We're just a few days removed from the Thunder winning the NBA Finals, but the show must go on! On Wednesday evening, the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft begins with Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, the most heavily-favored No. 1 pick since Victor Wembanyama two years ago.
Flagg at -10000 to go first overall isn't the only lock of the lottery. BetMGM has listed the same odds for Rutgers standout Dylan Harper to go No. 2 and join Wemby and the Spurs. So, it's safe to say we won't see too many surprises at the very top of the draft.
However, there will still be plenty of picks and props to place pre-draft wagers on — and it's still interesting to see the odds-on favorites at each segment of the first round. This column will highlight the projected top 10 based on odds, offer up some advice for each of those 10 picks, and then highlight the five best bets based on exact ranges and head-to-head props.
Let's get right to the Sporting News' 2025 NBA Draft betting guide, starting with the projected top 10 and our betting takeaways, and then finishing with our best bets and top props for the night.
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NBA Draft exact pick props 2025
All odds courtesy of BetMGM, an authorized gaming operator of the NBA.
1st overall pick (Mavericks): Cooper Flagg, Duke (-10000)
It's not quite as big a lock as Victor Wembanyama to the Spurs two years ago, but it's a pretty significant lock. Flagg is by far the best all-around talent in this draft, and he should be an immediate difference-maker for a Mavs team that needed a boost in the wake of the Luka Doncic trade. Flagg, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis should have Dallas right back in the mix as a playoff contender.
These -10000 odds translate to a 99-percent implied probability, in case you were wondering. Set it in stone, but forget about betting it unless you have a gigantic bankroll. For context, you would need to risk $1,000 in order to turn a $10 profit.
MORE: Why Cooper Flagg is a generational player and the undisputed top pick of this draft
2nd overall pick (Spurs): Dylan Harper, Rutgers (-10000)
Just like Flagg at No. 1, Harper is a massive -10000 favorite to land in San Antonio at second overall. You can never have enough young perimeter talent in this day and age, and the 6-6, 220-pound two-guard should serve to complement De'Aaron Fox and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
Harper's 19, strong, instinctive and athletic, and he should join Castle and Wemby as the young nucleus of this juggernaut team in the making. Even if we see a team move up to No. 2, Harper should be the pick.
3rd overall pick (76ers): VJ Edgecombe, Baylor (-275)
As the draft has drawn closer, reports have circulated that Ace Bailey wants nothing to do with Philadelphia. We've also heard from insiders like Jake Fischer that Daryl Morey, Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers took Edgecombe out to dinner and they really like the 6-4, 180-pound guard's work ethic and personality.
Of course, some rumors remain that Philly could trade back if another suitor like the Blazers or Wizards offer enough assets. However, the best available player, regardless of who's picking at No. 3, is still Edgecombe. He can jump out of the gym, lock opponents up defensively and blow by 95 percent of NBA defenders. In short, his upside is too high to pass on at the third selection.
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4th overall pick (Hornets): Kon Knueppel, Duke (-105)
Knueppel just recently switched from plus odds to minus odds, so he's certainly trending in the right direction at the right time. He would provide the Hornets with much-needed shooting and playmaking, giving LaMelo Ball and company a hand in those departments.
Knueppel is 6-7, 217 and a high-floor prospect, so he makes a ton of sense for Charlotte. Just be cautious dumping too much into this prop, as there has been plenty of uncertainty around this pick. A trade and/or surprise selection are both possibilities, which could lead plenty of bettors to regret pulling the trigger on the first coin-flip bet of the first round.
5th overall pick (Jazz): Tre Johnson, Texas (+210)
Johnson has the same odds as Ace Bailey to go fifth overall, but it would be surprising to see Utah pick a guy as volatile as Bailey. Many believe the Rutgers prospect has been jockeying to land in Brooklyn — and that he doesn't want to end up with certain teams — so him landing in Salt Lake City would likely be a net negative for both parties.
Johnson, meanwhile, could be the next Jordan Clarkson for the Jazz. He's a pure scorer and elite shooter, and he would take the sting out of Utah losing Lauri Markkanen and/or Walker Kessler this summer. Yours truly has a couple of wagers involving Johnson going in the top five, and with plus odds it feels like decent value to get him on the exacta here.
6th overall pick (Wizards): Ace Bailey, Rutgers (+150)
Bailey appears to be the pick here, just because BetMGM lists him with the shortest odds. However, Jeremiah Fears (+350) and Khaman Maluach (+400) both sit shorter than 5-to-1 as well, so it's basically wide open. Bailey seems like far too much of a question mark to take anywhere specifically in the top 10, even though he's almost certain to hear his name somewhere in the first 10 selections.
MORE: Ace Bailey and the five riskiest prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class
7th overall pick (Pelicans): Jeremiah Fears (+200)
Here's another pick that could hinge on Bailey's availability. The Sporting News draft guru Gil McGregor has Bailey going seventh overall to New Orleans, right after Fears lands in DC. The sportsbooks seem to have those flip-flopped. With so much doubt surrounding these selections, the best bet might be no bet at all.
8th overall pick (Nets): Khaman Maluach (+350)
Again, Bailey makes things difficult here. If Washington and New Orleans both pass on the Rutgers stud, it feels like Brooklyn would take him. Then again, if the Nets feel the same type of uneasiness about him that other executives have felt, they could easily avoid the potential drama and go with a more sure thing like Maluach.
The SN mock draft has Maluach going here, with Gil McGregor adding:
With Nic Claxton potentially on the way out, Maluach can step into a big role as the centerpiece of a team in a uniquely aggressive rebuild. … In Maluach, it gets a malleable player who is still learning the game and has limitless potential. Player development will be crucial to determine what Maluach could become, but his ceiling could be franchise-altering.
9th overall pick (Raptors): Carter Bryant, Arizona (+300)
Maluach technically has shorter odds here (+250), but for the sake of the exercise, we went with the player yielding the second-shortest odds. Toronto could use a player with Bryant's defensive potential and raw athleticism, and the Wildcat showed enough promise as a shooter to suggest he can help Darko Rajaković on offense, too.
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10th overall pick (Suns): Derik Queen, Baylor (+425)
Full disclosure: this pick feels like it would be a mistake (more on that below in a minute), and we agree with NBA expert Gil McGregor that Collin Murray-Boyles (+600) would be a better fit at 10th overall. He has a more polished skill set on both sides of the floor, and he would likely provide a more immediate impact than Queen.
NBA Draft position props 2025: Exact ranges
Derik Queen OVER 11.5 (-135)
Queen seems less sexy than his top-10 odds suggest — he's a raw 20-year-old with questionable defensive ability. Many love the Maryland big because of his clutch March Madness game-winner vs. Colorado State, which sent the Terps to the Sweet 16 (many others know he traveled on the play).
Queen's ceiling is DeMarcus Cousins lite. His floor is Anthony Bennett. The Sporting News' latest mock from NBA Draft expert Gil McGregor has Queen going to the Bulls at pick No. 12, which feels about right.
Egor Demin UNDER 14.5 (-135)
We have entered the era of the rangy point guard, as Tyrese Haliburton and LaMelo Ball didn't exactly break the mold. Cade Cunningham and Josh Giddey have both been fantastic for their respective teams, too, so it's entirely possible Demin gets targeted by the Blazers, Hawks or Spurs in the low teens.
A 6-9, 190-pound BYU product by way of Russia, Demin offers elite vision and ball-handling as well as underrated defense and athleticism. If he gets a little stronger and develops his jumper a little, he could be the next great floor general for one of these promising young teams. At worst, he learns under the tutelage and mentorship of Jrue Holiday, Trae Young or De'Aaron Fox.
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Nique Clifford to be a top 20 pick (-110)
The Sporting News' draft expert Gil McGregor has Clifford going to the Grizzlies at pick No. 16, and we couldn't agree more. Memphis just traded away Desmond Bane, so it makes sense for this team to covet Clifford for his NBA-ready size (6-6, 200), shooting (49.6% FG, 37.7 3PT) and experience (he's 23 and coming off two standout senior years with Colorado State).
Clifford has established himself as a capable playmaker and perimeter defender, two traits that have long been appreciated by the Grizzlies organization. This pick would help fast-track a build-back for a franchise that's not missing as many pieces as you might think. It's also quite possible the Spurs, Thunder, Nets and Heat have their eyes on him at their selections. Expect Clifford to be gone by pick No. 21.
NBA Draft head-to-head props 2025: Who will be drafted first?
Thomas Sorber (-135) over Asa Newell (+100)
Both these guys stand 6-9 with loads of raw potential. However, Sorber has the much wider wingspan (7-6, compared to Newell's 6-11) and a much more polished skill set. He's an above-average passer for his size, and he has the kind of basketball IQ that would make him a strong fit in Oklahoma City or Minnesota with Mark Daigneault or Chris Finch. Newell won't go far behind Sorber, but it would be somewhat shocking to see him go before him.
Liam McNeeley (-400) over Rasheer Fleming (+300)
We finish off our top props with what we feel is a total lock. If you don't mind taking on the juice, go with McNeeley to hear his name before Rasheer Fleming on Wednesday evening. The UConn stud enjoyed a strong freshman season, but his potential seems even greater than the 14.5 points per game and 38/32/87 shooting splits he put up. He's an elite catch-and-shoot guy with great character and competitiveness, and it wouldn't be surprising to see a team like Memphis, Miami or Utah take him. Fleming, meanwhile, has a massive wingspan, chiseled build, and insane athletic ability, but many fear he lacks the quick instincts needed to excel at the NBA level.
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