NBA Draft Lottery History Quiz: Winners Since 2000

Natalie Brooks

5 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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

The early 2000s offered a mix of surprising outcomes and generational talents emerging from the NBA Draft Lottery. Let's revisit those pivotal years:

• 2000: The Washington Wizards won the lottery and selected Kwame Brown #1 overall. While Brown's NBA career didn't live up to the hype surrounding the NBA Draft Lottery 2000, his selection remains a significant moment in lottery history.

• 2001: The Washington Wizards again secured a top lottery pick, selecting Kwame Brown's future teammate, Gilbert Arenas. Though not the #1 overall pick, this selection significantly impacted the Wizards' trajectory.

• 2002: The Houston Rockets won the lottery and selected Yao Ming. Yao's arrival marked a significant shift in the Rockets' fortunes, and the NBA Draft Lottery 2002 is remembered for ushering in a global superstar.

• 2003: The Cleveland Cavaliers secured the #1 overall pick and selected LeBron James. This NBA Draft Lottery result is arguably the most impactful in the history of the lottery, propelling James to superstardom and changing the trajectory of the Cavaliers franchise. LeBron's immediate success stands in stark contrast to the struggles of other number one picks.

• 2004: The Orlando Magic won the lottery and chose Dwight Howard. Howard's athleticism and dominance in the paint defined his early career, highlighting the potential for lottery picks to transform a team's fortunes.

• 2005: The Milwaukee Bucks selected Andrew Bogut #1 overall. Bogut had a solid NBA career, though perhaps not reaching the heights initially anticipated after winning the NBA Draft Lottery 2005.

The Mid-2000s and the Rise of Stars (2006-2010):

The mid-2000s saw a continuation of the lottery's impact, but also showcased the unpredictable nature of the draft.

• 2006: The Toronto Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani. While Bargnani had moments of brilliance, he didn't quite live up to the expectations of a number one pick.

• 2007: The Portland Trail Blazers won the lottery and chose Greg Oden. Oden's career was tragically cut short due to injury, a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in relying on even the highest lottery picks. The NBA Draft Lottery odds didn't guarantee success.

• 2008: The Chicago Bulls selected Derrick Rose #1 overall. Rose's explosive athleticism and scoring ability made him an MVP and a fan favorite, showcasing the lottery's power to reshape a franchise.

• 2009: The Los Angeles Clippers won the lottery and drafted Blake Griffin. Griffin’s athleticism and dunking prowess made him an immediate fan favorite and an All-Star.

• 2010: The Washington Wizards secured John Wall with the #1 pick. Wall’s impact on the Wizards was immense, solidifying his legacy as one of the league's top point guards and a product of a successful NBA Draft Lottery selection.

The 2010s and Beyond (2011-2023): A Decade of Lottery Successes & Surprises

The 2010s and beyond have been a period of significant shifts in NBA draft strategy, with an increased focus on analytics and player development influencing lottery pick outcomes.

• 2011: Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 2012: Anthony Davis (New Orleans Hornets)
• 2013: Anthony Bennett (Cleveland Cavaliers) - A surprising and somewhat disappointing outcome.
• 2014: Andrew Wiggins (Cleveland Cavaliers) – Traded to Minnesota
• 2015: Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• 2016: Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
• 2017: Markelle Fultz (Philadelphia 76ers)
• 2018: DeAndre Ayton (Phoenix Suns)
• 2019: Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
• 2020: Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• 2021: Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
• 2022: Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
• 2023: Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)

The NBA Lottery history shows that even with the advanced analytics and scouting now commonplace, unpredictability remains a key factor. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ acquisition of several high lottery picks, such as Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, exemplifies the potential for significant team transformations through the draft lottery.

Analyzing Lottery Trends and Strategies

Analyzing the NBA Draft Lottery winners since 2000 reveals some interesting trends. While pure luck plays a significant role, some teams consistently find themselves in the lottery, hinting at the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of their long-term strategies. The debate between "tanking" (intentionally losing games to improve lottery odds) and competitive rebuilding remains a central theme in NBA management. Understanding the NBA draft strategy and NBA Draft Lottery odds is crucial for success. The frequency with which certain teams appear in the lottery suggests there is more to it than pure chance, but the high variance ensures that even the best-laid plans can be upended by luck.

Conclusion

The NBA Draft Lottery has profoundly impacted the league's landscape since 2000, shaping team rosters and launching the careers of numerous superstars. From LeBron James's immediate dominance to the surprising outcomes and injury setbacks that have defined other #1 picks, the lottery's history is a compelling blend of success, failure, and unpredictable twists. Understanding this NBA Lottery history is essential for fans and analysts alike. Test your NBA knowledge further! Take our NBA Draft Lottery History Quiz again, or explore more deep dives into NBA draft history on our site.