NBA Draft Odds 2023: Miller to the Hornets?
Victor Wembanyama is expected to be chosen as the first overall pick, but who will the Charlotte Hornets select with the second overall pick? To gain insights, let's dive into the NBA draft markets and monitor any line movements via our best sports betting apps.
As we approach the NBA draft, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Victor Wembanyama, hailed as one of the most exciting prospects to enter the NBA. However, from a betting perspective, I haven't paid any attention to Wembanyama. There's no wagering opportunity with him since he is destined to be the first overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs. My focus lies solely on the markets where I can place my bets.
This year, the NBA draft markets have lacked some excitement due to Wembanyama being the overwhelming favorite for the top selection, coupled with various trade rumors that add complexity to betting on the NBA draft.
While the thrill from a betting standpoint may be slightly diminished for some basketball fans compared to previous NBA drafts, I believe there are still lucrative plus-money bets to exploit, and opportunities that bettors might be overlooking. Shane Jackson explored some of these opportunities in his look at the NBA draft position odds.
Let's closely examine some NBA draft markets through our best sports betting sites to help you fill our your NBA draft prop bet sheet.
NBA draft odds 2023: No. 1 pick
| Player | DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | PointsBet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | -20000 | -50000 | -10000 | -40000 |
| Scoot Henderson | +5000 | +5000 | +4000 | +5000 |
| Brandon Miller | +10000 | +14000 | +15000 | +10000 |
Congratulations to the San Antonio Spurs for winning the NBA Draft lottery and for selecting Victor Wembanyama as the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Alright, we've covered that topic adequately; let's now shift our focus to markets where we can still place bets.
NBA draft odds 2023: No. 2 pick
| Player | DraftKings | FanDuel | PointsBet | Caesars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Miller | -175 | -155 | -190 | -225 |
| Scoot Henderson | +130 | +100 | +115 | +140 |
| Amen Thompson | +8000 | +12000 | +10000 | +7500 |
Throughout the entire NBA Draft cycle, this market has experienced multiple flips at our best NBA betting sites as both Henderson and Miller took turns being the favorites to be selected second overall by the Charlotte Hornets.
Recently, the Hornets conducted a second pre-draft workout with both players, resulting in another adjustment to Miller's odds of being chosen. Despite both players having been favored at different times, Miller's odds of -500 mark the shortest odds we have seen for either player while they were the favorite.
Rumors of the Hornets potentially trading the pick to the Pelicans to select Henderson and the possibility of Zion Williamson being involved in the trade have also impacted this market. It wouldn't be surprising if there are leaks about this pick, and the movement of the odds could indicate the Hornets' intentions.
With Michael Jordan having sold the team and Wembanyama guaranteed to be drafted first overall, there's no incentive for the Hornets to keep this pick a secret.
NBA draft odds 2023: No. 3 pick
| Player | DraftKings | FanDuel | PointsBet | Caesars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoot Henderson | -150 | -135 | -156 | -180 |
| Brandon Miller | +105 | +110 | +120 | +115 |
| Amen Thompson | +150 | +700 | +750 | +550 |
| Cam Whitmore | +3000 | +7500 | +5000 | +4000 |
| Ausar Thompson | +6000 | +9500 | +8000 | +8000 |
Similar to the market for the second overall pick, we have witnessed consistent shifts between Henderson and Miller as the favorites to be drafted third overall. If Miller is favored to go second overall, then Henderson becomes the favorite for the third overall pick. The prevailing belief is that Wembanyama, Henderson, and Miller will be the top three picks, but the uncertainty lies in who will be chosen first between Henderson and Miller.
From a betting perspective, if you believe Miller will be selected second overall by the Hornets, instead of betting on that outcome, you could technically try and save a couple of cents by wagering on Henderson to be drafted third overall. However, proceed with extreme caution. There's a reason why Amen Thompson's odds are +12000 to be selected second overall but only +750 to be chosen third overall.
The debate between Miller and Henderson for the second overall pick revolves more around their fit with the Hornets' roster. This doesn't imply that whoever is drafting third overall, most likely the Trail Blazers, automatically prefers Henderson over all other prospects.
We've heard rumors from the Houston Rockets camp suggesting that they don't perceive any difference between Thompson, Henderson, and Miller and would be content with selecting fourth overall. If Miller indeed goes second overall, there is a slim possibility that the market for the third overall pick is more wide open than we have been led to believe.
NBA draft odds 2023: No. 4 pick
| Player | DraftKings | FanDuel | PointsBet | Caesars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amen Thompson | -400 | -390 | -400 | -400 |
| Ausar Thompson | +500 | +1100 | +700 | +550 |
| Cam Whitmore | +800 | +1100 | +900 | +750 |
| Brandon Miller | +500 | +850 | +900 | +550 |
| Scoot Henderson | +2500 | +2900 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Anthony Black | +2500 | +3400 | +4000 | +2500 |
| Jarace Walker | +3000 | +3400 | +3000 | +2800 |
| Taylor Hendricks | +5000 | +7500 | N/A | +5000 |
For weeks, the fourth overall market appeared to be a sure thing, with Amen Thompson consistently favored and trading at minus money. However, on the day of the NBA Draft, this market has become increasingly wide open.
There are rumors suggesting that the Hornets might select Miller as the second overall pick, and reports indicate that Thompson is being considered as the third overall pick by the Trail Blazers. If the Trail Blazers decide to go with Thompson instead of Henderson, it means that the fourth overall market has had the wrong favorite for a significant period of time.
As the NBA Draft approaches, we should expect a substantial amount of movement in this market. Will the Rockets pivot from Amen and select Ausar Thompson, or will they opt for the falling Henderson? Currently, the market leans towards Ausar Thompson, especially at DraftKings, where he's trading at +500 to be chosen as the fourth overall pick.
NBA draft odds 2023: No. 5 pick
| Player | DraftKings | FanDuel | PointsBet | Caesars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ausar Thompson | -190 | -165 | -170 | -230 |
| Jarace Walker | +240 | +340 | +400 | +285 |
| Cam Whitmore | +350 | +650 | +450 | +370 |
| Anthony Black | +1400 | +1500 | +1100 | +900 |
| Amen Thompson | +900 | +1600 | +1200 | +500 |
| Taylor Hendricks | +800 | +900 | +500 | +1200 |
| Brandon Miller | +3000 | +1600 | +3300 | +1500 |
| Scoot Henderson | +5000 | NA | +5000 | +5000 |
From Wednesday night into Thursday morning, Ausar Thompson gained considerable momentum as a potential fifth overall selection by the Detroit Pistons. Thompson's odds were +300 or longer on Wednesday afternoon and have now shortened to as low as -230 at Caesars. Similarly to the fourth overall market, the fifth overall market has become even more unpredictable due to developments surrounding the Hornets' and Trail Blazers' picks at second and third overall.
Is there a chance that Miller or Henderson could unexpectedly land in the hands of the Pistons as the fifth overall pick? Caesars seems to believe so, offering the shortest price at +1500 for Miller being drafted fifth overall. Earlier on Thursday morning, Miller's odds were north of +5000 to be chosen as the fifth overall pick.
Recent No. 1 picks
| Year | Player | Team | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic | Duke |
| 2021 | Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons | Oklahoma State |
| 2020 | Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves | Georgia |
| 2019 | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | Duke |
| 2018 | Deandre Ayton | Phoenix Suns | Arizona |
| 2017 | Markelle Fultz | Philadelphia 76ers | Washington |
| 2016 | Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers | LSU |
| 2015 | Karl-Anthony Towns | Minnesota Timberwolves | Kentucky |
| 2014 | Andrew Wiggins | Cleveland Cavaliers | Kansas |
| 2013 | Anthony Bennett | Cleveland Cavaliers | UNLV |
NBA draft FAQs
When will the NBA draft be held?
The NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 22nd, 2023, and will be televised on ABC/ESPN, starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Who is favored to be drafted first overall?
Victor Wembanyama is a massive favorite to be selected with the first overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs, and he's also the overwhelming favorite in the futures markets to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Who was drafted first overall in 2022?
Paolo Banchero was selected as the first overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2022 NBA Draft, and he subsequently earned the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Interestingly, Banchero was not initially favored to be chosen first overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Last year, on the day of the draft, we witnessed some of the most remarkable line movement ever between Jabari Smith Jr. and Banchero.
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