While it may be clear who is going first overall to the San Antonio Spurs, there is uncertainty surrounding who will go after Wembanyama. Scoot Henderson was the favorite, but that appears to have changed. Brandon Miller has taken over that role with NBA Draft odds as short as -400 via Caesars.
With plenty of time for additional crazy trades that could shake up projections, NBA Draft odds could see some changes before the draft gets started at 8 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Brandon Miller the New Favorite to Be No. 2 Pick in 2023 NBA Draft
These NBA Draft odds are current as of June 20 at four of the top sports betting apps in the country:
| Player | FanDuel | DraftKings | PointsBet | BetRivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Miller | -240 | -255 | -300 | -225 |
| Scoot Henderson | +135 | +150 | +145 | +120 |
| Amen Thompson | +12000 | +5000 | +10000 | +6000 |
| Ausar Thompson | +12000 | +10000 | +10000 | +8000 |
| Cam Whitmore | +12000 | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Anthony Black | +12000 | +10000 | +15000 | +8000 |
| Jarrace Walker | +20000 | +10000 | +15000 | +10000 |
| Victor Wembanyama | +20000 | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
While anything can happen in the days and hours leading up to the NBA Draft, Victor Wembanyama’s odds to go No. 1 to the Spurs (ranging from -10000 to -50000) make that occurrence as close to a guarantee as the betting market will ever predict.
So, we begin our coverage with what was a more competitive market as late as Wednesday night: the No. 2 pick. Scoot Henderson was a heavy favorite to go No. 2 to the Charlotte Hornets with a better than 70% chance while Brandon Miller’s chance was closer to 34-38%. But that is not the case anymore.
A few days before the Draft, we thought there was a good chance the odds would move in Miller’s direction, and they have. According to reports, the Hornets like how Miller and LaMelo Ball, and they were impressed with his private workouts. If Charlotte does select him at No. 2, he’ll become one of two Alabama players taken that high.
Antonio McDyess was the other in the 1995 NBA Draft.
But reports like this on the day of a draft are not uncommon and not always true. The Hornets may just be trying to throw people off or maybe everything reported is true, but they like Scoot Henderson more. What if someone offers them a trade package they can’t refuse?
Then again, it seems that Michael Jordan is making the pick even though he has already sold his stake in the team. During a recent interview, Miller talked about Jordan talking trash during his workout and what he thinks of the GOAT:
“[Michael Jordan] told me I was just a shooter”
Draft prospect, Brandon Miller, wasn’t afraid to talk trash back to Jordan after working out for the Hornets. 🤣@TermineRadio | @sarahkustok | @DalenCuff | #2023NBADraft pic.twitter.com/zl8IBnqQb6
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) June 21, 2023
Could Miller’s willingness to trade barbs with Jordan, a former player many refer to as the GOAT, make a difference? Fans and bettors will find out Thursday night.
Value Picks and Longshots in 2023 NBA Draft Props Betting
No. 6 Overall Pick — Cam Whitmore +750 (FanDuel)
Whitmore is the favorite at several sportsbooks to go to Detroit with the No. 5 pick. Jarace Walker, Ausar Thompson, and Taylor Hendricks are also in the conversation as potential targets for the Pistons. If Detroit goes for one of them, that leaves Whitmore on the board for Orlando at No. 6.
Many books list Thompson or Anthony Black as the favorite to go No. 6. We think if Whitmore is still on the board, the Magic will take him.
No. 9 Overall Pick — Cason Wallace +2000 (BetRivers)
Once you get past the Nos. 5-7 selections, mock drafts, and experts agree less and less on who will go where. Anthony Black, Cason Wallace, and Gradey Dick are three of the more popular choices for the Jazz at No. 9. We like Wallace to go here because he’ll give the Jazz a solid defender with a complementary skill set they can build around.
No. 10 Overall Pick — Anthony Black +1900 (FanDuel)
There is a solid chance Black is unavailable here because the Wizards may take him with the No. 8 pick. But the Mavericks would be foolish not to take him if he is still on the board. Black is a two-way guard with exceptional ball-handling skills who reads defenses well. He could be the distributor Dallas needs to feed the ball to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving (if Irving re-signs with the Mavs).
NBA Draft Prop: Number of Players from International Clubs Drafted in First Round — Over 3.5 +108 (BetRivers)
Victor Wembanyama (France) will be the first player taken off the board. A teammate of his, Bilal Coulibaly, has been gaining traction of late as a potential first-round pick. Some mocks having him go to the Jazz at No. 9.
To cash the Over 3.5 on this prop, we’ll probably see Ryan Rupert (New Zealand) and James Nnaji (Nigeria) selected toward the end of the first round.
Projections have Rupert going as high as No. 16. However, he’s more likely to go at No. 27 to the Hornets. Nnaji could go as high as No. 26. But many mocks have him listed as the last pick of the first round. If that makes it too close to call for your taste, the line for the Under is listed at -134.
Bookmark: NBA Championship odds 2023-24 | NBA MVP odds
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