Explore

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 27, 2026, 10:52 PM

September 27, 2023 - The Blazers traded Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Lillard, the Blazers All-time leader in scoring with 19,376 points, had requested to be traded to the Miami Heat on July 1, but instead will join two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on a Bucks team that won 58 games in the 2022/23 season.

The Blazers also traded Keon Johnson, Nassir Little and Jusuf Nurkić to the Phoenix Suns, who in-turn, traded Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara back to Portland.

The Blazers also received Jrue Holiday from Milwaukee, as well as three future picks for the rights to Lillard.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 27, 2026, 10:47 PM

September 27, 1994 - Clyde Drexler is not against a possible trade to the Miami Heat, saying, "After being in Portland for so long, it's not like I want to go, but it might be best for everybody."

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

The Blazers All-Time leading scorer with 17,136 points, who is entering his 12th season with Portland, has been outspoken regarding certain moves the organization has done in the off-season. "Geoff Petrie, Rick Adelman, Wayne Cooper, Mike Shimensky. We've let some good people go. It doesn't sit well with me."

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 25, 2026, 6:41 PM

September 25, 1975 - A noticeably bulkier Bill Walton enters his second training camp with the Blazers.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

Besides weight lifting, Walton has adjusted his vegetarian diet to include chicken and fish, pushing his weight from 210 pounds his rookie year to a reported 260 pounds.

Walton is sidelined for the opening of the camp with a toe issue.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 25, 2026, 5:47 PM

September 25, 1971 - The Blazers announce that Geoff Petrie has had successful knee surgery and will be sidelined for 8-10 weeks.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

The NBA Co-Rookie of the Year injured the left knee on August 12 during a practice session, with the initial diagnosis being either a ligament strain or tendonitis. When the knee failed to respond to treatment, the Blazers team doctor, Dr. Frank Smith, consulted with a nationally known knee specialist, Dr. Donald Slocum of Eugene, and Dr. Robert Cram of Bryn Mawr, PA., who performed surgery on Petrie in 1963.

Smith said, "The lateral side of the knee joint was opened where a torn, loosened ... knee cartilage was found. We removed the entire lateral knee cartilage."

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 25, 2026, 4:50 PM

September 25, 2009 - The Blazers announce the re-signing of Ime Udoka.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

A Portland native, Udoka played for Jefferson HS and Portland State before entering the NBA in 2003. Udoka started 75 games for the Blazers during the 2006/07 season, when he averaged career-highs with 8.4 points and 3.4 rebounds. Udoka signed as a free agent with the Spurs after his season in Portland.

When he made his Blazers debut on November 1, 2006, Udoka became the third player born in Portland to play for the home team, following Damon Stoudamire and Dan Dickau. Since then, Jerami Grant became the fourth Portland born player to play for the Blazers.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 25, 2026, 4:26 PM

September 25, 2017 - Jusuf Nurkić and Damian Lillard have both made personal changes to ready themselves for the 2017/18 season.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 25, 2026, 12:47 AM

September 24, 1970 - The Blazers played their first ever preseason game at Mark Morris High School in Longview, WA. against the San Francisco Warriors in front of an estimated 2,800 fans.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

The Blazers entered the final quarter with a 97-81 lead but the veteran Warrior team pulled off the 119-118 victory behind the game-high 28 points by Jerry Lucas, who pulled down 14 rebounds.

Portland was led by Jim Barnett and Stan McKenzie, who each scored 23 points, with Barnett passing for a game-high 8 assists. LeRoy Ellis added 19 points and 17 rebounds, while Gary Gregor pulled down 26 rebounds along with 17 points.

The game in Longview came about because local resident, Bill Ammons, called the Blazers office to see if he could put the game together in his town. “I was about 28 years old and I loved sports my whole life," said Ammons, when he recalled the game in 2018. who owned a barbershop at the time. He figured the game wouldn’t count in the standings, but it would bring big NBA players to the small town and help the franchise to grow the fan base on the north side of the Columbia River.

"I was just sitting there and said, ‘You know what, I’m calling Harry Glickman.’ He and I just kind of clicked then. I still can’t believe I put that on,” Ammons chuckled.

The deal that Glickman and Ammons struck stated that all the ticket money had to go to charity. The Longview Progress Center, which worked to help children meet their developmental marks by age three, wound up as the financial beneficiary of the one-off arrangement.
After weeks of planning and coordinating, the game tipped off in the Monarchs’ gymnasium, now named Ted M. Natt Court. While the official tally says 2,800 people were on hand at Mark Morris to see the Blazers budding stars, Ammons says he knows there were more.

The shiny new team boasted a roster with familiar names such as NBA vet Stan McKenzie, Rick Adelman and former Oregon Duck Jim Barnett as they took on the Warriors, then of San Francisco. “A lot of big studs were there. They played their top guys. There was real talent out there. It was a real game,” Ammons said.

“That first game was talked about for years. It spurred all these young guys up here. This crowd wasn’t used to seeing 7-foot-tall guys who could dunk like no tomorrow,” Ammons explained. “It was a real experience, a tremendous event. To get that kind of crowd was great. I feel fortunate to have been able to do it and I was just a kid. I am so proud of that.”

Kirc Roland, the athletic director of Lower Columbia College in 2018 but a junior high school student at the time, said the moment Ammons told him the Blazers were coming to town he realized the day would be historic. “I was a boy who all of a sudden had a NBA game being played in my hometown. You just had to be there. It’s a pretty cool story that a young guy like Bill (Ammons) would call Glickman and get this event here,” Roland said.

Roland said the game remains a highlighted memory for him. To watch stars like Pat Riley and Geoff Petrie play in his hometown, and his future high school, was a once in a lifetime kind of deal. “You have got to understand it was a different time,” Roland said. “It was the 70’s. You wouldn’t see that in today’s world. The game was an exhibition game, so it didn’t really count. But it counted to Longview. It’s a little piece of history in this town because of Bill.”

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 24, 2026, 3:54 AM

September 23, 1997 - The Blazers announce the signing of Kelvin Cato and John Crotty, and deal with rumors of a potential trade for Dennis Scott of the Orlando Magic.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

Cato, the Blazers first round selection in the draft, signed a three-year deal with Portland. With the expected departure of Chris Dudley to the Knicks, Cato will be the backup center to Arvydas Sabonis.

The Blazers also announced the signing of free agent guard John Crotty, though the NBA confirms the contract was agreed to on August 27.

In other news, Dennis Scott expects to be traded by the Magic to either Portland or Dallas. Scott says the Blazers are willing to trade Stacey Augmon and a draft pick. He also says he expects Dallas to trade Derek Harper and Ed O'Bannon to Orlando.

Jim Paxson, the Blazers assistant GM, commented, saying, "We need a shooter, and he is one of a few shooters who would be available. But as far as any deal that might be in the works, I can't comment."

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 4:35 PM

September 23, 1980 - The Blazers had no issue in the 111-93 preseason victory vs the Seattle Super Sonics, with Sonics rookie Bill Hanzlik making his first appearance on the Memorial Coliseum floor in five years.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

Hanzlik attended Lake Oswego HS, and last played on the Blazers home court when he guided the suburban Portland high school to a third place finish in the 1975 Oregon School Activities Association tournament.

The Hanzlik family moved to Beloit, Wisconsin the summer before Bill's senior season of high school. After graduating, Hanzlik was recruited to play for the Univ. of Notre Dame. Hanzlik was named to the 1980 US Olympic team before Seattle drafted him in the First Round of the 1980 NBA Draft with 20th pick.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 4:32 PM

September 23, 1978 - The Blazers and the Phoenix Suns combined for 89 fouls and 99 free throw attempts before Portland pulled off the 110-109 preseason win.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

NBA Official Ed Rush, who worked the Denver v Seattle opening game, commented afterwards that the excessive calls are not due to the third referee, but the new rules on hand checking. "The players have to get used to the new rules." said Rush. He said further, "I think this will be one of the best things that's happened to the NBA. But it will take time."

Tom Owens led Portland with 22 points, with TR Dunn adding 14 points and a game-high 9 rebounds.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 4:26 AM

September 22, 1982 - The Blazers waive center Kevin Kunnert after three years in Portland.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

Kunnert arrived in 1979 from the San Diego Clippers as part of the compensation package for the signing of Bill Walton. Kunnert was limited by injuries to just 94 games, and averaged 4.5 points and 5 rebounds with the Blazers.

Originally drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1973, Kunnert was traded to the Buffalo Braves before a trade to the Houston Rockets midway through his rookie season. Kunnert spent five seasons in Houston, averaging 10.4 points and 8.5 rebounds in 341 games.

Kunnert signed a free agent contract with the Boston Celtics in the summer of 1978 but was soon part of a massive trade between the Celtics and the-then Braves franchise that moved to San Diego prior to the 1978/79 season.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 4:08 AM

September 22, 1978 - Six rookies made their NBA preseason debuts with the Blazers in front of 16.696 fans at the Kingdome in Seattle.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

Mychal Thompson and Ron Brewer, the first and seventh picks in the June draft, were the names most fans knew, but Kim Anderson, Clay Johnson, Clemon Johnson, and Keith Herron all played double-digit minutes in a foul-marred evening.

"I felt the rookies got their feet wet and showed good signs," said Jack Ramsay, who signed a new contract earlier in the day. "This was a good night for us. First nights are always tough."

The NBA approved a third official for games starting this year and the effect was immediate. In the opening game Phoenix v Denver game, 80 fouls were called, followed by 68 in the Portland v Seattle nightcap. With the elimination of the hand-checking rule, players habits will need to change, but Ramsay said, "I think the new rules are great. It will make for a better game."

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 4:06 AM

September 22, 1972 - Geoff Petrie scored a game high 30 points as Portland upset the Utah Stars 106-102 in front of 2,325 fans in the Inaugural Pro Basketball Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

The Blazers fell behind early, 20-9, and seemed to have trouble with the ABA ball that was used in the first half, before bouncing back to a 44-44 tie at halftime. Sidney Wicks scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while Terry Dischinger added 14 points in the win.

Zelmo Beaty, a two-time All-Star in the NBA before jumping to the rival league, scored 23 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Stars. Willie Wise, who went to the free throw line 16 times, scored 27 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. The Stars won the ABA Title in 1971 and lost in the Western Finals last to the eventual ABA Champion Indiana Pacers in 7 games.

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle Supersonics in the opening game this evening. The Blazers, who defeated Seattle yesterday, are 2-0 and will play the Bulls on Sept 24 to determine the winner in the round-robin tournament.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 21, 2026, 5:06 AM

September 20, 1994 - The Blazers signed free agent center James Edwards.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

Blazers GM Bob Whitsitt expects Edwards to be able to play 12 to 20 minutes as a backup to Chris Dudley. "I've been saving my legs the last two years," said Edwards, who played 45 games last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Edwards, who is entering into his 18th NBA season, was a 1977 graduate of the Univ. of Washington and was a third round selection by the Lakers but traded to the Indiana Pacers during his rookie year. Edwards played four years in Indiana, then a six year run in Phoenix. Edwards was a member of the Detroit Pistons back-to-back Title teams in 1989 and 1990 before heading back to Los Angeles, spending one season with the Clippers, with the last two years with the Lakers.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 20, 2026, 3:41 PM

September 20, 1979 - Two days after NBA Commissioner Larry O'Brien announced the compensation package to Portland for the San Diego Clippers signing of Bill Walton, there are reports that the players may not report to Portland.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

The attorney for Kermit Washington and Kevin Kunnert, who were to join the Blazers in Minnesota for a preseason game vs the San Antonio Spurs tomorrow, has advised his clients to not report to Portland until further notice. He told the players after learning that a federal judge has voided the compensation package awarded to the Seattle Super Sonics by the New York Knicks for the signing of Marvin Webster. The NBPA has indicated the union may challenge the Walton compensation as well.

In addition, the Clippers have asked for an extension to the 48 hours they had regarding Randy Smith, the third player awarded to Portland. The Clippers are looking to move Smith for a draft pick that would be used to transfer to Portland.

As well, reports are that the Blazers first round draft choice Kelvin Ransey is asking for a contract worth $400K a year, but the Blazers are only offering $200K per year.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 20, 2026, 12:40 AM

September 19, 1980 - Ron Brewer and Sidney Moncrief last shared a court in Arkansas on Feb. 25, 1978, when they combined to lead the Razorbacks past TCU and into the SW Conference Tournament.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

The duo, along with Marvin Delph, led Arkansas into the schools first Final Four appearance. After losing to eventual champion Kentucky, the Razorbacks to a third place finish, topping Norte Dame.

Today, Moncrief and the Milwaukee Bucks proved to be the better team, defeating Brewer and the Blazers 115-107 in the Blazers first exhibition game of the season. Moncrief finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds in 26 minutes, while Brewer scored 18 points.

The teams travel to Fayetteville for the next exhibition game in two days.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 19, 2026, 5:01 PM

September 19, 1974 - The Blazers open their fifth annual training camp with a new coach and a new number 1 pick.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

Lenny Wilkens, who retired as a player after the 1973/74 season ended, enters the Portland annals as the fourth coach in team history. "We are going to be a very competitive team. We will be a contender soon. I can't say how soon, but soon."

Unlike 1972, when the Blazers opened camp with a new coach (Jack McCloskey) and the first pick in the NBA Draft (LaRue Martin), Bill Walton has lifted expectations of the team that finished 27-55 last season.

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 19, 2026, 4:41 PM

September 19, 2018 - The Blazers announce a multi-year agreement with Performance Health, which will include a first ever jersey patch on the Blazers uniform.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 18, 2026, 3:33 PM

September 18, 1979 - NBA Commissioner Larry O'Brien announced the compensation package granted to the Blazers for the signing of Bill Walton by the San Diego Clippers in May.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

The Clippers are to send to Portland forward Kermit Washington, center Kevin Kunnert, and the Clippers 1980 first round pick. O'Brien also included All-Star guard Randy Smith in the compensation, but gave the San Diego the option to keep Smith, and send a 1982 First Round pick and $350K to Portland in lieu of Smith.

Portland owner Larry Weinberg said, "We are delighted to acquire the contracts of Kermit Washington and Kevin Kunnert and possibly Randy Smith." He added disappointment that the Blazers didn't receive more future draft picks.

O'Brien cited the 1975 trade of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Los Angeles Lakers, who sent four players and $1M to Milwaukee for the former NBA MVP, similar to Waltons' status. "If Walton in his first five years had proven as durable as Chamberlain, Russell, or Abdul-Jabbar, it would be virtually impossible to calculate his value or to compensate Portland for its loss."

@blazershistory.bsky.social Sep 17, 2026, 2:55 AM

September 16, 1980 - While Calvin Natt is looking forward to his first full season in Portland, the Blazers have just started negotiations with rookie Kelvin Ransey with no progress as yet.

#RipCity #ThisDateinBlazersHistory

The Blazers front office also deny rumors of trading guard Ron Brewer, who celebrates his 25th birthday today. One rumor has the Boston Celtics offering Rick Robey to the Blazers, with coach Jack Ramsay saying they have not had any conversations with Boston.