- Get expert betting predictions for the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday, June 26.
It’s officially draft week in the NBA.
While the 2024 class may not have a standout star like Victor Wembanyama, this year’s draft is brimming with potential. It features a plethora of quality players who could make a significant impact at the next level.
The importance of fit could be more crucial than ever.
The latest NBA odds have a market for the top 10 picks in this year’s draft, starting with the Atlanta Hawks at No. 1.
I’ve shared my best bet for all 10 draft slots over the last few weeks, so here is how I see the draft shaking out:
2024 NBA Mock Draft
No. 1: Atlanta Hawks, Zaccharie Risacher
» Bet Zaccharie Risacher (-400) to go No. 1 overall at BetMGM
Now that draft night has arrived, I will begrudgingly change my prediction for the No. 1 pick from Donovan Clingan to Zaccharie Risacher. I’ll always have that juicy +1100 flier from mid-May on Clingan as the top pick.
Risacher is now a -400 favorite to be the No. 1 pick, while Clingan is +300. Barring any last-minute shenanigans, the Hawks are taking Risacher with the top pick.
I still don’t agree that Risacher has the profile of a top pick, even in a weak draft class. But to make the later picks more accurate, I must assume Atlanta will do this.
No. 2: Washington Wizards, Alex Sarr
» Bet Alex Sarr (-700) to go No. 2 overall at BetMGM
With Sarr’s latest price to be the No. 2 pick being -700, I’m thankful for the +190 odds I grabbed a couple of weeks ago.
The 7-foot center from France has a 7-foot-4 wingspan and will immediately help a Washington team that ranked 28th in defensive rating last year.
The Wizards are getting the best player in this class at No. 2, as my updated NBA Rookie Rankings explained.
No. 3: Houston Rockets, Reed Sheppard
» Bet Reed Sheppard (-200) to go No. 3 overall at BetMGM
Whether the Rockets trade this pick or not, Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard is the easy selection for No. 3. His latest odds of being this pick are -200, some solid CLV for my +100 bet from a week ago.
Sheppard, who shot 52.1% from long range last year, can develop behind Fred VanVleet before eventually running the show in Houston.
No. 4: San Antonio Spurs, Stephon Castle
» Bet Stephon Castle (-110) to go No. 4 overall at BetMGM
This is where the draft really gets interesting.
The Spurs haven’t said much about what they want to do at No. 4, though Stephon Castle is the betting favorite (-110) to be the selection here. Castle can immediately impact as a perimeter defender while handling the ball for a team that needs a lead guard.
I remain hopeful that my flier on Matas Buzelis (+850) can be the pick here, but I’ll side with the latest basketball odds.
No. 5: Detroit Pistons, Matas Buzelis
» Bet Matas Buzelis (-165) to go No. 5 overall at BetMGM
Buzelis could be the first player from G League Ignite to hear his name called, particularly considering how teams have reportedly cooled on Ron Holland. Buzelis, who is 6-foot-9 and 19 years old, can play either forward position and fits right in with Detroit’s young core.
There is a reason why he’s the NBA betting favorite for this draft slot.
No. 6: Charlotte Hornets, Donovan Clingan
» Bet Donovan Clingan (+700) to go No. 6 overall at BetMGM
Dalton Knecht is the betting favorite at -110, but part of that could be it’s surprising to see Clingan fall this far. His odds have gone from +500 to +700 to be the selection at No. 6.
Despite having center Mark Williams on the roster, I could see the Hornets being intrigued by Clingan’s defensive potential. He averaged 2.5 blocks per game with UConn last season.
The Hornets could also trade this pick, assuming a team wants to move up for Clingan. This might be the best value bet on draft day.
No. 7: Portland Trail Blazers, Cody Williams
» Bet Cody Williams (+400) to go No. 7 overall at BetMGM
The younger brother of Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams has plenty of potential as a 6-foot-7 wing with his feel for the game. Cody Williams averaged 11.9 points per game in his lone collegiate season at Colorado.
Williams is currently the betting favorite to be Portland’s pick at No. 7, and has been my prediction for a couple of weeks.
No. 8: San Antonio Spurs, Devin Carter
» Bet Devin Carter (+300) to go No. 8 overall at BetMGM
The Spurs need to lean into their defensive identity, so taking Carter at No. 8 makes too much sense. He’s one of the best perimeter defenders in this class and has climbed up most rankings after a breakout season with Providence last year.
I originally bet Carter to be San Antonio’s pick here at +750 odds, but he’s now the betting favorite in the updated market.
The Spurs should pick either Castle or Carter with one of their two picks. In this mock draft, I have them ending up with both.
No. 9: Memphis Grizzlies, Ron Holland
» Bet Ron Holland (+650) to go No. 9 overall at BetMGM
The Grizzlies can trade down or take a big swing with this pick. The latter strategy would be a selection of Holland, as the two-way wing from G League Ignite was once viewed as a top prospect in this class.
Carter, who is the son of Grizzlies assistant coach Anthony Carter, is the betting favorite to go No. 9 overall at +340.
Holland is fourth in odds in this market, but I think teams will be interested in trading up for him if he slides out of the top-eight.
No. 10: Utah Jazz, Dalton Knecht
» Bet Dalton Knecht (+800) to go No. 10 overall at BetMGM
Most mocks have a 23-year-old Knecht getting drafted earlier, but the Jazz would jump at the opportunity to take him at No. 10. After averaging 21.7 points per game with Tennessee last year, Knecht’s shooting and scoring prowess could fit in nicely for a Utah team that craves just that.
Knecht is among the top contenders for this pick, though I’m still comfortable with my +1100 flier on Tidjane Salaün.
NBA Draft FAQs
When is the 2024 NBA Draft?
The 2024 NBA Draft will occur on June 26-27, 2024. Wednesday’s Round 1 will begin at 8 p.m. ET, and Thursday’s Round 2 will start at 4 p.m. ET.
Where is the 2024 NBA Draft?
The first round will be at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., and the second round will be at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York.
How can I watch the 2024 NBA Draft?
Both nights of the NBA Draft will air on ESPN and stream on ESPN+.
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