2025 NBA Draft predictions and best betting picks for tonight’s draft

The NBA Finals wrapped up just a week ago and we’re already looking ahead to next year. That’s because tonight is the NBA Draft. This is one of my favorite days of the sports calendar year. I love the NBA, I love college basketball, and tonight is where worlds collide. This gives all teams a chance to strengthen their roster and potentially acquire a piece that will transform their team. It also gives us the chance to place bets and win some money.

Open Elections

Most likely the top three picks in that order will be AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa will go to the Wizards as the first overall pick. There’s no value in betting at -700 for him, and US-based books won’t let you split it with any other picks (or any bets, really, for that matter). But there may still be some value in betting on Peterson to be the 2nd overall pick at -250. The reason for this is that if Dybantsa had not been in this draft, Peterson would have been the first pick in the draft.

Cameron Boozer is a very good player, but there are a lot of questions about how talented he will be professionally. Rumor has it he will go to the Grizzlies with the third pick. His father, Carlos Boozer, played for the Jazz, so if he gets the second pick, it could be him. But Peterson is viewed as the better player and the more likely pick.

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North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson will also be heading to the Bulls. These top four picks are pretty much clear. If any of these four don’t make the top four, I think it will be Boozer.

Keaton Wagler of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles against Isaia Howard of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half of the Elite Eight during the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Toyota Center on March 28, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

What to Bet on?

I really like Keaton Wagler at under 7.5 for the draft position. There are two teams talking extensively about Wagler; one is the fifth-place Clippers. The other is the sixth-seeded Nets. Most reports say Wagler would be a better fit for the Clippers if they keep the pick. If they trade, who exactly will be the team trading for the draft? There are no three players better than Wagler in the draft. He’s -290 to get drafted seventh or lower, so he’s very expensive, but that should be -600 or higher, or maybe the line should be closer to 6.5. To be really clear, I’m not saying this is a great bet. -290 isn’t exactly a steal, but that number still has significant value.

Candidate Mara is said to be heading to Dallas, which now owns the 9th pick. This makes some sense, considering they might need a center and their new coach is Dusty May, who coached Mara in college. There aren’t many teams that get him, other than getting him. I’d lean toward 9.5 just in case Dallas chooses a different direction. It looks like he’ll go ninth or potentially much later, so unless you’re absolutely sure he’ll go to Dallas, there’s no reason to sink to the bottom.

15 Yaxel Lendeborg +1000. I’m not sure he’ll still be there, but the Bulls are said to be very interested in Lendeborg. He fits into his teams quite well. He can shoot, drive, rebound and defend. The problem is that he doesn’t do any of this at an elite level. I can see it falling through, but it’s an ideal spot and there are rumors of interest, so it’s a reasonable risk to take.

Yaxel Lendeborg of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after being fouled and scoring a goal during the second half of an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Elite Eight game against the Tennessee Volunteers at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on March 29, 2026. Michigan won 95-62. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Darius Auff is one of those polarizing players. There is no doubt about his ability to score goals. But there are a lot of good guards in this draft: Peterson, Auff, Wagler, Mikel Brown, Brayden Burries. Auff is known to have a lot of great talent in the NBA and has a good college coach (John Calipari). His size will be an issue, but Jalen Brunson just won the Finals MVP award. I don’t think it’s a good bet for him to be exactly seventh at -120, but if you see him over 7.5 I’ll take it. He is rumored to be heading to the Kings, and he’s a pretty good fit, especially considering the team is without a point guard. But if any of the guards I mentioned earlier become available (except maybe Burries), I think they will pass on Auff.

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There aren’t many great deals for the night. In terms of value, Wagler at 7.5 under -290 is my favorite (at -450 at Caesars Sportsbook). Lendeborg, ranked 15th in terms of opportunity, is good money; It’s also over 13.5 at Caesars. I would also take the Mara over 9.5. Auff is listed over 6.5 -115 at Caesars; I would buy this. Shop around because the numbers vary greatly.

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Follow David on X/Twitter for more sports betting information and games: @futureprez2024