The Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies joined the NBA via league expansion, the second such event in 6 years. Orlando and Minnesota began play in 1989, and by 1995 the Magic were in the Finals. Jealous team owners drew a direct line between Orlando’s immediate success and the fact they were allowed to draft the #1 pick in 1992, Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.
Consequently, in their first three years, the Grizzlies and Raptors were not granted the right to win the #1 pick. As fate would have it, neither team got the #1 pick until the Raptors got lucky.