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The NBA Draft night is fast approaching, and while Cooper Flagg is an overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 overall, there’s still plenty of value scattered across the rest of the NBA betting board.
We combed through the latest NBA odds to highlight the most intriguing NBA Draft betting options available right now. Whether you’re chasing plus-money props or hunting for Top-5 value, this is your guide to the best bets before the draft. And, let’s be honest here, this guide will probably satiate your NBA betting appetite after the NBA Finals have concluded and the league crowned a new champion.
When is the 2025 NBA Draft?
The 2025 NBA Draft will be live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on June 25 and 26. Like last year’s event, the 2025 NBA Draft will take place over two nights.
What Time Is The NBA Draft?
Both nights of the NBA Draft will begin at 8pm ET. You can expect pre-Draft coverage to start roughly an hour prior to the NBA Draft.
What Channel Is The NBA Draft On?
The 2025 NBA Draft can be seen live on ABC and ESPN for both nights of picks. Wednesday, June 25, will feature the first round of the draft. Thursday, June 26, will feature the second round of the draft. All 59 total draft picks will be covered on the ABC-ESPN broadcast.
2025 NBA Draft Odds
The following NBA Draft odds are courtesy of the best sports betting sites:
NBA Draft Bet | Favorites | Predictions |
---|---|---|
1st Overall Pick | Cooper Flagg (-20000) | Cooper Flagg (-20000) |
2nd Overall Pick | Dylan Harper (-5000) | Dylan Harper (-5000) |
3rd Overall Pick | VJ Edgecombe (-195) | VJ Edgecombe (-195) |
4th Overall Pick | Kon Knueppel (+195) | Kon Knueppel (+195) |
5th Overall Pick | Tre Johnson (+180) | Ace Bailey (+275) |
6th Overall Pick | Ace Bailey (+275) | Tre Johnson (+500) |
Drafted First: Essengue or Queen | Noa Essengue (-135) | Noa Essengue (-135) |
Drafted First: Jakuncionis or Demin | Kasparas Jakucionis (-225) | Egor Demin (+170) |
Cooper Flagg is a massive odds-on favorite to be drafted first overall. In fact, the first two NBA picks in this Draft offer zero value on the boars. However, there’s plenty of betting value with the rest of the NBA Draft prop bets that we have examined below.
And, if you need further assistance with the 2025 NBA Draft, or betting on the NBA all season long, then check out the industry’s best handicapping membership for a free trial and slam dunk your winnings!
NBA Draft Predictions
Check out our NBA predictions for the following NBA Draft bets:
No. 1 Overall Pick
- Cooper Flagg (-20000)
- Dylan Harper (+12000)
- VJ Edgecombe (+18000)
- Ace Bailey (+18000)
While the draft should generate plenty of intrigue, there won’t be a whole lot of that at the top. Duke’s Cooper Flagg has been the top-ranked prospect in the 2025 class for years, and he didn’t do anything during his lone collegiate season to dissuade whichever lucky team won the lottery to call his name with the No. 1 pick.
Of course, Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has been about as unpredictable as they come, but even he can’t screw this one up…right? Flagg is a lock to go first overall regardless of whether the Mavs keep the pick.
Bet: Cooper Flagg (-20000)
No. 2 Overall Pick
- Dylan Harper (-5000)
- VJ Edgecombe (+2000)
- Ace Bailey (+2500)
- Cooper Flagg (+9000)
- Tre Johnson (+10000)
- Khaman Maluach (+10000)
- Jeremiah Fears (+10000)
- Kon Knueppel (+10000)
The draft truly begins once the San Antonio Spurs are on the clock with the 2nd overall selection. There’s rampant speculation about the possibility that the Spurs could trade the pick, but, as of now, it’s still in their possession. While their decision may not be quite as clear-cut as the Mavs’ at No. 1, oddsmakers still aren’t expecting much drama here.
Rutgers guard Dylan Harper is a heavy -5000 favorite to make his way to the Alamo City. If the Spurs do take him, it would be a classic case of prioritizing the best player available over team need. San Antonio is spoken for at both guard positions, with former All-Star De’Aaron Fox and reining Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle entrenched as the starters.
If Harper does wind up with the Spurs, he’ll likely be relegated to a reserve role as a rookie. For a roster with as many holes as the Spurs’ has, though, adding depth is still important. Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe and Harper’s college teammate, Ace Bailey, are long-shots I wouldn’t really consider.
Bet: Dylan Harper (-5000)
No. 3 Overall Pick
- VJ Edgecombe (-195)
- Ace Bailey (+380)
- Tre Johnson (+450)
- Kon Knueppel (+1100)
- Khaman Maluach (+1600)
- Dylan Harper (+2500)
- Jeremiah Fears (+6000)
- Derik Queen (+10000)
Flagg and Harper should go first and second, respectively, though the odds for who will be the third player off the board aren’t as lopsided. This pick belongs to the Philadelphia 76ers, who defeated their lottery odds to win the pick after injuries derailed their championship dreams a season ago.
As of now, VJ Edgecombe (-195) is the leading candidate. While Ace Bailey has been a presumptive top-3 pick for months, Bailey’s stock seems to be on the decline. He certainly didn’t help his chances of landing with the Sixers on Wednesday when he reportedly canceled a pre-draft workout with the team. Bailey is reportedly hoping to land with a team that will give him the opportunity to play a major role as a rookie. The Sixers, with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George still on the roster, are more likely to prioritize contending over developing younger talent.
So, perhaps Edgecombe winds up in the City of Brotherly Love. The Bahamas native averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game for the Bears as a freshman. He’s arguably the best pure athlete in the draft, and his defensive instincts and tenacity can make him a versatile player at the top level.
Scouts have compared his game to that of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Derrick White, and a pre-injuries Victor Oladipo. Those may not sound like amazing comps for a prospective No. 3 overall pick, but KCP and White have been key cogs in championship teams over their respective careers. Edgecombe is the kind of complementary piece that would be a glorious fit next to the Sixers’ veteran stars, so the pick makes sense in the near-term, too.
Bet: VJ Edgecombe (-195)
No. 4 Overall Pick
- Kon Knueppel (+195)
- VJ Edgecombe (+290)
- Tre Johnson (+360)
- Ace Bailey (+360)
- Khaman Maluach (+750)
- Jeremiah Fears (+3000)
- Kasparas Jakucionis (+7500)
- Egor Emin (+7500)
The chalk is holding in our pseudo-mock draft so far, but we have no odds-on favorites to land in Charlotte as the No. 4 overall pick. The Hornets have been stuck in a rebuilding phase for what feels like an eternity. While this rebuild has netted some solid young talent in LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Mark Williams, Charlotte still seems to be a ways away from true title contention.
Flagg’s college teammate, Kon Knueppel, is the favorite, though he’s hardly an overwhelming one at +195 to wind up down the road from Durham. Knueppel isn’t a freak athlete by any means, but he has the tools to become a well-rounded offensive piece at the next level. Something he should be able to provide from day one is floor-spacing, however, after he knocked down better than 40 percent of his 3-point tries in his lone season with the Blue Devils. Knueppel converted a stellar 47 percent of spot-up looks from deep.
Knueppel has excellent size for a wing at 6’7″, and one of the main knocks on his game is his potential to defend high-usage NBA wings. The jury is out on that, of course, but you can never have enough shooting these days.
Bailey may be the best talent still available, but the Hornets may already have a better version of him in Brandon Miller on the roster. Knueppel has the potential to step in and contribute right away, and I think he’s the logical choice. At +195, you’re also getting solid upside with this bet.
Bet: Kon Knueppel (+195)
No. 5 Overall Pick
- Tre Johnson (+180)
- Ace Bailey (+275)
- Kon Knueppel (+400)
- Jeremiah Fears (+400)
- VJ Egecombe (+900)
- Khaman Maluach (+1300)
- Kasparas Jakucionis (+4000)
- Egor Demin (+4000)
The Utah Jazz spent much of last season tanking for Cooper Flagg, only to wind up falling to No. 5 in the lottery. Remember kids, tanking doesn’t pay.
Like the Hornets, the Jazz have been rebuilding in recent years, but they still haven’t netted that franchise-altering piece. They may not get it this year, but Texas guard Tre Johnson (+180) has serious potential as a high-usage scorer at the next level. He’s 6’5″ with a 6’10” wingspan, and he was a dynamic scorer at all 3 levels during his freshman campaign in Austin.
Johnson is a bit of a boom/bust pick. He’s a dynamic enough scorer to completely carry his team’s offense, but he can also tank it completely if his shots aren’t falling. The wingspan helps his defensive potential, but he doesn’t have a reputation as an active defender. He may be more of a Cameron Thomas or Cam Whitmore type than an Anthony Edwards at the next level.
Still, the Jazz could use the offensive help, as they finished just 24th in offensive efficiency a season ago. If Johnson isn’t the pick, perhaps the Jazz take a bigger swing with Bailey. There aren’t a lot of NBA player son the record about being excited to go play in Utah, but the Jazz can afford to give Bailey the big-minute role he’s reportedly seeking as a first-year player.
Johnson is favored, but I think the Jazz are ready to shoot for the moon. Bailey is hardly a sure thing, but I think his NBA ceiling is higher than that of Johnson or any other player the Jazz can reasonably expect to fall to them at No. 5. Take the value with Bailey at +275 to go fifth.
Bet: Ace Bailey (+275)
No. 6 Overall Pick
- Ace Bailey (+275)
- Jeremiah Fears (+350)
- Tre Johnson (+500)
- Kon Knueppel (+500)
- Khaman Maluach (+550)
- Noa Essengue (+800)
- VJ Egecombe (+1400)
- Derik Queen (+1800)
Bailey is the favorite to land with the Washington Wizards at No. 6. Washington is another crappy team that would afford Bailey the chance to play a major role immediately, but we have him going to Utah.
Washington had a successful draft in 2024 that netted them a trio of promising youngsters in Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George. The Wiz have been so dreadful in recent years, however, that they’re another team that should be prioritizing adding talent over drafting for need.
Fortunately, the only player on the roster whose skill set somewhat overlaps with that of Tre Johnson is Jordan Poole. The 26-year-old had a bounce-back 2025 after scuffling in his first year in town, but I still don’t think he’s necessarily a building block for the franchise moving forward. If he plays well again this season, perhaps the Wizards will be able to find a taker for him on the trade market.
At +500, Johnson is a pretty terrific value to land in Washington at No. 6.
Bet: Tre Johnson (+500)
Who Gets Drafted First?
- Noa Essengue (-135)
- Derik Queen (+105)
This prop bet pits a couple of promising young big men against one another. France’s Noa Essengue is the slight favorite (-135) to hear his name called before Maryland’s Derik Queen (+105) comes off the board.
Essengue’s youth (still only 18!) could add to his intrigue for teams. He stands 6’9″ with a wingspan surely in excess of 7’0″, and his rangy athleticism is the kind of thing for which talent evaluators drool all over themselves. Plus, he’s not as raw as many other similar prospects have been over the years. He’s a slightly taller version of Bilal Coulibaly, who’s become another of the Wizards’ young core pieces.
Queen is a legit big at 6’10” and pushing 250 pounds, so he’ll likely serve as a full-time center in the league. He’s a very well-rounded offensive player with elite touch around the basket. He’s not exactly nimble at his aforementioned weight, so he may never be much of a defensive deterrent around the bucket.
Back-to-the-basket bigs are largely a thing of the past, but Queen has enough game to carve out a regular role for himself thanks to his feathery-soft shooting touch.
While there are quite a few mocks out there that have Queen going before Essengue, I agree with the odds. Teams often draft for ceiling once you get past the first few picks, and I think Essengue’s tantalizing upside may ultimately be the deciding factor in this one.
Bet: Noa Essengue (-135)
Who Will Be Drafted First?
- Kasparas Jakucionis (-225)
- Egor Demin (+170)
This one feels a bit more lopsided. Kasparas Jakucionis (-225) is expected to hear his name before Egor Demin (+170), and the odds reflect it.
Jakucionis spent last season at Illinois, where he averaged 15 points and nearly 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game. The former FC Barcelona youngster is a natural with the ball in his hands, and that playmaking ability is enough to make him a potential lottery pick. There are question marks about his shooting and potential to defend at the NBA level, but playmaking point guards are always a hot commodity.
I’m a little surprised at the odds, as Demin might just be a bigger, taller version of Jakucionis. When in doubt, draft the bigger guy.
Demin has a reputation as the best pure passer in the draft, and he showed an advanced ability to read opposing defenses as a freshman at BYU. He’s not all that likely to become a huge scoring threat or a go-to offensive player in the NBA, but a Deni Avdija comp should be enough to have plenty of teams interested in calling his name.
I think the smart play here, given the odds, is Demin at +170 to go before Jakucionis.
Bet: Egor Demin (+170)
NBA Draft Order
Here’s the current NBA Draft order for the 2025 first round:
NBA Team | NBA Team |
---|---|
1. Dallas Mavericks | 2. San Antonio Spurs |
3. Philadelphia 76ers | 4. Charlotte Hornets |
5. Utah Jazz | 6. Washington Wizards |
7. New Orleans Pelicans | 8. Brooklyn Nets |
9. Toronto Raptors | 10. Houston Rockets (from PHX) |
11. Portland Trail Blazers | 12. Chicago Bulls |
13. Atlanta Hawks (from SAC) | 14. San Antonio Spurs (from ATL) |
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) | 16. Memphis Grizzlies (from ORL) |
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (from NYK) | 18. Washington Wizards (from MEM) |
19. Brooklyn Nets (from NYK) | 20. Miami Heat (from GSW) |
21. Utah Jazz (from MIN) | 22. Atlanta Hawks (from NOP) |
23. New Orleans Pelicans (from IND) | 24. Oklahoma City Thunder (from LAC) |
25. Orlando Magic (from DEN) | 26. Brooklyn Nets (from NYK) |
27. Brooklyn Nets (from HOU) | 28. Boston Celtics |
29. Phoenix Suns (from UTA) | 30. Los Angeles Clippers (from OKC) |