NBA Draft Lottery: Test Your Knowledge Of Winners Since 2000

6 min read Post on May 13, 2025

NBA Draft Lottery: Test Your Knowledge Of Winners Since 2000

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

The turn of the millennium saw some significant lottery outcomes that shaped the NBA landscape for years to come. While not every #1 pick became a superstar, the impact of these selections was undeniable.

2000: The New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) selected Kwame Brown. While Brown's career didn't live up to the hype, it's a reminder that the lottery is just the first step.
2001: The Washington Wizards selected Kwame Brown. While he didn't meet expectations, it demonstrates that the lottery pick isn't a guaranteed superstar.
2002: The Houston Rockets selected Yao Ming. Yao Ming's impact on the Rockets and the NBA was significant, demonstrating the potential impact of a successful lottery pick. This win highlights the international reach of the draft and its impact on global basketball.
2003: The Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James. This is arguably the most impactful lottery pick in NBA history. The impact of LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers, and basketball as a whole, is well documented. Keywords: 2003 NBA Draft Lottery winner, LeBron James NBA Draft impact.
2004: The Orlando Magic selected Dwight Howard. Howard's early years in Orlando saw him dominate, showcasing the importance of finding a franchise center. Keywords: Dwight Howard NBA Draft, Orlando Magic Lottery Pick.
2005: The Milwaukee Bucks selected Andrew Bogut. Bogut's career, while not always flashy, showcases the different paths a lottery pick can take.

The Mid-2000s: Surprises and Expected Outcomes (2006-2010)

This era provided some unexpected twists and turns in the NBA Draft Lottery, with both surprising successes and disappointing outcomes.

2006: The Toronto Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani. While Bargnani showed flashes of talent, he didn't quite live up to the expectations of a #1 overall pick. Keywords: Andrea Bargnani NBA Draft, underperforming lottery picks.
2007: The Portland Trail Blazers, after trading their pick, saw the Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder) select Kevin Durant. This selection became one of the most impactful lottery picks of the decade, transforming the Thunder franchise and cementing Durant's status as a legend.
2008: The Chicago Bulls selected Derrick Rose. Rose's early career was electrifying, showing the potential of a high lottery pick to change a team's trajectory. However, injuries sadly shortened his prime. Keywords: Derrick Rose NBA Draft, NBA Draft Lottery surprises.
2009: The Los Angeles Clippers selected Blake Griffin. Griffin's high-flying style immediately electrified the Clippers, making him a fan favorite and showcasing the excitement lottery picks can generate.
2010: The Washington Wizards selected John Wall. Wall became a franchise cornerstone for the Wizards, transforming the team with his athleticism and playmaking.

The 2010s and Beyond: A New Era of Lottery Success (2011-2023)

The past decade has seen a mix of high-profile selections and players who have quietly become valuable contributors to their teams.

2011: The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Kyrie Irving. Irving's talent and scoring ability made an immediate impact, becoming another high-profile talent for the Cavaliers. Keywords: Kyrie Irving NBA Draft, recent NBA Draft Lottery winners.
2012: The New Orleans Hornets selected Anthony Davis. Davis's defensive prowess and scoring ability solidified him as a top player in the league.
2013: The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett. This selection highlights that not every top pick translates into a superstar. Keywords: Anthony Bennett NBA Draft.
2014: The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins is a testament to the need for a supportive team structure around a lottery pick.
2015: The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns' consistent skill and leadership showcase the value of a well-rounded lottery pick.
2016: The Philadelphia 76ers selected Ben Simmons. While his career hasn't followed the expected path for a #1 pick, he still shows the potential for lottery picks to change franchise direction. Keywords: Ben Simmons draft impact.
2017: The Boston Celtics selected Markelle Fultz. Similar to other examples, Fultz's career highlights the complexities of player development and factors beyond draft position.
2018: The Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton. Ayton's career so far has demonstrated the importance of consistent hard work in realizing full potential as a lottery pick.
2019: The New Orleans Pelicans selected Zion Williamson. Williamson's dominance showcases the impact of a once-in-a-generation athlete and a highly successful pick. Keywords: Zion Williamson draft impact.
2020: The Golden State Warriors selected James Wiseman. Wiseman's career is still developing, demonstrating the need for consistent growth and patience with lottery picks.
2021: The Detroit Pistons selected Cade Cunningham. Cunningham's NBA journey is just beginning, showing the long-term perspective needed to evaluate lottery picks.
2022: The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero. Banchero's rookie season demonstrated potential to become a key franchise player.
2023: The San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama's status as a generational player makes him a highly anticipated lottery pick. Keywords: Victor Wembanyama NBA draft.

Quiz Time: Test Your NBA Draft Lottery Knowledge!

Now it's your turn! How well do you remember the NBA Draft Lottery winners since 2000?

Who did the Cleveland Cavaliers select with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft? a) Carmelo Anthony b) LeBron James c) Dwight Howard d) Chris Bosh
Which team selected Kevin Durant in 2007? a) Seattle SuperSonics (now OKC Thunder) b) Portland Trail Blazers c) Los Angeles Clippers d) Chicago Bulls
In what year did the Orlando Magic select Dwight Howard? a) 2003 b) 2004 c) 2005 d) 2006
Which team selected Zion Williamson in 2019? a) Charlotte Hornets b) New Orleans Pelicans c) Memphis Grizzlies d) Atlanta Hawks

(Answers at the end of the article)

Analyzing the Lottery's Impact: Trends and Predictions

Analyzing the NBA Draft Lottery's impact reveals fascinating trends. While a high pick increases the odds of landing a star, player development, coaching, and team fit play crucial roles. Luck, undeniably, is a factor. Some lottery winners become superstars, others become role players, and some unfortunately struggle to find their footing in the NBA. This unpredictability is part of what makes the NBA Draft Lottery so captivating. Keywords: NBA Draft Lottery analysis, NBA Draft Lottery trends, successful NBA lottery picks.

Conclusion: Mastering the NBA Draft Lottery: A Continuing Challenge

The NBA Draft Lottery has undeniably shaped the league's landscape since 2000. From LeBron James's transformative impact to surprising underperformers, the lottery remains a source of excitement, anticipation, and, ultimately, unpredictable outcomes. Mastering the NBA Draft Lottery is a continuous challenge—a blend of scouting, strategy, and a touch of luck.

Quiz Answers: 1. b) LeBron James 2. a) Seattle SuperSonics (now OKC Thunder) 3. b) 2004 4. b) New Orleans Pelicans

Share your NBA Draft Lottery quiz results and let us know which winners surprised you the most! Discuss your knowledge of NBA Draft Lottery winners and your predictions for the upcoming draft lottery. Let the debate begin!