20 best NBA Draft trades ever
By John Buhler
10. LaMarcus Aldridge from Chicago Bulls to Portland Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers made themselves one outstanding draft day trade back in 2006. Portland traded for the draft rights to No. 2 overall pick in power forward LaMarcus Aldridge from the Bulls for the draft rights to two players: Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa.
Aldridge starred for two years in the Big 12 for the Texas Longhorns before becoming a five-time NBA All-Star with the Trail Blazers during his nine yeas in Portland (2006-15). While Aldridge would leave the Pacific Northwest for the Spurs in 2015 NBA free agency, he became one of the most offensively gifted power forwards while with the Trail Blazers.
Aldridge led two different eras of Trail Blazers basketball to the NBA Playoffs: the Brandon Roy era and the early part of the Damian Lillard era in Portland. Five of nine seasons with Aldridge at power forward, Portland qualified for a playoff berth. Keep in mind that the Trail Blazers briefly rebuilt between both eras.
In a basketball crazy small market, Aldridge was beloved during his time in Portland. He’ll probably one day have his number retired by the Trail Blazers organization. In his prime, Aldridge made Portland a dark horse title contender as one of the best power forwards in the game.
Next: 9. Vince Carter from Golden State Warriors to Toronto Raptors.