Jim Paxson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Paxson, a swingman born in Kettering, Ohio and the son of former NBA player Jim Paxson Sr., played college basketball at the University of Dayton. He was a three-time team MVP and earned All-America honors as a senior after averaging more than 23 points per game. He also averaged 17 points as a junior and 18 points as a sophomore at Dayton. The 6-foot-6 Paxson was an NBA All-Star in 1983 and 1984. He also earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 1984 after averaging 21 points per game. He spent nine seasons with Portland (1979–1988) and, after being traded to Boston in February 1988, spent two full seasons with Boston (1988–1990). When he was traded from Portland, he left as the team's all-time leading scorer. After retiring in 1990 at the age of 32, Paxson joined Portland's front office as assistant general manager. In September 1998, he was named vice president of basketball operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was promoted to general manager in 1999, serving in that position until he was fired in April 2005. The Cavaliers won 185 games and lost 307 games in the six years Paxson was general manager. In July 2006, Paxson was hired as a consultant for the Bulls. Paxson was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2004, he was named to the University of Dayton's All-Century Team.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Jim Paxson is defined by specific milestones rather than a single dramatic game-winning shot. In February 1988, after spending nine seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers (1979–1988), he was traded to the Boston Celtics. He spent two full seasons with Boston from 1988 to 1990 before retiring. His playing accolades include All-Star selections in 1983 and 1984, along with All-NBA Second Team honors in 1984. Post-retirement, his career shifted entirely to management. He was promoted to general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1999, serving until he was fired in April 2005. During his six-year tenure as GM, the Cavaliers won exactly 185 games and lost 307.

Reader's Guide

Jim Paxson was a swingman who played for the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics. He was a two-time NBA All-Star (1983, 1984) and earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 1984. He served as general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1999 to 2005.

Did You Know?

• Paxson was the 12th overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft.
• He was a three-time team MVP at the University of Dayton.
• When traded from Portland, he left as the team's all-time leading scorer.
• The Cavaliers won 185 games and lost 307 games during his tenure as general manager.