Can You Name The NBA Draft Lottery Winners Since 2000? A Quiz

Axel S�rensen

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Post on May 13, 2025

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The Early 2000s: A Look Back at the NBA Draft Lottery Winners (2000-2009)

The early 2000s were a fascinating era for the NBA Draft Lottery. The outcomes shaped rosters and determined the careers of some of the league's biggest stars. Let's take a trip down memory lane:

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• 2000: Washington Wizards (Kwame Brown) – The first overall pick, Kwame Brown, unfortunately, didn't quite live up to the hype, highlighting the inherent risk and uncertainty of the lottery.
• 2001: Washington Wizards (Kwame Brown) – A repeat winner! This time, they selected Gilbert Arenas with the second pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, though the first overall pick went to the Atlanta Hawks.
• 2002: Memphis Grizzlies (Pau Gasol) – Memphis drafted Pau Gasol, demonstrating that the lottery can yield long-term success. Gasol’s later years with the Lakers were very successful.
• 2003: Cleveland Cavaliers (LeBron James) – The most impactful lottery win of all time. LeBron James's arrival fundamentally altered the Cavaliers' fortunes and the course of NBA history.
• 2004: Utah Jazz (Deron Williams)
• 2005: Milwaukee Bucks (Andrew Bogut)
• 2006: Orlando Magic (Dwight Howard) – The Magic secured Dwight Howard, transforming them into a playoff contender.
• 2007: Portland Trail Blazers (Greg Oden) – While Oden's career was tragically cut short by injuries, the selection reflected Portland's hope for a bright future.
• 2008: Chicago Bulls (Derrick Rose) – Rose led the Bulls to the playoffs and even an NBA MVP award, but also experienced a career cut short by injuries.
• 2009: Minnesota Timberwolves (Ricky Rubio)

The 2010s: A Decade of NBA Draft Lottery Triumphs (2010-2019)

The 2010s continued to offer high-stakes drama and memorable lottery wins, reshaping the competitive landscape of the NBA.

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• 2010: Washington Wizards (John Wall) – Wall became a cornerstone of the Wizards franchise for years, significantly elevating the team’s performance.
• 2011: Cleveland Cavaliers (Kyrie Irving) – The Cavaliers once again benefitted greatly from a lottery win, acquiring another future All-Star point guard to build around.
• 2012: New Orleans Hornets (Anthony Davis) – The Hornets landed Anthony Davis, a generational talent who became one of the league's elite players.
• 2013: Cleveland Cavaliers (Anthony Bennett) - A notorious example of a lottery pick that didn't pan out as expected.
• 2014: Cleveland Cavaliers (Andrew Wiggins)
• 2015: Minnesota Timberwolves (Karl-Anthony Towns)
• 2016: Philadelphia 76ers (Ben Simmons)
• 2017: Boston Celtics (Markelle Fultz)
• 2018: Phoenix Suns (DeAndre Ayton)
• 2019: New Orleans Pelicans (Zion Williamson) – Williamson's impact has been substantial, though injury concerns have impacted his overall performance.

The 2020s: Recent NBA Draft Lottery Results and Future Implications (2020-Present)

The most recent NBA Draft Lotteries have continued to generate excitement and speculation. The impact of these picks on the league is only beginning to unfold.

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• 2020: Golden State Warriors (James Wiseman)
• 2021: Detroit Pistons (Cade Cunningham) – Cunningham's early performance shows promise, giving the Pistons a strong foundation for future success.
• 2022: Orlando Magic (Paolo Banchero) – Banchero's immediate impact demonstrates the potential for high lottery picks to rapidly change a team's trajectory.
• 2023: Charlotte Hornets (Brandon Miller)

Test Your Knowledge: The NBA Draft Lottery Quiz!

1. Which team won the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery?
2. Who was the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft?
3. In what year did the Cleveland Cavaliers win the lottery and draft Kyrie Irving?
4. Which team won the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery?

Conclusion

The NBA Draft Lottery has consistently played a pivotal role in shaping the league's landscape. From the iconic selection of LeBron James to the more recent successes of Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero, the lottery's impact is undeniable. While some picks become superstars, others don't quite meet expectations, highlighting the inherent gamble involved. How did you fare on the quiz? Share your score and discuss your answers in the comments below! Think you can ace this quiz? Test your NBA Draft Lottery knowledge again and again! How well do you know the NBA Draft Lottery winners since 2000?