NBA Draft Lottery Winners Since 2000: A Quiz

6 min read Post on May 13, 2025

NBA Draft Lottery Winners Since 2000: A Quiz

The Early 2000s: A Decade of Surprises and Setbacks

2000-2005 Lottery Winners and their Impact:

The early 2000s saw some surprising NBA Draft Lottery outcomes, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the NBA Draft and the impact of a top draft pick. The selection of a lottery pick can make or break a franchise's future, often defining the direction of the team for years.

2000: New Orleans Hornets (Baron Davis): While Davis became a fan favorite and a talented point guard, the Hornets struggled to build a consistent contender around him. This highlights the importance of surrounding even top lottery picks with complementary talent.
2001: Washington Wizards (Kwame Brown): Widely considered a draft bust, Brown's selection exemplifies the risks involved in the NBA Draft Lottery. The pressure on a top pick to perform immediately can be immense, sometimes leading to disappointment.
2002: Houston Rockets (Yao Ming): Yao Ming became a global superstar and a cornerstone of the Rockets' franchise, but injuries unfortunately limited his career. This illustrates how even lottery-winning teams can face unexpected challenges.
2003: Cleveland Cavaliers (LeBron James): LeBron James transformed the Cleveland Cavaliers, ushering in an era of unprecedented success and showcasing the transformative power of a generational talent. This selection is often cited as the ultimate example of a successful lottery pick.
2004: Orlando Magic (Dwight Howard): Dwight Howard became a dominant force in the league, showing the potential for a top lottery pick to become a franchise player. His success, however, was partly overshadowed by struggles to consistently make deep playoff runs.
2005: Milwaukee Bucks (Andrew Bogut): Bogut's time with the Bucks was marked by injury and inconsistency. This emphasizes the variability even within high lottery selections.

The early 2000s demonstrated that securing a top lottery pick doesn’t automatically guarantee success. Team building strategies, player development, and even luck play a significant role in translating a high draft pick into sustained team success. The pressure to select the right player and build around that talent is immense.

Mid-2000s to 2010: Building for the Future

2006-2010 Lottery Winners and Their Subsequent Seasons:

The mid-2000s saw teams focused on building for the future through the NBA Draft Lottery. The selection of a lottery pick became a critical step in developing a winning strategy.

2006: Toronto Raptors (Andrea Bargnani): While Bargnani possessed considerable talent, he didn't live up to the expectations of a number one overall pick. His struggles further highlighted the inherent risks associated with the NBA Draft Lottery.
2007: Portland Trail Blazers (Greg Oden): Oden’s career was tragically cut short due to recurring injuries. This underscores the significance of player health in achieving long-term success.
2008: Chicago Bulls (Derrick Rose): Rose's selection brought excitement to Chicago. Despite leading the Bulls to the playoffs and winning an MVP award, he too suffered from significant injuries that hampered his career.
2009: Los Angeles Clippers (Blake Griffin): Griffin became an exciting and popular player, but his team's overall success remained inconsistent. This period showcased the need for comprehensive team-building to maximize the impact of lottery picks.
2010: Washington Wizards (John Wall): Wall became a franchise cornerstone and demonstrated the potential for a number one pick to significantly influence a team's success for a long period.

The 2010s and Beyond: A New Generation of Stars

2011-2023 Lottery Winners and their Impact:

The 2010s and beyond saw a refined approach to drafting, with an increased emphasis on analytics, player development, and scouting future stars. The NBA Draft Lottery became even more critical, with teams utilizing advanced data to assess draft prospects and their long-term potential.

2011: Cleveland Cavaliers (Kyrie Irving): Irving brought exceptional talent to the Cavaliers.
2012: New Orleans Hornets (Anthony Davis): Davis became a dominant force.
2013: Cleveland Cavaliers (Anthony Bennett): Another example of a lottery pick that didn't quite live up to expectations. The need for thorough player evaluation remains crucial.
2014: Orlando Magic (Joel Embiid): Embiid, though initially injury-prone, later blossomed into one of the league's top players.
2015: Minnesota Timberwolves (Karl-Anthony Towns): Towns has become a consistent and highly skilled center.
2016: Philadelphia 76ers (Ben Simmons): Simmons has had a successful but somewhat controversial career.
2017: Boston Celtics (Markelle Fultz): Fultz's career trajectory has been unfortunately hindered by injuries.
2018: Phoenix Suns (DeAndre Ayton): Ayton became a key player for the Suns.
2019: New Orleans Pelicans (Zion Williamson): Williamson's career has shown remarkable scoring ability and also been challenged by injuries.
2020: Golden State Warriors (James Wiseman): Wiseman's NBA journey is still unfolding.
2021: Detroit Pistons (Cade Cunningham): Cunningham's career progression is yet to be fully realized.
2022: Orlando Magic (Paolo Banchero): Banchero has shown significant promise.
2023: Charlotte Hornets (Victor Wembanyama): Wembanyama's potential is vast, but it's too early to assess his ultimate impact.

The NBA Draft Lottery Quiz:

Which team won the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery? (a) Los Angeles Lakers (b) Cleveland Cavaliers (c) Detroit Pistons
Who was the number one overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft Lottery? (a) Kevin Durant (b) Greg Oden (c) Al Horford
Which team benefited most from winning the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery? (a) Minnesota Timberwolves (b) Cleveland Cavaliers (c) Washington Wizards
Who was selected first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery? (a) Ja Morant (b) Zion Williamson (c) RJ Barrett

(Answers: 1. b, 2. b, 3. b, 4. b)

Conclusion: How Well Do You Know Your NBA Draft Lottery History?

This quiz highlighted the unpredictable nature of the NBA Draft Lottery and the significant impact it can have on the future of NBA franchises. While a top lottery pick offers a chance to acquire a franchise-altering player, success is far from guaranteed. Careful scouting, effective player development, and smart team building are crucial to maximizing the potential of a high draft pick. From LeBron James to more recent selections, the lottery winners have shaped the NBA landscape in profound ways.

Who do you think was the best overall #1 pick from an NBA Draft Lottery since 2000? Let us know in the comments! Keep exploring the history of NBA Draft Lottery winners and their impact on the league. Learn more about the intricacies of player scouting and the strategies teams employ to build championship-caliber rosters.