How Well Do You Know The NBA Draft Lottery Winners Since 2000?

Henrik Larsen

6 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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The Early 2000s: A Look Back at Lottery Winners (2000-2005)

The early 2000s offered a fascinating glimpse into the impact of the NBA Draft Lottery. While not every #1 pick became a superstar, these selections significantly shaped the direction of various franchises. The NBA Draft Lottery results from this period laid the foundation for future success (or struggles) for many teams.

• 2000: New Orleans Hornets – Kwame Brown. Brown's NBA career never lived up to the hype of being the #1 pick, highlighting the inherent risk in the NBA lottery.
• 2001: Washington Wizards – Kwame Brown. The Wizards were hoping to find their franchise cornerstone in this lottery pick. This selection ultimately did not deliver on this hope.
• 2002: Houston Rockets – Yao Ming. Yao Ming's arrival marked a turning point for the Rockets and showcased the global impact of the NBA Draft Lottery. The international prospect was a huge success.
• 2003: Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron James. This pick changed the trajectory of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise and the NBA itself. James’ impact can be considered monumental.
• 2004: Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard. Howard became a dominant force in the league and a cornerstone of the Magic franchise for many years.
• 2005: Milwaukee Bucks – Andrew Bogut. Bogut was a solid player in the league, but the Bucks failed to surround him with a stellar supporting cast.

The early 2000s NBA Draft Lottery showed the potential for both success and disappointment. The results underscored the importance of player development and team-building strategies alongside the lottery win itself. The impact of these top draft picks varied widely, reminding us that the NBA lottery is just the starting point of a long journey for both players and teams.

The Mid-2000s: Building Franchises Through the Lottery (2006-2010)

The mid-2000s saw several franchises actively rebuilding their teams around NBA lottery picks. The NBA lottery picks impact during this era heavily shaped the league's competitive balance, as teams successfully used their high draft picks to build a stronger foundation for future success. The impact of the NBA lottery results became clearer during this period.

• 2006: Toronto Raptors – Andrea Bargnani. While Bargnani showed flashes of talent, he wasn’t the franchise player Toronto hoped for.
• 2007: Portland Trail Blazers – Greg Oden. Oden's injury-plagued career is a cautionary tale in the unpredictable nature of the NBA lottery and the importance of player health.
• 2008: Chicago Bulls – Derrick Rose. Rose became an MVP and a fan favorite, representing a high point for the Bulls during this rebuild era.
• 2009: Los Angeles Clippers – Blake Griffin. Griffin revitalized the Clippers franchise and became one of the league’s most exciting power forwards.
• 2010: Washington Wizards – John Wall. Wall became the face of the Wizards franchise, leading the team for years.

This period showcased that franchise rebuilding through the NBA lottery picks could indeed be effective but wasn’t a guarantee of immediate success. Factors such as player development, coaching, and overall team chemistry played a crucial role in translating a high draft pick into sustained on-court success.

The Rise of Superstars: Lottery Winners and Top Draft Picks (2011-2015)

The period from 2011-2015 saw the rise of several superstars who were selected through the NBA Draft Lottery. This era highlighted the NBA lottery’s ability to dramatically change the league's landscape. The NBA lottery results directly impacted these superstars’ careers and the franchises that selected them.

• 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving. Irving proved to be a key piece for the Cavaliers, playing a vital role in their championship run.
• 2012: New Orleans Hornets – Anthony Davis. Davis became a dominant force in the league, consistently putting up impressive numbers.
• 2013: Cleveland Cavaliers – Anthony Bennett. Bennett's career was unfortunately short-lived and didn't live up to expectations.
• 2014: Orlando Magic – Aaron Gordon. Gordon has had a long and impactful career, consistently providing energy for his teams.
• 2015: Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns has established himself as a cornerstone of the Timberwolves franchise.

This era underscored the importance of the NBA Draft Lottery in shaping the league’s competitive landscape. The arrival of these superstar talents dramatically altered the fortunes of their respective franchises.

Recent Lottery Winners and Their Impact (2016-2023)

The recent NBA Draft Lottery winners have continued the trend of shaping the future of various franchises, leading to exciting possibilities for their teams. The NBA lottery results are constantly changing the league's dynamics.

• 2016: Philadelphia 76ers – Ben Simmons. Simmons showed great potential but faced challenges in his NBA career.
• 2017: Boston Celtics – Markelle Fultz. Fultz's career was hampered by injuries and inconsistency.
• 2018: Phoenix Suns – Deandre Ayton. Ayton has become a key player for the Suns, contributing significantly to their success.
• 2019: New Orleans Pelicans – Zion Williamson. Williamson's explosive athleticism has made him a fan favorite and a potential superstar.
• 2020: Golden State Warriors – James Wiseman. Wiseman's career has been impacted by injuries, limiting his time on the court.
• 2021: Detroit Pistons – Cade Cunningham. Cunningham has shown promise as a future cornerstone for the Pistons.
• 2022: Orlando Magic – Paolo Banchero. Banchero was an immediate impact player for the Magic.
• 2023: Charlotte Hornets - Victor Wembanyama. The highly touted prospect is still developing.

Analyzing recent trends, the NBA Draft Lottery continues to be a pivotal moment for franchises, offering the chance to acquire players who can define a team’s future. The success of these recent #1 picks is still unfolding, making this an exciting time to follow the NBA.

Conclusion: How Well Did You Do? Test Your NBA Draft Lottery Knowledge

From the surprising selection of Kwame Brown to the arrival of LeBron James and other superstars, the NBA Draft Lottery has profoundly impacted the league. The analysis of winners across the years reveals that while the lottery offers a chance to acquire top talent, player development, team building, and even luck play significant roles in turning a high draft pick into sustained success. The impact of the NBA lottery is undeniable.

How many NBA Draft Lottery winners did you correctly identify? Share your score and challenge your friends to test their knowledge of NBA Draft Lottery winners! Use #NBADraftLotteryChallenge to share your results and see how you compare. Further research into specific players or years will provide deeper insights into the intriguing history of the NBA Draft Lottery and its continuing influence on the league. Keep up with future NBA lottery announcements and the ongoing impact of these critical picks.