inspired by the team's original white uniforms, featuring 'Rip City' and block numerals in red with black trim, along with player names in black. In the 2020–21 season, the Blazers' "City" uniform will pay homage to the Oregon landscape and its native tribes. The uniform features a brown base with black lines similar to a wood grain, a series of zig-zag lines in shades of red, blue, yellow and orange along the right side, and the "Oregon" insignia found on the White Stag sign. The waist also includes the Oregon outline and nine blue triangles symbolizing the state's native tribes. As in 2019, the Blazers also wore an "Earned" uniform after qualifying in the 2020 playoffs. The uniforms were patterned after the team's "Association" uniform but lacked the red elements and had a silver base. For the NBA's 2021–22 75th anniversary season, the Blazers' "City" uniform was a mixture of past uniform elements. Once again going to the 'Rip City' concept, this uniform featured the same number font as the 1991–2002 uniforms, the red and gray plaid striping in homage to Jack Ramsay, the "Portland" script from the team's first uniforms on the waist, tributes to Portland's 'City of Roses' moniker and the team's 1977 championship and 1990 and 1992 conference titles, and a white circle surrounding the current logo in homage to the center court of Veterans Memorial Coliseum.{{Cite press release |title=Trail Blazers Unveil Nike 2021–22 NBA City Edition Uniform & Moments Mixtape Nights to Celebrate the Franchise's Most Iconic Teams |date=November 1, 2021 |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/trail-blazers-unveil-nike-2021-22-nba-city-edition-uniform-moments-mixtape-nights-celebrate |access-date=November 3, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103033222/https://www.nba.com/blazers/trail-blazers-unveil-nike-2021-22-nba-city-edition-uniform-moments-mixtape-nights-celebrate |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |website=TrailBlazers.com}}

For the Trail Blazers' 2022–23 "City" uniform, the team went with a black uniform with teal and silver accents, replacing the trademark diagonal strip with a pattern inspired by the carpet found on the Portland International Airport. "PDX" in silver letters was positioned above the uniform.{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2022 |title=Portland Trail Blazers 22/23 City Edition Uniform: Uniquely Portland |url=https://www.nba.com/news/portland-trailblazers-city-edition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115051721/https://www.nba.com/news/portland-trailblazers-city-edition |archive-date=November 15, 2022 |access-date=November 15, 2022 |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}}

The Trail Blazers again honored Dr. Jack Ramsay for their 2023–24 "City" uniform, featuring a black base, black grayscale plaid patterns, and red plaid letters. The "Rip City" throwback lettering was brought back with this uniform, along with cream numbers trimmed in red.{{Cite news |title=Portland Trail Blazers 2023–24 City Edition Uniform: Dr. Jack Plaid |url=https://www.nba.com/news/portland-trail-blazers-2023-24-city-edition-uniform-dr-jack-plaid |access-date=November 2, 2023 |work=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC |archive-date=November 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102141206/https://www.nba.com/news/portland-trail-blazers-2023-24-city-edition-uniform-dr-jack-plaid |url-status=live }} A red-based 2023 NBA in-season tournament court with a middle cream strip was paired with this uniform, with silhouettes of the NBA Cup.{{Cite news |title=NBA debuts In-Season Tournament courts for all 30 teams |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-debuts-in-season-tournament-courts-for-all-30-teams |access-date=November 2, 2023 |work=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030173237/https://www.nba.com/news/nba-debuts-in-season-tournament-courts-for-all-30-teams |url-status=live }} This theme would continue on the team's 2024–25 "City" uniform, this time as homage to Portland's iconic plaid heritage and a salute to Mount Hood on the shorts. The black-based design again featured "Rip City" in white with grayscale plaid patterns.{{Cite news |title=Portland Trail Blazers 2024-25 City Edition Uniform: Keeping Portland plaid|url=https://www.nba.com/news/portland-trail-blazers-2024-25-city-edition-uniform|access-date=November 14, 2024|work=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}}

The team's mascot is Blaze the Trail Cat, a two-tone silver-colored mountain lion, which has been the team's official mascot since 2002.{{Cite web |title=Blaze the Trail Cat |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/blaze |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701034732/https://www.nba.com/blazers/blaze |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=July 1, 2019 |website=TrailBlazers.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC}}

From 1987 to 1989, Portland's official mascot was Bigfoot, which was former Trail Blazers player Dale Schlueter in a sasquatch costume that was {{convert|9|ft|m}} tall.{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Elizabeth |date=June 8, 1988 |title=10,000 children expected to march in junior parade |url=https://0-infoweb-newsbank-com.millennium.oceanbooks.org/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&t=favorite%3AOBPPOWEA%21The%20Oregonian%20Collection%20/decade%3A1980%211980%2B-%2B1989&sort=YMD_date%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=Blazers%20Bigfoot&docref=news/0EB085000E5A6B26 |access-date=February 12, 2021 |work=The Oregonian |location=Portland, Oregon |page=C03}}{{Cite news |last=Jaynes |first=Dwight |date=December 6, 1987 |title=The fact is, Blazers face some questions |url=https://0-infoweb-newsbank-com.millennium.oceanbooks.org/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&t=favorite%3AOBPPOWEA%21The%20Oregonian%20Collection%20/decade%3A1980%211980%2B-%2B1989&sort=YMD_date%3AA&maxresults=20&f=advanced&val-base-0=Blazers%20&fld-base-0=alltext&bln-base-1=and&val-base-1=1985-1992&fld-base-1=YMD_date&bln-base-2=and&val-base-2=Bigfoot&fld-base-2=alltext&bln-base-3=or&val-base-3=%22Big%20foot%22&fld-base-3=alltext&bln-base-4=or&val-base-4=Sasquatch&fld-base-4=alltext&docref=news/0EB084BECCAD52D9 |access-date=February 12, 2021 |work=The Oregonian |location=Portland, Oregon |page=F13}} The concept was pitched to the Trail Blazers front office by Jay Isaac of Isaac-Ross Productions.{{Cite news |last=Nicholas |first=Jonathan |date=May 11, 1989 |title=Dunk funk Slam Jam time in Rip City |url=https://0-infoweb-newsbank-com.millennium.oceanbooks.org/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&t=favorite%3AOBPPOWEA%21The%20Oregonian%20Collection%20/decade%3A1980%211980%2B-%2B1989&sort=YMD_date%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=Blazers%20mascot&docref=news/0EB085840B61131E |access-date=February 12, 2021 |work=The Oregonian |location=Portland, Oregon |page=D01}} On March 22, 1989, following a 151–127 victory over Portland, Golden State Warriors head coach Don Nelson protested to the media about a skit during a timeout, in which Bigfoot crushed a model of the Golden Gate Bridge while the song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" played over the public address system.{{Cite news |last=Jaynes |first=Dwight |date=March 23, 1989 |title=Nelson's explosion 'amazes' Trail Blazer official Spoelstra |url=https://0-infoweb-newsbank-com.millennium.oceanbooks.org/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&t=favorite%3AOBPPOWEA%21The%20Oregonian%20Collection%20/decade%3A1980%211980%2B-%2B1989&sort=YMD_date%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=Blazers%20mascot&docref=news/0EB08570B93EC51E |access-date=February 12, 2021 |work=The Oregonian |location=Portland, Oregon |page=D10}}{{Cite news |last=Jaynes |first=Dwight |date=March 22, 1989 |title=Warriors rip Blazers, get their revenge |url=https://0-infoweb-newsbank-com.millennium.oceanbooks.org/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&t=favorite%3AOBPPOWEA%21The%20Oregonian%20Collection%20/decade%3A1980%211980%2B-%2B1989&sort=YMD_date%3AD&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=Blazers%20mascot&docref=news/0EB0856F2120595B |access-date=February 12, 2021 |work=The Oregonian |location=Portland, Oregon |page=E01}} Bigfoot was discontinued as Portland's mascot following the incident. A new Bigfoot character nicknamed Douglas Fur was introduced in March 2023 to serve as a secondary mascot alongside Blaze the Trail Cat.{{Cite web |last=Cuthill |first=Meagan |date=March 15, 2023 |title=A Bigfoot with a beanie is the Portland Trail Blazers' 2nd mascot |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/15/portland-trail-blazers-new-mascot-bigfoot-douglas-fur/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315172845/https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/15/portland-trail-blazers-new-mascot-bigfoot-douglas-fur/ |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=Oregon Public Broadcasting}}{{Cite web |last=Holdahl |first=Casey |date=March 14, 2023 |title=Portland Trail Blazers and Blaze the Trail Cat Reveal New Mascot – Douglas Fur |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/portland-trail-blazers-and-blaze-the-trail-cat-reveal-new-mascot-douglas-fur |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315055243/https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/portland-trail-blazers-and-blaze-the-trail-cat-reveal-new-mascot-douglas-fur |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |access-date=March 20, 2023 |website=NBA.com |publisher=NBA Media Ventures LLC}} A popular unofficial mascot was the late Bill "The Beerman" Scott, a Seattle beer vendor-cheerleader who worked for numerous pro teams, including the Trail Blazers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Seattle Mariners. Scott worked for the Trail Blazers from 1981 through 1985.{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Jim |date=February 24, 2005 |title=Ailing 'Bill the Beerman' says he hasn't made his last call |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/moore/213379_moore24.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321042410/https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/moore/article/Ailing-Bill-the-Beerman-says-he-hasn-t-made-his-1167153.php |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}

File:Paul Allen speaks at the Allen Institute for Brain Science 10th Anniversary gala.jpg co-founder and Vulcan Inc. chairman Paul Allen owned the Trail Blazers from 1988 until his death in 2018.]]

{{Main|List of Portland Trail Blazers executives}}

The team from 1988 until 2018 was owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen; ownership of the Trail Blazers is currently via a series of holding companies which Allen owned. Vulcan Inc. is a private corporation in which currently Allen's sister Jody Allen as head of Paul Allen's estate is the chairman and sole shareholder. A subsidiary of Vulcan, Vulcan Sports and Entertainment (VSE), manages Allen's sports-related properties, including the Trail Blazers, the Seattle Seahawks NFL team, Seattle Sounders FC of MLS, and the Moda Center. In the fall of 2012, Peter McLoughlin was named CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment.

The Trail Blazers as a corporate entity are owned by VSE. Jody Allen as head of estate serves as the team's chairman, and her longtime associate Bert Kolde is vice-chairman. The position of president and chief executive officer is held by Chris McGowan,{{Cite web |title=Front Office |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/contact/front_office.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622064328/http://www.nba.com/blazers/contact/front_office.html |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |access-date=July 12, 2013 |website=NBA.com}} with Larry Miller having held the job until resigning in July 2012.{{Cite web |date=July 7, 2012 |title=Blazers prez Larry Miller resigns |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/8138679/portland-trail-blazers-president-larry-miller-resigns-5-years |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708081804/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8138679/portland-trail-blazers-president-larry-miller-resigns-5-years |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |access-date=July 7, 2012 |website=NBA |publisher=ESPN.com |agency=ESPN.com news services}} The post of chief operating officer is vacant; the most recent COO of the team was Mike Golub, who resigned in July 2008 to take a more enhanced role with VSE.{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers New Hires and Promotions |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_New_Hires_and_Pr-191813-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116122942/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_New_Hires_and_Pr-191813-1218.html |archive-date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers website |publisher=Portland Trail Blazers}}{{Cite news |date=July 15, 2008 |title=Golub resigns from Trail Blazers |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=txtrailblazersgolub&prov=st&type=lgns |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714013245/http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=txtrailblazersgolub&prov=st&type=lgns |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2008 |work=Yahoo! Sports}} Kevin Pritchard served as general manager of the Trail Blazers until he was fired on June 24, 2010. The announcement was issued by the Blazers' head office just an hour before the beginning of the 2010 NBA draft.{{Cite news |last=Quick |first=Jason |date=June 24, 2010 |title=Kevin Pritchard fired as Trail Blazers general manager |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/06/kevin_pritchard_fired_as_trail.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626055748/http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/06/kevin_pritchard_fired_as_trail.html |archive-date=June 26, 2010 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=The Oregonian (OregonLive.com)}}{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers name Larry Miller president |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_Name_Larry_Mille-229303-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008224031/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_Name_Larry_Mille-229303-1218.html |archive-date=October 8, 2007 |access-date=November 5, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers Official Website |publisher=National Basketball Association}} A month later, the Blazers named Oklahoma City Thunder assistant general manager Rich Cho as their new general manager.{{Cite press release |title=Trail Blazers name Cho General Manager |date=July 19, 2010 |publisher=Portland Trail Blazers |url=http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/itemId/1607/Default.aspx |access-date=July 19, 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722043358/http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/itemId/1607/Default.aspx |archive-date=July 22, 2010}} Cho was fired less than a year later, and director of college scouting Chad Buchanan served as interim general manager for the entire 2011–12 season. In June 2012, the Trail Blazers hired Neil Olshey as general manager.{{Cite press release |title=Neil Olshey Named Trail Blazers General Manager |date=June 5, 2012 |publisher=Portland Trail Blazers |url=http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/itemId/3131/Default.aspx |access-date=June 5, 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606010412/http://www.iamatrailblazersfan.com/PressReleaseDisplay/tabid/297/itemId/3131/Default.aspx |archive-date=June 6, 2012}}

Before Allen purchased the team in 1988, the Trail Blazers were owned by a group of investors headed by Larry Weinberg, who is chairman emeritus.

{{Main|Moda Center}}

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The Trail Blazers play their home games in the Moda Center, a multipurpose arena which is located in Portland's Rose Quarter, northeast of downtown. The Moda Center, originally named the Rose Garden, opened in 1995 and can seat a total of 19,980 spectators for basketball games; capacity increases to 20,580 with standing room.{{Cite web |title=Rose Quarter Venue Facts |url=http://www.rosequarter.com/RoseQuarter/FunFacts/tabid/88/Default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011042201/http://rosequarter.com/RoseQuarter/FunFacts/tabid/88/default.aspx |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=October 23, 2007 |publisher=Rose Quarter}} Like the Trail Blazers, the Moda Center is owned by Paul Allen through subsidiary Vulcan Sports and Entertainment.{{Cite news |last=Jung |first=Helen |date=July 12, 2007 |title=Blazers overseer ponders new cohort |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1184212523272680.xml&coll=7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026115122/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fbusiness%2F1184212523272680.xml&coll=7 |archive-date=October 26, 2007 |access-date=October 25, 2007 |work=The Oregonian}} During a two-year period between 2005 and 2007, the arena was owned by a consortium of creditors who financed its construction after the Oregon Arena Corporation, a now-defunct holding company owned by Allen, filed for bankruptcy in 2004.{{Cite news |date=January 24, 2005 |title=Global Spectrum names Rose Garden Manager |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2005/01/24/daily5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202120750/http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2005/01/24/daily5.html |archive-date=December 2, 2007 |access-date=October 23, 2007 |work=Portland Business Journal}} In August 2013, the arena's name was changed from the Rose Garden to the Moda Center, after the Blazers' front office officials reached a $4 million agreement with Moda Health Corporation. The name change was met with considerable criticism from fans.{{Cite web |last=Ben Golliver |date=August 13, 2013 |title=Blazers Officially Announce Rose Garden Name Change To "Moda Center" |url=http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/8/13/4618206/blazers-officially-announce-rose-garden-name-change-to-moda-center |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518083144/http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/8/13/4618206/blazers-officially-announce-rose-garden-name-change-to-moda-center |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=May 10, 2015 |website=Blazer's Edge}}

Prior to 1995, the Trail Blazers' home venue was the Memorial Coliseum, which today stands adjacent to the Moda Center. This facility, built in 1960, can seat 12,888 spectators for basketball (originally 12,666).{{Cite web |title=History Main | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/history_main.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100319124804/http://www.nba.com/blazers/history/history_main.html |archive-date=March 19, 2010 |access-date=August 10, 2016 |website=www.nba.com |quote=Capacity was 12,666 through 1988, when it was expanded to 12,854 and then eventually 12,888.}} It was renamed the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in 2011.

The team has a cheerleading-dance squad known as the BlazerDancers. Consisting of 16 members, the all-female BlazerDancers perform dance routines at home games, charity events, and promotional events. The 2008–2009 team held auditions in late July 2008. Seven new dancers, as well as nine returning dancers, made up the new team.{{Cite web |title=BlazerDancers Team Page |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/dance_team000420.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214093821/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/dance_team000420.html |archive-date=December 14, 2007 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers' official website |publisher=National Basketball Association}} A junior dance team composed of 8- to 11-year-old girls also performs at selected home games,{{Cite web |title=Junior BlazerDancers |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/junior_blazer_dancers.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324052701/http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/junior_blazer_dancers.html |archive-date=March 24, 2018 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers' official website |publisher=National Basketball Association}} as does a hip hop dance troupe.{{Cite web |title=Jam Squad |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/hip_hop_squad.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219234507/http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/hip_hop_squad.html |archive-date=December 19, 2007 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers' official website |publisher=National Basketball Association}} Other regular in-game entertainment acts include a co-educational acrobatic stunt team which performs technically difficult cheers,{{Cite web |title=Stunt team |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/stunt_team.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908095142/http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/stunt_team.html |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers' official website |publisher=National Basketball Association}} a break dancing squad known as the Portland TrailBreakers,{{Cite web |title=TrailBreakers |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/trail_breakers.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023180352/http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/trail_breakers.html |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers' official website |publisher=National Basketball Association}} and a pair of percussion acts.{{Cite web |title=Funk Plastic |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/funk_plastic.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219234457/http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/funk_plastic.html |archive-date=December 19, 2007 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers' official website |publisher=National Basketball Association}}{{Cite web |title=Groove Machine |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/groove_machine.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219234502/http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/groove_machine.html |archive-date=December 19, 2007 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers' official website |publisher=National Basketball Association}}

The relationship between the team and its fans, commonly known as "Blazermania", has been well-chronicled. The Trail Blazers have long been one of the NBA's top draws, with the exception of two periods in the team's history. The team drew poorly during its first four seasons of existence, failing to average more than 10,000 spectators per game. Attendance increased during the 1974–75 season, when the team drafted Bill Walton.{{Cite news |last=Jaynes |first=Dwight |date=June 12, 2007 |title=When we fell hard |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?page=redhotjaynes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911212848/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=redhotjaynes |archive-date=September 11, 2007 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |publisher=ESPN}}

The phenomenon known as Blazermania started during the 1976–77 season, when the team posted its first winning record, made its first playoff appearance, and captured its only NBA title, defeating the heavily favored Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Finals; the team has been popular in Portland since that time.{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Blazermania |encyclopedia=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff edition |publisher=National Basketball Association |url=http://www.nba.com/encyclopedia/blazermania.html |access-date=November 7, 2007 |last=Higdon |first=David |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009180835/http://www.nba.com/encyclopedia/blazermania.html |archive-date=October 9, 2007 |url-status=live}} That season, the team started a sellout streak which continued until the team moved into the Rose Garden in 1995. The team continued to average over 19,000 spectators per game until the 2003–04 season, when attendance declined after the team continued to suffer image problems due to the "Jail Blazer" reputation it had gained, and was no longer as competitive on the court.{{Cite magazine |last=Wertheim |first=L. Jon |date=December 24, 2001 |title=Losing their grip |url=http://images.cnnsi.com/si_online/news/2002/01/18/flash122401/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212032959/http://images.cnnsi.com/si_online/news/2002/01/18/flash122401/ |archive-date=December 12, 2007 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} After drafting eventual Rookie of the Year and three-time All Star Brandon Roy in 2006, attendance climbed in the 2006–07 season and continued to rebound in the 2007–08 season. The final 27 home games of the 2007–2008 season were consecutive sell-outs, a streak that continued through the entire 2008–2009 season and into the start of the 2011–2012 season.{{Cite web |last=Tokito |first=Mike |date=November 12, 2012 |title=Trail Blazers' home sellout streak ends at 195 games | OregonLive.com |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/11/blazers_home_sellout_streak_will_end_tonight_at_19.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831172550/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2012/11/blazers_home_sellout_streak_will_end_tonight_at_19.html |archive-date=August 31, 2017 |access-date=August 30, 2017 |website=OregonLive.com |quote=The streak started on Dec. 21, 2007, when the Blazers were in the midst of a 13-game winning streak – the second-longest winning streak in franchise history – and continued as the team made the playoffs three consecutive seasons starting in 2008–09. It kept going last season, even as the Blazers went through a poor campaign in which they went 28–38 and coach Nate McMillan was fired.}}

The team's rallying cry, "Rip City", was coined by broadcaster Bill Schonely during the team's first season and remains an integral part of the team's and fanbase's identity.{{Cite magazine |last=Gunderson |first=Joel |date=October 26, 2015 |title=Rip City: How the Portland Trail blazers got their calling card |url=https://www.si.com/the-cauldron/2015/10/26/how-nbas-portland-trail-blazers-became-known-rip-city |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816184347/https://www.si.com/the-cauldron/2015/10/26/how-nbas-portland-trail-blazers-became-known-rip-city |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}

In the 2023–24 season, the Blazers began testing "OneCourt Haptic Displays", a haptic device that allows fans with low vision or blindness to be able to "watch" live games.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tm8Vo9LnT0|title= New tech helps Portland Trail Blazers fans with low vision, blindness 'feel' the game |publisher=KGW News|via=YouTube|date=April 13, 2024|accessdate=February 9, 2025}} The device was made more accessible the following season. It uses generative audio and haptics to "translate live gameplay into trackable vibrations".{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/portland-trail-blazers-become-first-professional-sports-team-to-feature-onecourts-haptic-display-at-all-home-games-powered-by-ticketmaster?srsltid=AfmBOorJyyBxbIu8sZwp7GvVKFmVduENxLSERo3GOSALp5zKbdIziNQo|title=Portland Trail Blazers Become First Professional Sports Team to Feature OneCourt's Haptic Display at All Home Games, Powered by Ticketmaster|website=NBA.com|date=January 8, 2025|accessdate=February 9, 2025}}{{cite web|last=Joyce|first=Ethan|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Tech/2025/01/08/|title=SBJ Tech: Trail Blazers deploy OneCourt accessibility tech|work=Sports Business Journal|date=January 8, 2025|accessdate=February 9, 2025}}

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The Trail Blazers' former television play-by-play team was Mike Barrett and Mike Rice, joined by sideline reporter Michael Holton, who succeeded Terry Porter (2010–11){{Cite news |last=Tokito |first=Mike |date=October 11, 2010 |title=Blazers: Terry Porter wants back into coaching, but for now is excited about broadcasting role |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/10/blazers_terry_porter_wants_bac.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015012414/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2010/10/blazers_terry_porter_wants_bac.html |archive-date=October 15, 2010 |access-date=October 12, 2010 |work=The Oregonian}} and Rebecca Haarlow (2009–10). The team was also known for its long association with Steve "Snapper" Jones, who played for the team prior to his career as a television analyst; Jones departed the franchise in 2005.{{Cite news |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |date=July 8, 2005 |title=Future's a bit hazy for Blazer analyst Jones |url=http://www.portlandtribune.net/sports/story.php?story_id=30770 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724021411/http://www.portlandtribune.net/sports/story.php?story_id=30770 |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=Portland Tribune}}{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2016 |title=Trail Blazers to overhaul broadcast crew: Mike Barrett, Mike Rice, Antonio Harvey will not return |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2016/06/trail_blazers_27.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618074055/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2016/06/trail_blazers_27.html |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |access-date=June 19, 2016 |website=OregonLive}}

Regional television coverage of Trail Blazers games was limited until the 1980s, with only closed-circuit broadcasts at the Paramount Theatre available by the mid-70s.{{Cite news |last=McIntosh |first=Andrew |date=January 26, 2021 |title=NHL's Seattle Kraken signs multiyear TV broadcast rights deal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/01/26/nhls-seattle-kraken-signs-tv-broadcast-rights-deal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712214045/https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/01/26/nhls-seattle-kraken-signs-tv-broadcast-rights-deal.html |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |work=Puget Sound Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals}} In the 1980s, the team reached an agreement with KOIN to carry games on television; to protect the team's ticket sales, the package was largely limited to away games. The telecasts also had to be scheduled around CBS network programming that could not be pre-empted, such as 60 Minutes.

In the 1990s, the team split its home games between broadcast television (with KGW serving as flagship station by 2000){{Cite web |date=April 30, 2000 |title=BlazerVision makes sense for Blazers, but not fans |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2000/05/01/newscolumn4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010112051700/http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2000/05/01/newscolumn4.html |archive-date=January 12, 2001 |access-date=October 29, 2021 |website=Portland Business Journal}} and a pay-per-view service known as BlazerVision; the team did not disclose how many viewers subscribed to the service, while Portland Business Journal writer Andy Giegerich criticized the service when it was assigned early-round playoff games in the 1999–2000 season (thus resulting in blackouts of TNT's national coverage), and anecdotally noted that the Trail Blazers lost more often in games that were on BlazerVision or otherwise untelevised. The service was discontinued for the 2000–01 season, with the Trail Blazers replacing it with games syndicated to cable providers.

In the 2001–02 season, the team established its own regional sports network, Action Sports Cable Network (ASCN), which would carry the majority of Trail Blazers telecasts. AT&T Broadband refused to add the new channel due to the carriage fees it charged, which prevented it from reaching a wide audience. After having to resort to providing closed circuit feeds directly to bars, and sublicensing a package of games to the local PAX TV station, ASCN folded after one season. The team reached agreements with FSN Northwest (now Root Sports Northwest) and KGW to carry its regional broadcasts. It was alleged that the 2005 departure of Steve Jones from the commentary team was due in part to team displeasure with Jones' sometimes frank analysis of the team's on-court performance and off-court decisions.{{Cite news |last=Jaynes |first=Dwight |author-link=Dwight Jaynes |date=October 16, 2007 |title=Blazer analysts risking credibility |url=http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=119248882302461000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121716/http://thetribonline.com/sports/story.php?story_id=119248882302461000 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=Portland Tribune}}

In the 2007–08 season, the team moved to Comcast SportsNet Northwest (now NBC Sports Northwest); all but six regular season games were carried on CSN Northwest or the Blazers Television Network (a syndication package within the team's television market, whose flagship was KGW);{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers Announce 2007/08 Broadcast Schedule |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_200708_Season_B-237407-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220195954/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_200708_Season_B-237407-1218.html |archive-date=February 20, 2008 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers official site |publisher=NBA}} 34 games were produced and broadcast in high-definition. The team's television contract with CSN Northwest was criticized due to the channel's lack of carriage on satellite television providers DirecTV and Dish Network, both of which compete with Comcast's cable television operations.{{Cite web |last=Mike Tokito |date=January 27, 2015 |title=Present and past show challenges Trail Blazers have in solving TV dilemma: Media Mike Check |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/12/present_and_past_show_challeng.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818062808/http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/12/present_and_past_show_challeng.html |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016 |website=OregonLive}}{{Cite news |last=Canzano |first=John |author-link=John Canzano |date=November 7, 2007 |title=Comcast-Blazers TV deal leaves fans out of the picture |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf?/base/sports/119440596526170.xml&coll=7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111175203/http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fsports%2F119440596526170.xml&coll=7 |archive-date=November 11, 2007 |access-date=November 7, 2007 |work=The Oregonian}}{{Cite news |date=January 7, 2010 |title=Disappointed Blazers "pursuing all of our rights" in Comcast deal |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/01/blazers_say_they_are_pursuing.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828183627/http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/01/blazers_say_they_are_pursuing.html |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2016 |work=The Oregonian}}

On July 6, 2016, the team renewed its contract with CSN Northwest through the 2020–2021 season, giving the network exclusive rights to all Trail Blazers games beginning in the 2017–18 season (and thus ending the team's over-the-air syndication package). The team had originally considered an arrangement with KPTV, under which games would be broadcast over-the-air and simulcast via an Internet service, but deals with potential streaming partners fell through. Root Sports Northwest made a higher-value, long-term offer, but the offer was rejected because Root Sports could not guarantee whether its carriage deal with Comcast Cable, which serves 55% of the Portland market, would be renewed.{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2016 |title=Trail Blazers extend television deal with CSN Northwest through 2020–21 NBA season |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2016/07/trail_blazers_television_deal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707144316/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2016/07/trail_blazers_television_deal.html |archive-date=July 7, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2016 |website=The Oregonian}} On November 2, 2017, NBC Sports Northwest launched a paid over-the-top service, Blazers Plus, offering access to 15 games through the remainder of the season.{{Cite news |title=NBC Sports to offer 15 Portland Trail Blazers games on streaming devices |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2017/11/nbc_sports_to_offer_15_portland_trail_blazers_game.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105174618/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2017/11/nbc_sports_to_offer_15_portland_trail_blazers_game.html |archive-date=November 5, 2017 |access-date=November 2, 2017 |work=OregonLive.com |language=en-US}}

On June 16, 2016, The Oregonian reported that Barrett, Rice, and analyst Antonio Harvey had been released by the Trail Blazers. Wheeler will call games on radio alone, while the three former personalities still received pay for the final season of their contracts. The change came as part of a plan by the team to overhaul its telecasts as it enters the final year of its current television deal with CSN Northwest. The next day, the team announced that veteran sportscaster Kevin Calabro would become its new lead commentator beginning in the 2016–17 season.{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2016 |title=Kevin Calabro hired by Portland Trail Blazers as new TV play-by-play broadcaster |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2016/06/trail_blazers_hire_kevin_calabro_to_do_television.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317174105/https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2016/06/trail_blazers_hire_kevin_calabro_to_do_television.html |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=January 21, 2017 |website=The Oregonian}} On July 1, 2020, Kevin Calabro announced his departure as TV play-by-play broadcaster. Jordan Kent, the main host for the Blazers TV studio show, was named interim TV play-by-play broadcaster and in November 2020 was named the full-time TV play-by-play broadcaster starting with the 2020–2021 season. However, Calabro resumed calling Trail Blazers games after an absence of only one season. Calabro's current partners are color commentator Lamar Hurd, and sideline reporter Brooke Olzendam.

Prior to the 2021–22 season, the Trail Blazers announced that they would return to Root Sports Northwest under a multi-year deal of undisclosed length. A key factor in the deal was reported to be the network's wider carriage over NBC Sports Northwest, which included greater coverage on streaming and satellite providers (including DirecTV and Dish Network, although the latter's contract with Root Sports and several other AT&T SportsNet channels expired at the end of September 2021, with no renewal).{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2021 |title=ROOT Sports' deal with Dish Network expires, leaving subscribers out of luck to watch Mariners and Kraken |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/root-sports-deal-with-dish-network-expires-leaving-subscribers-out-of-luck-to-watch-mariners-and-kraken/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029062554/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/root-sports-deal-with-dish-network-expires-leaving-subscribers-out-of-luck-to-watch-mariners-and-kraken/ |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=October 29, 2021 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Freeman |first=Joe |date=June 9, 2021 |title=Portland Trail Blazers' television broadcast moving to Root Sports with 4-year deal |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/06/portland-trail-blazers-television-broadcast-moving-to-root-sports-with-4-year-deal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029062553/https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/06/portland-trail-blazers-television-broadcast-moving-to-root-sports-with-4-year-deal.html |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |work=The Oregonian |language=en}} The Trail Blazers announced they would leave Root Sports Northwest on August 14, 2024; no details on a replacement broadcaster were announced at that time.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-14 |title=Portland Trail Blazers end broadcast deal with Root Sports, effective immediately |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/sports/nba/blazers/portland-trail-blazers-end-broadcast-root-sports/283-03438dbb-62a7-4fac-a95b-3375b04ded90 |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=kgw.com |language=en-US}}

{{Anchor|Rip City Television Network}}

On September 23, 2024, the Trail Blazers announced an agreement with the Sinclair Broadcast Group to launch Rip City Television Network, which will syndicate games over-the-air to KATU-DT2 in Portland, Oregon, KUNS-DT2 in Seattle, Washington, KTVL-DT4 in Medford, Oregon, KVAL-DT2 in Eugene, Oregon, KCBY-DT2 in Coos Bay, Oregon, KPIC-DT2 in Roseburg, Oregon, KIMA-DT3 in Yakima, Washington and KEPR-DT3 in Pasco, Washington. In Portland, games moved to KUNP on January 1, 2025. The Blazers also relaunched BlazerVision, but as a direct-to-consumer streaming service rather than a pay-per-view service.{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Portland Trail Blazers Announce Future Of Trail Blazers Broadcasting |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/portland-trail-blazers-announce-future-of-trail-blazers-broadcasting |access-date=September 23, 2024|website=Trail Blazers |language=en-US}}

All Trail Blazers' games are broadcast over the radio, with broadcasting carried on the Trail Blazers radio network, which consists of 25 stations located in the Pacific Northwest. The flagship station of the Blazers' radio network is 620 KPOJ in Portland. The radio broadcasting team consists of play-by-play announcer Travis Demers{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers Hire Travis Demers as Team's Radio Play-by-Play Broadcaster |url=https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/2019/9/8/blazers-hire-demers-as-radio-play-by-play-broadcast |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915062339/https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/2019/9/8/blazers-hire-demers-as-radio-play-by-play-broadcast |archive-date=September 15, 2019 |access-date=September 17, 2019 |website=NBA.com}} and studio host Jay Allen.{{Cite web |title=Trail Blazers announce 2007/08 Broadcast Schedule |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_200708_Season_B-237407-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220195954/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Trail_Blazers_200708_Season_B-237407-1218.html |archive-date=February 20, 2008 |access-date=November 2, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers Official Site |publisher=National Basketball Association}} All games are preceded by a pre-game analysis show, Blazers Courtside, and followed by a post-game show known as The 5th Quarter. Bob Akamian served as studio host until halfway through the 2010–2011 season, when the team hired away Adam Bjaranson from their over-the-air TV partner, KGW, and former Trail Blazers' player Michael Holton is the studio analyst. The original radio announcer for the team was Bill Schonely, who served as the team's radio play-by-play announcer from 1970 until 1992 and from 1994 until his retirement (he did Trail Blazers TV games with Jones from 1992 to 1994) in 1998—calling 2,522 Blazers games—and remained with the team as a community ambassador.{{Cite web |title=Pyramid Taproom at Schonely's Place Pays Tribute to Trail Blazers Broadcast Legend |url=http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Pyramid_Taproom_at_Schonelyrs-241171-1218.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109204155/http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/Pyramid_Taproom_at_Schonelyrs-241171-1218.html |archive-date=January 9, 2008 |access-date=November 2, 2007 |website=Portland Trail Blazers Official Site |publisher=National Basketball Association}} Brian Wheeler then did play-by-play from 1998 to 2019.

{{See also|History of the Portland Trail Blazers#Trail Blazers vs. The Oregonian|l1=Trail Blazers vs. The Oregonian}}

Several local news outlets provide in-depth coverage of the Trail Blazers. Chief among them is The Oregonian, the largest paper in the state of Oregon. Other newspapers providing detailed coverage of the team (including the assignment of beat writers to cover the team) include the Portland Tribune, a weekly Portland paper, and the Vancouver, Washington Columbian. Notable local journalists to cover the team include John Canzano of the Oregonian, Jason Quick of The Athletic, and Dwight Jaynes of the Portland Tribune. Online coverage of the Oregonian is provided through OregonLive.com,{{Cite news |title=Portland Trail Blazers with The Oregonian |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422190112/http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/ |archive-date=April 22, 2006 |access-date=February 28, 2006 |work=OregonLive.com |publisher=The Oregonian}} a website collaboration between the paper and Advance Internet.{{Cite news |title=About Us |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/aboutus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112061542/http://www.oregonlive.com/aboutus/ |archive-date=November 12, 2007 |access-date=November 9, 2007 |work=OregonLive.com}} In addition to making Oregonian content available, oregonlive.com hosts several blogs covering the team written by Oregonian journalists,{{Cite news |last1=Quick |first1=Jason |last2=Freeman |first2=Joe |title=Behind the Blazers Beat |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907231217/http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/ |archive-date=September 7, 2009 |access-date=November 5, 2007 |work=OregonLive.com (The Oregonian)}}{{Cite news |last=John Canzano |title=John Canzano's blog |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/johncanzano/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109225940/http://blog.oregonlive.com/johncanzano/ |archive-date=November 9, 2007 |access-date=November 9, 2007 |work=OregonLive.com (The Oregonian)}} as well as an additional blog, "Blazers Blog", written by Sean Meagher.{{Cite news |last=Meagher |first=Sean |title=Blazers Blog |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106104856/http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/ |archive-date=November 6, 2007 |access-date=November 8, 2007 |work=OregonLive.com}}

Relations between the team and The Oregonian have often been tense; the paper is editorially independent of the team and is often critical. During the Steve Patterson era, relations between the two institutions became increasingly hostile; several NBA executives told ESPN's Chris Sheridan that the situation was the "most dysfunctional media-team relationship" that they could recall.{{Cite news |last=Sheridan |first=Chris |author-link=Chris Sheridan (sportswriter) |date=November 17, 2006 |title=Blazers owner foresees a "few turns in the road" |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=2666051 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231220052/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=2666051 |archive-date=December 31, 2006 |access-date=October 25, 2007 |publisher=ESPN}} For instance during a portion of a pre-2006 NBA draft workout, which was closed to the media, an Oregonian reporter looked through a curtain separating the press from the workout and wrote about this on his blog.{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Henry |date=June 15, 2006 |title=Adam Morrison vs. Rudy Gay vs. Brandon Roy vs. Hassan Adams |url=http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-13-89/Adam-Morrison-vs--Rudy-Gay-vs--Brandon-Roy-vs--Hassan-Adams.html?post=true |access-date=November 9, 2007 |website=TrueHoop}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} Outraged, the team closed subsequent practices to the press altogether,{{Cite news |last=Holdahl |first=Casey |date=June 16, 2006 |title=Team shuts media out |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2006/06/team_shuts_media_out.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212001127/http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2006/06/team_shuts_media_out.html |archive-date=December 12, 2007 |access-date=November 9, 2007 |work=Oregonlive.com Blazers blog}} leading John Canzano of the paper to respond with outrage on his blog.{{Cite news |last=Canzano |first=John |date=June 16, 2006 |title=The Blazers...hit a new low |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/canzano/index.ssf?/mtlogs/olive_JohnCanzano/archives/2006_06.html#152218 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521064404/http://www.oregonlive.com/canzano/index.ssf?%2Fmtlogs%2Folive_JohnCanzano%2Farchives%2F2006_06.html#152218 |archive-date=May 21, 2008 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |work=The Oregonian}} In November 2006, the Oregonian commissioned an outside editor to investigate the deteriorating relationship,{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Henry |date=October 26, 2006 |title=Craig Lancaster describes his Oregonian story |url=http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-17-134/Craig-Lancaster-Describes-his-Oregonian-Story.html |access-date=November 9, 2007 |website=TrueHoop}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} a move the rival Willamette Week called "unusual".{{Cite news |last=Jaquiss |first=Nigel |author-link=Nigel Jaquiss |date=November 8, 2006 |title=Blazer Gazers |url=http://wweek.com/editorial/3253/8176/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224090803/http://wweek.com/editorial/3253/8176/ |archive-date=December 24, 2007 |access-date=November 9, 2007 |work=Willamette Week}} In the report,{{Cite news |last=Lancaster |first=Craig |date=November 5, 2006 |title=A difference of perspective: The Oregonian v. Blazers |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/canzano/index.ssf?/mtlogs/olive_JohnCanzano/archives/2006_06.html#152218 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101004014/http://www.oregonlive.com/canzano/index.ssf?%2Fmtlogs%2Folive_JohnCanzano%2Farchives%2F2006_06.html#152218 |archive-date=November 1, 2007 |access-date=November 9, 2007 |work=The Oregonian}} both sides were criticized somewhat, but did not make any revelations which were unexpected.

Additional coverage is offered by various blogs, including Blazers Edge{{Cite web |title=Blazers Edge |url=http://www.blazersedge.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702220723/http://www.blazersedge.com/ |archive-date=July 2, 2013 |access-date=July 2, 2013}} (part of SB Nation) and the Portland Roundball Society{{Cite web |title=The Portland Roundball Society |url=http://www.portlandroundballsociety.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207015755/http://www.portlandroundballsociety.com/ |archive-date=February 7, 2020 |access-date=March 30, 2020}} (part of ESPN's TrueHoop Network).

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