Quiz: NBA Draft Lottery Winners From 2000 To Today

Kenji Nakamura

4 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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

The early 2000s saw some significant NBA Draft Lottery outcomes, shaping the landscape of the league for years to come. The NBA Draft Lottery 2000s were a mix of surprising wins and expected successes. Let's revisit this era:

• 2000: The New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) won the lottery and selected Baron Davis. While Davis's career was exciting, the Hornets didn't immediately translate this lottery win into sustained success.
• 2001: The Washington Wizards secured the top pick and drafted Kwame Brown, a pick that is often cited as one of the most disappointing number one overall selections in NBA history. This highlights the risk and reward inherent in the NBA Draft Lottery.
• 2002: The Houston Rockets won, selecting Yao Ming. This was a landmark moment, as Yao brought immense international attention and success to the Rockets.
• 2003: The Cleveland Cavaliers won the lottery and selected LeBron James, arguably the greatest player of his generation, transforming the Cavaliers into a perennial contender and fundamentally changing the course of their franchise.
• 2004: The Orlando Magic won and selected Dwight Howard, a dominant center who became a key player for the franchise for many years.
• 2005: The Milwaukee Bucks won the lottery and selected Andrew Bogut, who had a solid but injury-plagued NBA career.

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The Mid-2000s: Analyzing the Middle Years of the Lottery (2006-2010)

The NBA Draft Lottery Winners 2006-2010 period provided a fascinating mix of outcomes, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the draft.

• 2006: The Toronto Raptors drafted Andrea Bargnani with the first pick. While talented, Bargnani didn't live up to the expectations of a number one overall pick.
• 2007: The Portland Trail Blazers selected Greg Oden, a highly touted center whose career was tragically cut short by injuries. This underscores the uncertainty involved in projecting a player's NBA success.
• 2008: The Chicago Bulls selected Derrick Rose, a dynamic point guard who became an MVP and franchise cornerstone. The Bulls had immediate success with Rose, although injuries hindered his longevity.
• 2009: The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Ricky Rubio, who showcased his unique skillset but faced injuries and team struggles.
• 2010: The Washington Wizards selected John Wall, becoming an immediate impact player, demonstrating how a high lottery pick can elevate a struggling franchise.

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The 2010s and Beyond: Recent NBA Draft Lottery Trends (2011-Present)

The NBA Draft Lottery Winners 2011-2023 and Recent NBA Draft Lottery Results show continuing volatility. Analyzing these recent years offers valuable insights into current NBA trends.

• 2011: Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 2012: Anthony Davis (New Orleans Hornets)
• 2013: Alex Len (Phoenix Suns)
• 2014: Andrew Wiggins (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 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)

Quiz Time! Test Your NBA Draft Lottery Knowledge

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How Well Do You Know the NBA Draft Lottery?

This quiz hopefully highlighted the crucial role the NBA Draft Lottery plays in shaping NBA teams. From LeBron James to Victor Wembanyama, the lottery has yielded both superstar talent and unpredictable results. Remember those early 2000s NBA Draft Lottery winners? Or the impact of the NBA Draft Lottery Winners 2006-2010? The history is rich with both triumph and disappointment.

Key takeaways? The NBA Draft Lottery is a high-stakes gamble, but the potential rewards can be game-changing. The unpredictable nature of the draft means even the top pick isn't a guaranteed success.

Share your NBA Draft Lottery quiz score on social media using #NBADraftLottery and #NBADraft and challenge your friends! Test your NBA Draft Lottery knowledge again soon! And be sure to check out our other NBA content for more insightful articles and analysis!