NBA Draft Lottery Winners Since 2000: A Comprehensive Quiz

Luna Greco

4 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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The Early 2000s: A Decade of Surprises and Setbacks

The early 2000s offered a mixed bag of lottery results, showcasing both the potential for transformative success and the harsh reality of unpredictable player development. Winning the lottery didn't guarantee immediate success, as several teams learned the hard way. This period saw some surprising winners and some significant misses in terms of long-term impact.

• 2000 NBA Draft: The New Orleans Hornets (then the Vancouver Grizzlies) won the lottery and selected Kwame Brown, a decision that remains a point of discussion even today.
• 2001 NBA Draft: The Washington Wizards selected Kwame Brown.
• 2002 NBA Draft: The Houston Rockets drafted Yao Ming.
• 2003 NBA Draft: The Cleveland Cavaliers won the lottery and selected LeBron James, changing the trajectory of the franchise for years to come and proving just how much can be changed by drafting a true superstar.
• 2004 NBA Draft: The Utah Jazz drafted Deron Williams.
• 2005 NBA Draft: The Milwaukee Bucks selected Andrew Bogut.
• 2006 NBA Draft: The Toronto Raptors drafted Andrea Bargnani.
• 2007 NBA Draft: The Portland Trail Blazers selected Greg Oden.
• 2008 NBA Draft: The Chicago Bulls won the lottery, resulting in the selection of Derrick Rose.
• 2009 NBA Draft: The Los Angeles Clippers picked Blake Griffin.

Quiz Question: Which team won the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery and dramatically altered their future?

The 2010s: Superstars and Franchise-Altering Picks

The 2010s witnessed the emergence of several superstars who fundamentally shifted the balance of power in the NBA. The lottery picks of this decade helped establish new dynasties and redefine the league landscape for years to come. However, even in this era of incredible talent, not every lottery pick achieved their full potential.

• 2010 NBA Draft: The Washington Wizards selected John Wall.
• 2011 NBA Draft: The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Kyrie Irving.
• 2012 NBA Draft: The New Orleans Hornets won and drafted Anthony Davis.
• 2013 NBA Draft: The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Anthony Bennett.
• 2014 NBA Draft: The Cleveland Cavaliers again received the #1 pick, using it to select Andrew Wiggins.
• 2015 NBA Draft: The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Karl-Anthony Towns.
• 2016 NBA Draft: The Philadelphia 76ers selected Ben Simmons.
• 2017 NBA Draft: The Boston Celtics drafted Markelle Fultz.
• 2018 NBA Draft: The Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton.
• 2019 NBA Draft: The New Orleans Pelicans drafted Zion Williamson.

Quiz Question: Who was the #1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft?

The 2020s: A New Era of Lottery Luck

The 2020s are still unfolding, but the early lottery winners have already begun to shape the future of their respective franchises. The early returns on some of these selections are promising, and the next few years will be crucial in determining the long-term impact of these draft picks.

• 2020 NBA Draft: The Golden State Warriors won the lottery but traded their pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves who selected Anthony Edwards.
• 2021 NBA Draft: The Detroit Pistons selected Cade Cunningham.
• 2022 NBA Draft: The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero.

Quiz Question: Which team won the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery?

Conclusion

The NBA Draft Lottery remains a pivotal moment in the league's annual calendar, a lottery that offers a chance at immediate transformation. The history of lottery winners since 2000 showcases both the potential for building a championship contender and the inherent risks involved in drafting young players. From the early surprises of the 2000s to the superstar-studded 2010s and the emerging talent of the 2020s, the lottery continues to dictate destinies and shape the narrative of NBA franchises for years to come. Some lottery picks become legends; others fade into relative obscurity. The unpredictable nature of the NBA Draft Lottery adds to its enduring excitement and intrigue.

How did you score on our NBA Draft Lottery quiz? Share your results and challenge your friends to test their knowledge! Revisit this quiz in the future as the careers of recent lottery picks further develop and impact the NBA landscape. For a deeper dive into the history of specific draft classes or the impact of lottery picks, explore our other resources and articles. Good luck, and may your future NBA Lottery predictions be more accurate than your quiz performance!