NBA draft odds: Wiseman, Ball rising in race for No. 1 pick
Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.
With the NFL draft behind us, it may feel like an eternity before another live sporting event captures our collective betting attention. Yet the NBA draft is, hopefully, just around the corner, and there's a legitimate race for the top spot in this year's class.
Anthony Edwards (+100) remains the favorite after a so-so freshman campaign, but he's now at even money with James Wiseman (+180) and LaMelo Ball (+300) close behind. And with the draft process still up in the air, it could even be worth betting a long shot to break through the uncertainty.
Here are the updated odds for the No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft (50-1 or shorter), with three early values to watch:
| PLAYER | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | +100 |
| James Wiseman | +180 |
| LaMelo Ball | +300 |
| Deni Avdija | +525 |
| Obi Toppin | +600 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | +1400 |
| Cole Anthony | +1800 |
| Onyeka Okongwu | +2000 |
| Killian Hayes | +2000 |
| RJ Hampton | +3000 |
| Isaac Okoro | +4500 |
| Tyrese Maxey | +5000 |
James Wiseman (+180)
Wiseman was the favorite this time last year, and with no March Madness bump to separate any of the top prospects, the gifted big man from Memphis may actually see his stock rise despite missing nearly the entire season.
It helps that nearly every team with a chance at the top pick would be a strong fit for the smooth and athletic 7-foot-1 center, namely the last-place Warriors. Edwards is probably the safer pick without knowing the draft order, but Wiseman's overwhelming upside could win out in an unorthodox year.
LaMelo Ball (+300)
When Ball opted to play overseas instead of in college, it seemed like a decision that could hurt his overall visibility. Instead, his stellar 12-game stint in the Australian NBL stacks up favorably to the postseason-less resumes of most collegiate stars.
So does his playstyle, which is a perfect fit for the modern NBA and would be an easy addition to nearly any lineup. Even teams with established lead guards like Golden State and Atlanta would covet Ball's floor spacing. If there's one guy to target this early, it's Ball.
Obi Toppin (+600)
Arguably nobody did more to help their draft stock this year than Toppin, who won the Naismith Award and looked poised to carry Dayton to a potential title run before the tournament was canceled.
There are still questions about how Toppin's game will translate to the NBA, but it's hard to deny how dominant he was inside despite his 6-9 frame. Production may play an outsized role in this year's draft if traditional combine drills are nixed, which would make Toppin well worth a 6-1 shot.
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.