NBA Draft Lottery Winners Since 2000: Trivia Quiz Challenge

Kenji Nakamura

5 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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

The early 2000s saw some significant shifts in the NBA landscape, largely influenced by the NBA Draft Lottery results. Several franchises were transformed by their lucky breaks, securing future franchise players and setting the stage for years of success (or, in some cases, further rebuilding).

• 2000: New Orleans Hornets – Selected Baron Davis. This pick ignited a period of excitement for the Hornets, though they didn’t reach the ultimate heights.
• 2001: Washington Wizards – Selected Kwame Brown. While Brown didn’t reach his full potential, the lottery win initiated a period of hope for the Wizards.
• 2002: Houston Rockets – Selected Yao Ming. Yao Ming became a global icon and transformed the Rockets franchise, attracting fans and boosting the team's profile.
• 2003: Cleveland Cavaliers – Selected LeBron James. This pick needs no introduction. LeBron's arrival ushered in an era of unprecedented success for the Cavaliers. He also selected two-time all star Kyrie Irving in the 2011 NBA Draft.
• 2004: Charlotte Bobcats – Selected Emeka Okafor. Okafor provided a solid foundation for the newly formed Bobcats franchise.
• 2005: Milwaukee Bucks – Selected Andrew Bogut. Bogut was a solid center, but the Bucks faced challenges in building a consistent contender around him.

The impact of these draft picks rippled through the league, showcasing the transformative power of a high NBA Lottery selection. The future prospects of these franchises were dramatically altered, highlighting the importance of these high draft picks in securing a successful franchise future. Even beyond the number one pick, several notable players were selected in these drafts, further highlighting the importance of the draft.

Mid-2000s Lottery Winners and Their Impact (2006-2010)

The mid-2000s continued to demonstrate the unpredictable nature of the NBA Draft Lottery. While some teams capitalized on their good fortune, others faced ongoing struggles despite securing high draft picks.

• 2006: Toronto Raptors – Selected Andrea Bargnani. Bargnani’s career didn't quite live up to the expectations placed upon him as a number one overall pick.
• 2007: Portland Trail Blazers – Selected Greg Oden. Sadly, Oden's career was tragically cut short by injuries.
• 2008: Chicago Bulls – Selected Derrick Rose. Rose's exceptional talent shone brightly, though injuries later hampered his career trajectory.
• 2009: Minnesota Timberwolves – Selected Ricky Rubio. Rubio's passing skills made him a fan favorite, but the Timberwolves struggled for sustained success during this period.
• 2010: Washington Wizards – Selected John Wall. Wall's athleticism and scoring ability provided a foundation for the Wizards, but consistent playoff success proved elusive.

This era showed that securing a top draft pick doesn't guarantee immediate success. Factors like player development, team chemistry, and overall franchise management all play crucial roles. The surprises and disappointments of this period added to the drama and intrigue surrounding the NBA Lottery.

The 2010s: A Decade of Lottery Successes and Setbacks (2011-2015)

The 2010s witnessed a shift in the NBA landscape, with the rise of "tanking" – intentionally losing games to improve lottery odds. This strategy intensified the focus on the NBA Draft Lottery, making the annual event even more consequential.

• 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers – Selected Kyrie Irving. Irving's skills immediately made him a key player.
• 2012: New Orleans Hornets – Selected Anthony Davis. Davis became a franchise cornerstone, a dominant force in the league.
• 2013: Cleveland Cavaliers – Selected Anthony Bennett. A cautionary tale of a high draft pick not quite meeting expectations.
• 2014: Cleveland Cavaliers – Selected Andrew Wiggins (traded for Kevin Love). This pick ultimately played a significant role in helping Cleveland bring home NBA Championships.
• 2015: Minnesota Timberwolves – Selected Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns has become a consistent all-star for the Timberwolves.

The increasing importance of high draft picks during the 2010s brought intense competition for positions in the NBA Draft Lottery, highlighting the significance of each pick and the ongoing debate regarding "tanking" strategies.

Recent NBA Draft Lottery Winners (2016-2023) & Analysis

The recent years have seen a continuation of the trends established in previous decades. The NBA Draft Lottery continues to significantly influence team building strategies, with teams vying for the chance to select potentially franchise-altering players.

• 2016: Philadelphia 76ers – Selected Ben Simmons.
• 2017: Boston Celtics – Selected Markelle Fultz (traded).
• 2018: Phoenix Suns – Selected Deandre Ayton.
• 2019: New Orleans Pelicans – Selected Zion Williamson.
• 2020: Golden State Warriors – Selected James Wiseman.
• 2021: Detroit Pistons – Selected Cade Cunningham.
• 2022: Orlando Magic – Selected Paolo Banchero.
• 2023: Charlotte Hornets – Selected Brandon Miller.

Analyzing the success rate of these recent lottery winners reveals a mixed bag. Some selections have lived up to the hype, transforming their franchises, while others have faced challenges, highlighting the unpredictability inherent in the draft. The rules of the NBA Draft Lottery, designed to give the worst teams a better chance at the top pick, remain largely the same, ensuring the lottery remains a hotly anticipated event.

NBA Draft Lottery Trivia Quiz!

Now it's time to test your knowledge! How many of these NBA Draft Lottery Winners can you correctly identify?

(Insert Multiple Choice Quiz Here with Images/Logos)

Sharpen Your NBA Draft Lottery Knowledge!

This article explored the history of NBA Draft Lottery winners since 2000, highlighting the impact of these selections on various franchises. The lottery's role in shaping team futures is undeniable, influencing rebuilds, setting the stage for contention, and, at times, resulting in unexpected outcomes. Remember those surprising wins, the unexpected draft choices, and the lasting impact of some of those number one picks!

Share your quiz score with your friends and challenge them to test their knowledge of NBA Draft Lottery Winners! Come back and revisit the article to brush up on your NBA history before taking the quiz again. Share this article on social media using the hashtag #NBADraftLotteryTrivia!