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

6 min read Post on May 13, 2025

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

The Early 2000s: A Look Back at Lottery Winners and Their Impact

The early 2000s saw some significant NBA draft lottery winners who dramatically shaped the league's trajectory. Let's revisit this era and assess the impact of these selections.

2000: The New Orleans Hornets (then in Vancouver) won the lottery and selected Baron Davis, a dynamic point guard who energized the franchise but ultimately couldn't lead them to sustained success.
2001: The Washington Wizards secured the top pick and drafted Kwame Brown, a selection widely considered a bust, highlighting the inherent risk in the lottery.
2002: The Houston Rockets selected Yao Ming, a transformative player who brought international attention to the NBA and significantly impacted the franchise's popularity. His impact extended far beyond the court.
2003: The Cleveland Cavaliers won the lottery and drafted LeBron James, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. This pick not only revitalized the Cavaliers but redefined the entire NBA landscape. LeBron's MVP awards, championships, and Finals appearances are a testament to this pivotal draft selection.
2004: The Orlando Magic selected Dwight Howard, a dominant center who became a perennial All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year. His athleticism and defensive prowess defined an era.

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The Mid-2000s and the Rise of Superstars

The mid-2000s continued the trend of lottery picks shaping the league's future. Let's analyze these selections and their long-term consequences.

2005: The Milwaukee Bucks selected Andrew Bogut, a talented center who, while never reaching his full potential due to injuries, still had a respectable NBA career.
2006: The Toronto Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani, a pick that is often cited as one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the NBA draft lottery.
2007: The Portland Trail Blazers drafted Greg Oden, a highly touted center whose career was tragically cut short due to repeated injuries. His potential was immense, making his story a cautionary tale.
2008: The Chicago Bulls selected Derrick Rose, a dynamic point guard who won an MVP award but also suffered devastating injuries that hampered his career's trajectory.
2009: The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Ricky Rubio, a talented but injury-prone point guard, highlighting the challenges of evaluating international talent in the NBA Draft Lottery.

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The 2010s: A Decade of High-Profile Picks and Franchise-Altering Selections

The 2010s delivered a wealth of talent through the NBA draft lottery. Let's examine the successes and setbacks of this decade’s picks.

2010: The Washington Wizards drafted John Wall, a talented point guard who became a franchise cornerstone but whose career was ultimately limited by injuries.
2011: The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Kyrie Irving, a skillful and prolific point guard who became an NBA champion and established himself as one of the game's elite players.
2012: The New Orleans Hornets drafted Anthony Davis, a dominant power forward and one of the most skilled defensive players of his era. He became the face of the franchise, albeit briefly.
2013: The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Anthony Bennett, another notable lottery bust, emphasizing the unpredictability inherent in the draft.
2014: The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Andrew Wiggins, a talented wing player whose career, while successful, hasn't reached the heights initially predicted.
2015: The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Karl-Anthony Towns, a skilled and dominant center who has consistently performed at an All-Star level, securing his place among the elite players of the league.
2016: The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Ben Simmons, a unique talent whose career trajectory has been complex, marked both by success and controversy.
2017: The Boston Celtics drafted Markelle Fultz, another high lottery pick that didn't reach their expected potential.
2018: The Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton, a promising center who has demonstrated consistent improvement over the past years.
2019: The New Orleans Pelicans drafted Zion Williamson, a once-in-a-generation athletic talent whose career has been unfortunately impacted by injuries, showcasing the unpredictable elements that can impact a player's career success.

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The 2020s: Recent Lottery Winners and Future Stars

The 2020s have already witnessed some significant NBA draft lottery selections. Let’s analyze these players and their early impact.

2020: The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards, a scoring guard who quickly established himself as a pivotal player.
2021: The Detroit Pistons drafted Cade Cunningham, a promising point guard with exceptional all-around skills. His future is yet to fully unfold.
2022: The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero, a skilled forward who showcased incredible potential in his rookie season, and the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Chet Holmgren, whose rookie season was sadly cut short by injury.

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Quiz Time: Test Your NBA Draft Lottery Knowledge!

Who was the #1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft?
Which team drafted Anthony Davis?
Name one significant bust from the 2010s NBA Draft Lottery.
Who was the #1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft?

Conclusion

This journey through the NBA Draft Lottery winners since 2000 highlights the unpredictable nature of the draft and the significant impact high lottery picks can have on franchise success. From generational talents like LeBron James and Anthony Davis to surprising busts, the lottery has continuously shaped the NBA landscape. Some picks become hall-of-famers, and others fade into obscurity, reminding us of the inherent risks and rewards involved.

How well did you do on the quiz? Test your knowledge again by revisiting our analysis of NBA draft lottery winners since 2000. Share your score and challenge your friends to see who's the ultimate NBA draft expert!