Throughout the Trail Blazers history, there have been some intriguing selections in the later part of the lottery. The Blazers will select 11th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, which could lead to intriguing prospects.

The Trail Blazers’ Intriguing Draft History With The #11 Pick

The Portland Trail Blazers are still in their rebuild, which means every NBA Draft becomes more important to them. Unfortunately, they only have the 11th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, so they will miss out on the top prospects.

Nevertheless, general manager Joe Cronin will be under pressure to make a big selection with the #11 pick. The franchise has had the #11 pick twice in the past, which needs a look. Those selections could set the tone for what kind of player the Blazers’ draft pick could become.

Apr 13, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin (left) and Trail Blazers’ head coach Chauncey Billups field questions from the working press before Portland plays their last season game against Los Angeles Lakers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
Lafayette “Fat” Lever (1982)

After playing for Arizona State in college, Fat Lever declared for the 1982 NBA Draft. Lever was the 11th pick of the draft, joining the struggling Blazers. His arrival coincided with the start of the Blazers’ unprecedented run of making the playoffs 21 consecutive times.

Lever was a decent player for the Trail Blazers, spending two seasons with the franchise. He played 162 regular season and 12 postseason games for the Trail Blazers. Lever had averaged 8.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in those regular season appearances.

Blazers 1982 first round draft pick(me) 😂 w the 🏀team captain Pax..
Thanks blazer and fans.150 more years. #80’s💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/BhX2QukaLc

— Lafayette “Fat” Lever (@phattime12) December 21, 2019

Unfortunately for Portland, Lever did not reach the pinnacle of his career in the Pacific Northwest. He was a big piece in the Blazers’ trade for Kiki Vandeweghe, who became a fixture of Portland’s lineup. Kiki and Blazers legend Clyde Drexler were a dynamic duo, leading the Blazers to multiple playoff appearances.

Lever would flourish with the Nuggets, as he gradually became one of the NBA’s best point guards. He was a versatile player who could score, rebound, and generate offense. Portland could have used that version of him, but they still succeeded with Vandeweghe.

Meyers Leonard (2012)

Lever ended up being a successful pick due to being part of a productive trade. That is not the case with Meyers Leonard in 2012. Leonard was Portland’s second selection in 2012, as they got franchise icon Damian Lillard with the sixth pick.

From the jump, Leonard had to operate under other players’ shadows. He was a promising athletic center, but he lacked strengths beyond that. To Blazers fans’ chagrin, Leonard would become a fixture of the roster, spending seven years with the franchise.

Blazers 2016 offseason 😩🥴😵‍💫
-Allen crabbe 4 yr $75M
-Evan Turner 4 yr $70M
-Mo harkless 4 yr $42M
-Meyers leonard 4 yr $41M
-Festus ezeli 2 yr $16M https://t.co/cTd3xXBQGS

— Kirk (@kirkgwong) August 22, 2023

The fans disliked Leonard because he did not realize his potential. His athleticism was always there, but he didn’t get to use it much. Leonard was a foul magnet, which affected his productivity.

Across 393 regular-season games, Leonard averaged a pedestrian 5.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.3 blocks a night. It was the Blazers’ draft failure in 2012 because players like Draymond Green and Khris Middleton were available.

The Blazers’ Draft Selection In 2025 Has Immense Potential

Despite the rocky history associated with the #11 pick, Cronin and the Blazers’ front office should be excited. This year’s class of prospects is promising enough to warrant some hype for the Blazers’ draft selection. The progress alongside the possible new ownership group has led to a more hopeful outlook.

We already detailed some of the possible targets Portland could chase, who fit well into head coach Chauncey Billups’ system. Trail Blazers fans should be excited for the future because their rebuild is going swimmingly.

Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and the rest of the roster are developing. The Lillard era hangover might still be there, but young players are thriving, especially Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija.

Photo credit: © Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images