After Making Big Trades Just Months Before the NBA Draft Lottery, These Teams Ended Up Winning It 🤯

In the unpredictable world of the NBA, trade decisions can make or break a franchise’s future. Teams constantly weigh the risks of swapping players, picks, and assets for the potential of reshaping their roster. But every so often, a team makes a trade just months before the NBA Draft Lottery, only to see their gambles pay off in the most spectacular way possible. These teams, who made bold moves prior to the draft, ended up winning the lottery and transforming their fortunes in ways few could have anticipated.

One prime example comes from the 2018 NBA season. The Phoenix Suns, with the worst record in the league, were poised to secure a high pick. However, just months before the lottery, the Suns made a trade to bring in star center Deandre Ayton as part of their rebuilding effort. While Ayton was a highly regarded talent in the draft, the move was made to signal the Suns’ commitment to establishing a new core. What many didn’t see coming was that Phoenix’s risk paid off in a massive way. Not only did the Suns end up winning the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery, but Ayton’s selection with the first overall pick solidified their future and brought a fresh sense of optimism to the franchise.

Another example is the 2014 NBA Draft, where the Cleveland Cavaliers made a strategic trade with the Boston Celtics to land the No. 1 overall pick. Cleveland, having already established themselves as one of the most successful franchises of the previous decade, had the benefit of being able to secure a top selection through trade. With the Cavaliers’ trade of former No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins and a few additional assets, Cleveland ended up securing the No. 1 pick in a loaded draft class that featured the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and Joel Embiid. The Cavs wisely selected Andrew Wiggins, though the outcome of their trades ultimately saw them land another gem in LeBron James when the King returned to Cleveland. The Cleveland Cavaliers were able to use that lottery win to help propel them to championships in the years that followed.

The 2017 NBA Draft saw the Philadelphia 76ers make a monumental trade with the Boston Celtics, sending the No. 3 pick in the draft for the Celtics’ No. 1 pick. At the time, the move was highly scrutinized by analysts, who questioned the wisdom of giving up multiple assets for what many saw as a gamble. However, Philadelphia knew exactly what they were doing: they were targeting the top player of that year’s class, Markelle Fultz. The 76ers’ faith in Fultz’s potential didn’t quite pan out the way they envisioned, but the gamble played a pivotal role in getting the 76ers closer to their ultimate goal — competing for an NBA title.

More recently, the 2021 NBA Draft provided a perfect example of how a trade could reshape a team’s future. The Orlando Magic, with a series of recent roster moves that involved trading away veterans, were looking to reset and rebuild. Just months before the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery, the Magic traded away Nikola Vucevic and other core players. It was a gamble, but they were able to secure valuable assets in return, and most importantly, they ended up winning the lottery. The Magic’s win allowed them to draft first overall and select Paolo Banchero, who would become a cornerstone player of their rebuild.

These teams all made bold, decisive moves, and despite the inherent risks of trading before such a monumental event as the draft lottery, they reaped the rewards. Winning the lottery doesn’t guarantee future success, but it significantly increases the chances of landing a franchise-altering player. For these franchises, the combination of well-timed trades and favorable lottery outcomes set them on a path toward building championship-contending teams.