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

Kenji Nakamura

7 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

4.4

Share

A Year-by-Year Breakdown of NBA Draft Lottery Winners (2000-2023):

The 2000s:

The 2000s witnessed some defining moments in the NBA Draft Lottery. The results dramatically altered the landscape of several franchises.

• 2000 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: New Orleans Hornets; #1 Pick: Kwame Brown. Brown, despite being the #1 overall pick, never quite lived up to the hype, showcasing the inherent risks in the draft lottery.
• 2001 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Washington Wizards; #1 Pick: Kwame Brown. This selection, though not strictly a lottery win, was a notable one, influencing team dynamics and decisions.
• 2003 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers; #1 Pick: LeBron James. A transformative moment, this pick launched an era of unprecedented success for Cleveland and changed the course of the franchise.
• 2004 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Utah Jazz. This event didn't lead to a top pick, but did contribute to the team's reconstruction and future roster.
• 2005 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Milwaukee Bucks; #1 Pick: Andrew Bogut. While Bogut had a solid NBA career, he didn't become the franchise cornerstone some hoped for following this 2005 NBA Draft Lottery win.
• 2006 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Toronto Raptors; #1 pick: Andrea Bargnani. A classic example of how even a top pick can struggle to match expectations.
• 2007 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Portland Trail Blazers; #1 Pick: Greg Oden. Oden's injury-plagued career is a cautionary tale of the unpredictability involved in the NBA Draft, regardless of the lottery win.
• 2008 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Chicago Bulls; #1 Pick: Derrick Rose. Rose's electrifying early career highlighted the potential for high lottery picks to become superstars but also tragically illustrated the fragility of athletic careers.
• 2009 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Minnesota Timberwolves; #1 Pick: Ricky Rubio. This marked a key moment in the Timberwolves' rebuilding efforts, bringing in a talented young player.

The 2010s:

The 2010s continued the trend of unpredictable results and significant impacts on franchise success.

• 2010 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Washington Wizards; #1 Pick: John Wall. Wall became a franchise player for the Wizards, representing a successful outcome from a high lottery pick.
• 2011 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers; #1 Pick: Kyrie Irving. Irving's skills added a key element to the Cleveland Cavaliers' efforts to return to prominence.
• 2012 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: New Orleans Hornets; #1 Pick: Anthony Davis. The acquisition of Anthony Davis proved transformative for the Pelicans, showcasing the potential for the Lottery to directly change a franchise’s direction.
• 2013 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers; #1 Pick: Anthony Bennett. This pick demonstrates the risk of even a top pick not achieving expectations, highlighting the complex factors behind a successful NBA Draft selection.
• 2014 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers (again); #1 Pick: Andrew Wiggins. While Wiggins had a successful NBA career, he became a prime example of the “bust” potential associated with high draft picks.
• 2015 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Minnesota Timberwolves; #1 Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns solidified his position as a franchise-altering player, a success story originating from a high NBA Draft Lottery pick.
• 2016 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Philadelphia 76ers; #1 Pick: Ben Simmons. Simmons represents another example of a lottery pick that had a strong initial impact but did not quite meet the initially projected heights.
• 2017 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Boston Celtics; #1 Pick: Markelle Fultz. Fultz's career trajectory serves as a stark reminder that the lottery doesn't guarantee success and highlights the numerous factors in play.
• 2018 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Phoenix Suns; #1 Pick: Deandre Ayton. Ayton became a crucial part of the Phoenix Suns’ revival, demonstrating the potential for a positive outcome stemming from a high lottery position.
• 2019 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: New Orleans Pelicans; #1 Pick: Zion Williamson. While showcasing incredible talent, Williamson's injury history underscores the unpredictability in projecting long-term success even for top lottery picks.

The 2020s:

The 2020s have already seen some significant changes in the NBA landscape, influenced by recent lottery results.

• 2020 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Golden State Warriors; #1 Pick: James Wiseman. Wiseman’s NBA career has had a slower start than anticipated, reminding us of the inherent unpredictability of the draft.
• 2021 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Detroit Pistons; #1 Pick: Cade Cunningham. Cunningham demonstrates the hope and potential linked to top lottery picks, although his career is still developing.
• 2022 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Orlando Magic; #1 Pick: Paolo Banchero. Banchero’s rookie season showcased high potential and provided immediate success, representing a more positive outcome of a high lottery pick.
• 2023 NBA Draft Lottery: Winner: Charlotte Hornets; #1 Pick: Victor Wembanyama. The hype surrounding Wembanyama is immense and is indicative of how a lottery pick can immediately reshape franchise hopes and plans.

Analyzing the Success Rate of Lottery Winners:

The Impact of the #1 Pick:

Winning the #1 overall pick doesn't guarantee NBA championship success. While landing a potential superstar is significant, factors such as coaching, team chemistry, player development, and overall team management play crucial roles. The careers of players like Kwame Brown and Anthony Bennett, despite being top picks, showcase this reality. Conversely, players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis transformed their teams, proving the potential for high lottery selections.

The Importance of Lottery Position:

The value of a high lottery pick is undeniable, offering a higher probability of selecting an elite player. However, the difference between the #1 pick and the #3 pick, for example, isn't always as vast as assumed. Lower lottery picks still present opportunities to draft high-impact players, and the team's overall strategy significantly affects long-term success. Drafting skill and effective team building are paramount, regardless of lottery position.

Memorable Moments and Surprises in the NBA Draft Lottery Since 2000:

Several NBA Draft Lotteries since 2000 stand out for their surprising outcomes or dramatic impact. The 2003 lottery, with the Cavaliers winning the right to draft LeBron James, remains a legendary moment. Conversely, the selection of Kwame Brown in 2001, while not a lottery winner, represents a high-profile example of how even a top pick can fail to meet expectations. The consistent success of some teams in the lottery (like the Cavaliers in the early 2010s) is also noteworthy and speaks volumes about their ability to navigate the draft successfully. Other unexpected outcomes and significant turns of events provide much fodder for analysis and discussion. These moments highlight both the high-stakes drama and the unpredictable nature of the lottery itself.

Conclusion:

The NBA Draft Lottery remains a crucial event, profoundly influencing the future direction of franchises. From the transformative selection of LeBron James to the surprising outcomes involving less successful picks, the lottery's impact is undeniable. Winning the lottery doesn't guarantee instant success; however, it drastically increases the chances of adding elite talent to a roster. Remember the unpredictable nature of player development and the importance of holistic team management. How well did you fare in this test of your knowledge of NBA Draft Lottery Winners Since 2000? Challenge your friends and delve deeper into the history of the draft! Visit NBA.com for more information and statistics.