The 1980–81 season was the 11th season of the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Blazers won seven more games than the previous season, ending with a record of 45–37 and making the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.
The Blazers were eliminated from the 1980 NBA Playoffs after losing their best-of-three first-round series to the Kansas City Kings, two games to one.
Note: This is not a complete list; only the first two rounds are covered, as well as any other picks by the franchise who played at least one NBA game.
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
(4) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (5) Kansas City Kings: Kings win series 2-1
Game 1 @ Portland: Kansas City 98, Portland 97 (OT)
Game 2 @ Kansas City: Portland 124, Kansas City 119 (OT)
Game 3 @ Portland: Kansas City 104, Portland 95
Awards and honors
Kelvin Ransey, All-NBA Rookie Team
Kermit Washington, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
July 21, 1980
Waived Charles Jones
August 15, 1980
Traded T. R. Dunn and a first round pick in the 1983 NBA draft to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a 1983 first round draft pick and a second round pick in the 1984 NBA draft. Denver drafted Howard Carter and the Trail Blazers selected Clyde Drexler in 1983 and Steve Colter in 1984.
September 24, 1980
Signed free agent Roy Hamilton
October 8, 1980
Traded Jim Brewer to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for the a second round draft pick in the 1984 NBA draft. During the draft the Trail Blazers had the option to swap first round picks with the Lakers but declined. Portland selected Jerome Kersey with the Lakers pick.
October 13, 1980
Waived Roy Hamilton
December 19, 1980
Traded Ron Brewer to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Mike Gale and a first round pick in the 1982 NBA draft. The Trail Blazers later traded that pick which the Detroit Pistons used to select Ricky Pierce.
February 2, 1981
Signed free agent Geoff Crompton
June 5, 1981
Traded Tom Owens to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a first round pick in the 1984 NBA draft. Portland selected Sam Bowie with the pick.
June 8, 1981
Traded Mike Gale to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a second round pick in 1982 NBA draft and a 1985 second round pick. In 1982 Portland selected Audie Norris and Mike Smrek was chosen in 1985.
