NBA draft odds: Edwards, Wiseman battle for No. 1 pick
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Drafts are going to provide a huge fix for sports bettors and fans over the next few months. It's about all we have to look forward to these days outside of the rare Nicaragua or Belarus soccer friendly. But despite the repercussions from COVID-19, it appears the drafts are still right on schedule - and that's clutch.
Though all the talk's been centered around next month's NFL draft, we're starting to see some NBA props become available. Here's what we have so far.
First overall pick
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | +125 |
| James Wiseman | +150 |
| LaMelo Ball | +400 |
| Obi Toppin | +1000 |
| Deni Avdija | +1200 |
| Cole Anthony | +2200 |
There's still a lot that has to be sorted out, including lottery and seeding. But right now, it looks like it's Georgia's Edwards versus Memphis' Wiseman. In 32 games with the Bulldogs, Edwards averaged 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Wiseman played in only three contests before leaving school but had nearly 20 points per game during his abbreviated stint.
Second overall pick
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | +150 |
| James Wiseman | +250 |
| Lamelo Ball | +250 |
| Obi Toppin | +400 |
| Deni Avdija | +600 |
Same field here, only with different prices for the second overall pick. With Toppin's development over the last few months and Ball's allure as a franchise point guard, I don't hate either of those two at +400 and +250, respectively.
Third overall pick
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Lamelo Ball | +250 |
| James Wiseman | +300 |
| Obi Toppin | +300 |
| Anthony Edwards | +500 |
| Deni Avdija | +500 |
| Cole Anthony | +800 |
Anthony, who could have been a candidate for No. 1 pick had he not suffered an injury at North Carolina, sees his name enter the fray, though he's a long shot at 8-1.
Fourth overall pick
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| LaMelo Ball | +300 |
| Obi Toppin | +350 |
| Deni Avdija | +400 |
| James Wiseman | +450 |
| Cole Anthony | +600 |
| Onyeka Okongwu | +800 |
| R.J. Hampton | +1000 |
This could be where the draft breaks and goes off script. Once the top three picks are off the board, it's going to give a team a chance to swing for the fences. This is where Anthony (6-1) and even USC's Okongwu (8-1) start presenting some serious value.
Fifth overall pick
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cole Anthony | +400 |
| Deni Avdija | +400 |
| LaMelo Ball | +400 |
| Obi Toppin | +400 |
| James Wiseman | +600 |
| Onyeka Okongwu | +600 |
| R.J. Hampton | +900 |
| Anthony Edwards | +1600 |
Good luck trying to pinpoint the fifth pick with only eight players available. Things could get real bizarre, especially if someone like Ball, Anthony, or Hampton is there for a team that has a need and fit.
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.