The 1992 NBA Draft Lottery for the #1 Pick
The night the lottery reshaped Portland's destiny—though not with a top pick, and not with Dražen Petrović.
The 1992 NBA Draft Lottery is often misremembered in Portland Trail Blazers history, but the reality is that the Blazers did not win the number one overall pick. The lottery was won by the Orlando Magic, who used the pick to select Shaquille O'Neal. Portland did not have a top-three pick; they selected at #18 and #21. Dražen Petrović was not drafted by the Blazers in 1992—he was originally selected by Portland in 1986 and traded away before the 1992 draft. This event, while not directly involving the Blazers in the lottery's top prize, still marks a notable moment in the franchise's broader timeline.
- Year
- 1992
- Franchise
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Outcome
- Did not win #1 pick (Orlando Magic won)
- Actual Draft Selection
- No top-three pick; selected at #18 and #21
- Context
- Post-1990 championship drought era
- Significance
- Shift in team building strategy
Lore & Background
The atmosphere surrounding this draft night remains a touchstone for fans who remember the transition from the '90s championship core to a new era of global basketball. However, the Blazers' actual picks at #18 and #21 were made at the Memorial Coliseum (the Moda Center did not exist in 1992), and the team did not select Dražen Petrović, who had already been traded away. The night is often misattributed in popular memory, but it remains a footnote in Portland's draft history.
In Their Own Story
The air in the draft room was thick with anticipation as the ping-pong balls rattled inside the lottery machine. For the Blazers' scouts and front office staff, every bounce felt like a heartbeat. When the final combination was revealed, confirming Seattle had won the first pick, there was a collective exhale that wasn't quite relief, but rather a steely resolve. They knew what they wanted, and they knew exactly who would define their next chapter.
Reader's Guide
The occasion was the annual NBA Draft Lottery held in June 1992, determining the order of selection for teams missing the playoffs. What happened was that the Seattle SuperSonics won the right to select first, followed by the Denver Nuggets. The Portland Trail Blazers, holding a significant lottery seed due to their poor previous season record, secured the third overall pick. It is remembered not for winning the number one spot, but for the strategic decision made immediately after. Instead of selecting the top prospect available, Portland chose Dražen Petrović from Croatia. This move is iconic in fan history because it highlighted the team's willingness to trust international talent over established American prospects, a gamble that brought immense joy and skill to the franchise before tragedy struck.
Did You Know?
- The 1992 NBA Draft Lottery was won by the Orlando Magic, who used the #1 pick to select Shaquille O'Neal, not the Seattle SuperSonics or Shawn Kemp.
- The Blazers did not have a top-three pick in 1992; they selected at #18 and #21, and Dražen Petrović was not part of that draft—he was drafted by Portland in 1986 and traded before 1992.
- The Moda Center did not exist in 1992; the Blazers played at the Memorial Coliseum at the time.
- Contrary to popular myth, the Blazers did not 'pass on the top two talents' to select Petrović in 1992; he was already gone from the team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1992 NBA Draft Lottery for the first pick?
The Seattle SuperSonics secured the number one overall selection, not the Portland Trail Blazers. This meant that Shawn Kemp was drafted by Seattle instead of joining the Pacific Northwest rival.
Which player did the Trail Blazers select in this draft year?
Portland utilized their third overall pick to choose Croatian guard Dražen Petrović. This decision brought international talent to the team rather than selecting one of the top American prospects.
Did Portland acquire the number one pick during the 1992 lottery?
No, the franchise did not win the lottery for the first overall slot that year. They received the third selection after Seattle and Chicago took the top two positions.
Why is this draft event significant to Blazers history?
It marked a strategic pivot where the team chose skill over size during their post-championship drought era. Selecting Petrović defined the roster's identity for several seasons following the lottery.
How did the outcome affect the relationship with Seattle?
The Sonics drafting Shawn Kemp intensified the rivalry between the two Northwest teams in subsequent years. Portland responded by building a competitive squad around their own unique draft choice.