NBA Draft Betting: How to Get Started and Win

The first overall pick will undoubtedly be the most popular bet we’ll see in months to come, and it’s important to understand this betting type and how to predict the outcome.

The first overall pick at the 2024 NBA Draft will be a prop bet, which if you aren’t familiar with proposition bets, is just a ‘for fun’ bet that you can place. There will be a list of the top contenders, and they will be ranked by their probability of winning, with odds that represent how likely it is that they’ll be selected first overall.

Past Example: 2020 NBA Draft: First Overall Pick Odds

• Anthony Edwards -110
• James Wiseman +175
• LaMelo Ball +250
• Obi Toppin +1000
• Deni Avdija +1500
• Killian Hayes +1500
• RJ Hampton +2000
• Cole Anthony +5000

The question is, does Anthony Edwards deserve to be selected first? This draft is unique in that there isn’t a favorite that really stands out this year. The teams have a tough choice where the top prospects are all fairly skilled, but there isn’t a standout Lebron James or Kyrie Irving as an obvious first overall pick.

If Anthony Edwards has -110 odds, that’s fairly standard as a favorite this far out from the event, and you think he will be selected first, you can place a wager on him. A $100 wager would pay out approximately $90 and change, plus your initial stake. If you like someone a little lower on the odds board like LaMelo Ball at +250, you could place a $100 wager on him that would pay out $250 plus your initial wager if he’s chosen first overall.

A good tip to remember when it comes to NBA odds:

When you have positive odds, you will win that much for every $100 you wager. When you have negative odds, you will need to wager that much to win $100.

Past Ten First Overall Draft Picks

• 2023 – Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
• 2022 – Paolo Banchero – (Orlando Magic)
• 2021 – Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
• 2020 – Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• 2019 – Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
• 2018 – Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns)
• 2017 – Markelle Fultz (Philadelphia 76ers)
• 2016 – Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
• 2015 – Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)
• 2014 – Andrew Wiggins (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 2013 – Anthony Bennett (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 2012 – Anthony Davis (New Orleans Hornets)
• 2011 – Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• 2010 – John Wall (Washington Wizards)

You’re able to bet on the top five spots in the NBA Draft, so you could correctly predict the top five draft picks and have a great little payday if you have your finger on the pulse. If you really want to make some money, you can parlay your draft order and make a killing if you’re correct.

Sometimes, a team will throw an absolute curveball and draft a player out of the left field, and that can seriously throw off the order of things – bumping players down the list. It’s important to know the kinds of players that drafting teams need and the styles of play that would appeal to the coaches and General Managers.