With the Finals now in the rearview and OKC crowned as the new champion, attention quickly shifts to what comes next. Dallas controls the first pick, and the buzz around the NBA Draft 2025 couldn’t be louder.
Cooper Flagg leads a class stacked with potential stars, but there’s serious competition behind him. Dylan Harper’s feel for the game, VJ Edgecombe’s two-way explosiveness, Ace Bailey’s upside, and Tre Johnson’s smooth shooting all make the top of the board a high-stakes puzzle. With so much talent in play, front offices face tough calls that could shift the league’s balance for years to come, and 2025 NBA Draft odds show just how tight the race at the top really is.
Barclays Center in Brooklyn will host this year’s NBA Draft, where 59 prospects will hear their names called across two nights, starting June 25 with the opening round, followed by round two on June 26. Dallas owns the top pick after a surprise lottery win, with San Antonio, Portland, Washington, and Charlotte rounding out the early order. For fans and bettors alike, this sets the stage for a highly anticipated 2025 NBA draft betting guide, packed with potential shake-ups and valuable markets to watch.
Eyes are now on bookies for NBA 2025 Draft, who are setting markets on everything from draft positions to head-to-head player matchups. Cooper Flagg remains the odds-on favorite to go first, but the picture grows more unpredictable with Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and VJ Edgecombe jockeying for top spots. Bettors can find shifting lines daily as teams conduct workouts and adjust their boards. Player-over-under props and team-specific wagers continue to gain traction as draft day nears.
| ℹ️ Event: | 2025 NBA Draft, Annual Pre-season Event |
| 🏟️ Venue: | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| 🗓️ Dates: | 25-26 June 2025 |
The NBA Draft is one of the most important events of the offseason. It gives teams a chance to rebuild by selecting the best young talent from college programs and international leagues. For players, it marks the start of their professional careers and the dream of joining the league.
The draft order begins with a lottery system used in 1985 to prevent teams from intentionally losing games. In 2019, the NBA changed the format to level the odds at the top. Now, the three teams with the worst records have a 14% chance of winning the first pick.
The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery will determine the order of the first four selections. After that, teams pick in reverse order of regular-season performance. The goal is to give struggling teams a fair shot at top talent while keeping the process competitive and transparent for everyone involved.
The latest odds from top basketball betting sites reveal where the top prospects stand heading into the 2025 NBA Draft. Here’s how the early favorites are lining up.
| Draft Players | 1st Pick Odds | 2nd Pick Odds | 3rd Pick Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Flagg | 1.00 (1/100) | 201.00 (200/1) | — |
| Dylan Harper | 201.00 (200/1) | 1.11 (1/9) | 31.00 (30/1) |
| Ace Bailey | 201.00 (200/1) | 31.00 (30/1) | 5.40 (22/5) |
| VJ Edgecombe | 251.00 (250/1) | 26.00 (25/1) | 1.33 (1/3) |
| Tre Johnson | — | — | 8.50 (15/2) |
Cooper Flagg enters the draft as the clear top choice thanks to his rare mix of defense, vision, and scoring ability. He plays with intensity, reads the game at a high level, and has the tools to impact both ends of the floor right away. Dallas gets a franchise cornerstone with long-term star potential—one that matches most NBA 2025 draft teams’ predictions for the No. 1 overall selection.
A creative lead guard with strong instincts, Dylan Harper controls the pace and breaks down defenses with ease. He’s a smart playmaker who isn’t afraid of big moments. Though his outside shot still needs work, his scoring touch and toughness at the rim keep him near the top. Most basketball betting sites have him locked in as the likely second pick, offering both safety and upside to any backcourt.
Long, athletic wing with natural scoring instincts, Ace Bailey brings a rare mix of size, touch, and explosiveness. Though some view this spot as flexible, most 2025 NBA Draft first-round expert predictions still have Bailey going early. His ability to create shots and finish in transition makes him one of the more intriguing talents in this class, especially for a team like Philadelphia looking to add offensive firepower on the wing.
V.J. Edgecombe is a high-energy two-way guard known for his explosive first step and ability to finish through contact. He defends with intensity, attacks downhill, and shows promise as a catch-and-shoot threat, making him a strong fit for today’s up-tempo game.
One more talent worth watching is Tre Johnson, a smooth scorer with a quick release and deep range, leading all freshmen in points and three-pointers. He’s more than just a shooter—his ability to create off the dribble and make plays for others makes him a strong option for a top-five selection.
In this next section, you can take a look at our pics for draft predictions NBA 2025.
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Derik Queen’s polished footwork and feel for the game make him one of the most technically sound bigs in this class. But with questions around his athletic ceiling, many 2025 NBA draft first-round expert predictions place him just outside the top 10. He’s still a strong long-term bet, but taking the over on 11.5 offers solid value for those expecting teams to prioritize his protection and versatility early.
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Cedric Coward has emerged as a compelling late-lottery option thanks to his polished jump shot, defensive instincts, and proven scoring touch from mid-major to Power Five basketball. Despite a limited sample of just six college games, his efficiency and two-way potential caught scouts’ attention. If he slips into the back half of the first round, betting on him landing in the Top 10 at 6.00 offers strong value, and few first-round sleepers bring his blend of skill and upside.
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This top-four order has gained serious traction with betting sites for NCAA Basketball, offering strong value for bettors expecting the board to fall in line. Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper are widely expected to go first and second, while Ace Bailey’s athletic upside and recent buzz have lifted him into the No. 3 spot. VJ Edgecombe’s defensive edge and rising stock make him a fitting close to this projected run.
As the clock winds down to draft night, all eyes are on which teams will make bold moves—and which picks will deliver real value. Whether you’re eyeing long shots or chalk favorites, these NBA Draft 2025 betting tips offer a solid starting point. Stay sharp, follow the odds closely, and trust your read on how the board unfolds.
