 In 1974 he was drafted again by the Kentucky Colonels in the 5th round of the ABA draft of NBA players.He joined the Trail Blazers at the start of the Blazers' second season and became a roster mainstay for nine years before knee injuries forced him into retirement at the end of the 1979–80 season.Steele played his entire NBA career for the team (retiring from basketball at the end of the 1979–80 season).