NBA Draft Lottery Winners Since 2000: A Challenging Quiz

Hugo van Dijk

6 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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The NBA Draft Lottery. The very words evoke images of nervous executives, hopeful fans, and the potential for franchise-altering decisions. Winning the lottery can mean the difference between years of struggle and the dawn of a new dynasty. But how well do you remember the teams that have secured the top pick since the turn of the millennium? This quiz will test your knowledge of NBA Draft Lottery winners since 2000 – a period filled with surprising outcomes and game-changing selections. Get ready to put your NBA expertise to the ultimate test! This article will cover the NBA Lottery, focusing on the NBA Draft Lottery winners.

The Early 2000s: A Decade of Surprises and Star Power

2000-2005 Lottery Winners and Their Impact

The early 2000s NBA Draft Lottery saw some unexpected winners and, in hindsight, questionable draft choices. Let's look back:

• 2000: Washington Wizards – Kwame Brown, the first high school player drafted #1 overall, became a symbol of the debate surrounding draft strategy and player development. His impact on the Wizards, ultimately, was limited, highlighting the inherent risk in top draft picks. This NBA Draft Lottery selection exemplifies the unpredictable nature of the process.
• 2001: Washington Wizards – With the #1 pick, they chose Gilbert Arenas. While Arenas brought excitement and scoring prowess to the Wizards, his career was marked by inconsistency and injuries.
• 2002: Memphis Grizzlies – Darko Miličić, selected ahead of Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, is now a notorious example of a lottery bust. The Grizzlies' 2002 NBA Draft Lottery win did not translate into immediate success.
• 2003: Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron James. Need we say more? This NBA Draft Lottery win changed the franchise and the city of Cleveland forever.
• 2004: Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard. A dominant center in his prime, Howard provided years of strong performances for the Magic. The Orlando Magic's NBA Draft Lottery success proved transformative.
• 2005: Milwaukee Bucks – Andrew Bogut. While a solid player, Bogut didn't quite live up to the expectations of a #1 overall pick.

Analyzing the early 2000s lottery trends: high picks vs. team success.

The early 2000s illustrated a lack of strong correlation between winning the NBA Draft Lottery and immediate team success. While some teams like the Cavaliers found generational talent, others struggled to translate top picks into sustained playoff contention. The success of a lottery pick is reliant on various factors – player development, coaching, team chemistry, and even a degree of luck. The early 2000s NBA Draft Lottery winners show just how complex the pathway to sustained success can be.

The Mid-2000s: Building for the Future

2006-2010 Lottery Winners and Their Impact

The mid-2000s continued the trend of high-stakes lottery selections with mixed results.

• 2006: Toronto Raptors – Andrea Bargnani. A skilled scorer, Bargnani never quite fulfilled his potential. His selection is often cited as an example of a high pick not leading to long-term success. The Toronto Raptors' 2006 NBA Draft Lottery win yielded less than anticipated.
• 2007: Portland Trail Blazers – Greg Oden. A highly touted center, Oden's career was tragically cut short by injuries. This high pick in the NBA Draft Lottery was a crushing blow for the Portland franchise.
• 2008: Chicago Bulls – Derrick Rose. A phenomenal player, Rose's career was also hampered by injuries. Despite this, he led the Bulls to the playoffs and was an MVP. This NBA Lottery win brought brief but intense excitement to the Bulls.
• 2009: Minnesota Timberwolves – Ricky Rubio. A talented playmaker, Rubio established himself as a valuable contributor to the Timberwolves. The Minnesota Timberwolves leveraged this NBA Draft Lottery win into solid improvements.
• 2010: Washington Wizards – John Wall. Wall became a franchise cornerstone for the Wizards, showcasing his skills for many years. This NBA Draft Lottery selection finally brought prolonged success for the Wizards.

The 2010s and Beyond: A New Generation of Stars

2011-2023 Lottery Winners and Their Impact

The 2010s and beyond saw a surge in the impact of "tanking" strategies on NBA Draft Lottery outcomes. Teams intentionally losing games to increase their chances of a high draft pick became more common, and this period brought incredible star power to several teams.

• 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers got another superstar in this NBA Lottery.
• 2012: New Orleans Hornets – Anthony Davis. Davis became an all-star for the Pelicans/Hornets. This NBA Draft Lottery pick was pivotal for the franchise's future.
• 2013: Cleveland Cavaliers – Anthony Bennett. A notable bust, highlighting the risk involved in the NBA Draft Lottery even with high picks.
• 2014: Philadelphia 76ers – Joel Embiid. Embiid developed into a dominant force in the NBA, completely turning around the 76ers' fortunes. The Philadelphia 76ers leveraged their NBA Draft Lottery selection successfully.
• 2015: Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns proved to be a very successful pick in this NBA Draft Lottery.
• 2016: Philadelphia 76ers – Ben Simmons. A talented player with unique skillsets, Simmons’ career hasn't matched early expectations.
• 2017: Boston Celtics – Markelle Fultz. The selection of Fultz is widely considered a significant miss.
• 2018: Phoenix Suns – DeAndre Ayton. A high-potential center who became a key player for the Suns. This NBA Draft Lottery pick became crucial for the Suns' success.
• 2019: New Orleans Pelicans – Zion Williamson. A game-changing athlete, Williamson's career trajectory, however, has been complicated by injuries. The New Orleans Pelicans had high hopes for this NBA Draft Lottery pick.
• 2020: Minnesota Timberwolves – Anthony Edwards. A rising star, Edwards brought an immediate scoring boost to the Timberwolves.
• 2021: Detroit Pistons – Cade Cunningham. The Detroit Pistons had high hopes for their lottery selection in this NBA Draft Lottery.
• 2022: Orlando Magic – Paolo Banchero. The Orlando Magic aimed for a high-potential player in this NBA Draft Lottery.
• 2023: San Antonio Spurs – Victor Wembanyama. The hype surrounding Wembanyama is immense, making this NBA Draft Lottery outcome highly anticipated.

Conclusion: How Well Did You Do? Take the NBA Draft Lottery Challenge Again!

This quiz highlights the unpredictable nature of the NBA Draft Lottery. Winning the top pick is no guarantee of immediate success, as factors beyond the draft pick itself significantly influence a team's fortunes. However, securing a high pick offers a crucial opportunity for rebuilding franchises to acquire cornerstone players that can catalyze long-term growth. The impact of these NBA Draft Lottery winners – both successes and disappointments – continues to shape the league’s landscape.

How many NBA Draft Lottery winners did you correctly identify? Share your score with your friends and challenge them to test their own NBA knowledge! Revisit this article to refresh your memory and further explore the fascinating history of the NBA Draft Lottery. You can also find additional information on NBA draft history and analysis through various online resources. Keep testing your knowledge of NBA Draft Lottery Winners!