The Golden State Warriors had hardly finished celebrating their 2022 NBA title when the focus of the league turned to the next NBA betting season.
The 2022 NBA Draft is scheduled for Thursday night at Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY), the aftermath adjusting wagering odds for the 2023 title.
Smith Favored to Go No. 1
The Orlando Magic have the first selection in this year’s NBA Draft, and if rumors are to be believed, Auburn’s Jabari Smith will be the choice. According to NBA Draft odds, Smith is currently listed at a prohibitive -180 price.
Smith, a 6-foot-10 forward, averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.1 steals in 2021-22, his lone season with the Tigers. He is extremely athletic, and known to make highlight-reel plays at the rim. He shot 42% from the 3-point range.
If not Smith, many believe Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren is the pick. Holmgren is listed at +150 to go No. 1 to the Magic after his outstanding freshman season with the Bulldogs.
The 7-footer is thought by many to be the top player available in the draft, averaging 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks for Gonzaga. However, at 195 pounds, there are questions about how well he’ll handle the physical game of the NBA.
Other possibilities for the top selection include Duke forward Paolo Banchero (+750), Purdue guard Jaden Ivey (+10000) and Kentucky guard Shaedon Sharpe (+10000).
The Oklahoma City Thunder are selecting second Thursday night, then the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons. Dertroit took Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft.
Futures Are Looking Ahead to NBA 2022-23
The end of one season inevitably brings the BetUs sportsbook futures odds for the next season, and the NBA is no different. The Golden State Warriors have already been installed as favorites to repeat, as per NBA odds.
The team’s nucleus of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green is aging a bit, but there are young complementary players as well, all of whom saying they want to remain with the team. There are seven unrestricted free agents on their roster, including Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney and Otto Porter Jr. Each of the aforementioned contributed significant minutes in the NBA Finals win over the Boston Celtics.
The (very) early NBA odds have the Warriors as +450 favorites to repeat and win their fifth title in nine seasons. The Celtics are next at +600, with the Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers each listed at +650 to win.
Boston, after winning the Eastern Conference title, figures to return much of its roster. Brooklyn is hoping for better health for its stars, possibly even with guard Ben Simmon on the court. The Clippers are counting on Kawhi Leonard’s return after he missed the entire 2021-22 campaign.
Embiid is Leading ‘22-’23 NBA MVP Choice
The early pick to win the 2022-23 NBA MVP award is Philadelphia 76ers’ center Joel Embiid. He finished second the last two seasons. Embiid is listed at +500 to finally break through and take the most coveted individual award in the league.
As you might expect, there is plenty of competition for Embiid, with Luka Doncic. The Dallas Mavericks player is getting +600 odds to take the honors.
Next, two-time MVP winner Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is at +700, while two-time defending MVP award winner Nikola Jokic of Denver is priced at 9-1, or +900.
A couple of dark horses are Brooklyn Nets’ forward Kevin Durant and guard Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies, each at +1000.
Leaders of the defending conference champions are next, with the Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry. Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum both at +1600.
2022 NBA DRAFT – 1ST OVERALL DRAFT PICK
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jabari Smith | -170 |
| Chet Holmgren | +175 |
| Paolo Banchero | +140 |
| Shaedon Sharpe | +9000 |
| Jaden Ivey | +9000 |
| Keegan Murray | +18000 |
| Johnny Davis | +18000 |
| Dyson Daniels | +18000 |
| A.J. Griffin | +18000 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | +18000 |
| Jalen Duren | +18000 |
2022 NBA DRAFT – 2ND OVERALL DRAFT PICK
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Chet Holmgren | -175 |
| Jabari Smith | +140 |
| Paolo Banchero | +140 |
| Jaden Ivey | +2000 |
| Shaedon Sharpe | +4500 |
| Keegan Murray | +8000 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | +18000 |
| A.J. Griffin | +18000 |
| Dyson Daniels | +18000 |
| Johnny Davis | +18000 |
2022 NBA DRAFT – 3RD OVERALL DRAFT PICK
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Paolo Banchero | -400 |
| Chet Holmgren | +500 |
| Jaden Ivey | +800 |
| Keegan Murray | +1300 |
| Shaedon Sharpe | +1700 |
| Jabari Smith | +4500 |
| A.J. Griffin | +5000 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | +8000 |
| Jalen Duren | +12500 |
| Johnny Davis | +18000 |
| Dyson Daniels | +18000 |
| Jeremy Sochan | +18000 |
2022 NBA DRAFT – 4TH OVERALL DRAFT PICK
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jaden Ivey | -225 |
| Keegan Murray | +125 |
| Shaedon Sharpe | +700 |
| Dyson Daniels | +1300 |
| Paolo Banchero | +1800 |
| Chet Holmgren | +3000 |
| A.J. Griffin | +4500 |
| Johnny Davis | +7000 |
| Jalen Duren | +8000 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | +5500 |
| Ochai Agbaji | +8500 |
| Jeremy Sochan | +8500 |
2022 NBA DRAFT – 5TH OVERALL DRAFT PICK
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Keegan Murray | -150 |
| Shaedon Sharpe | +400 |
| Jaden Ivey | +150 |
| Dyson Daniels | +850 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | +500 |
| A.J. Griffin | +2000 |
| Paolo Banchero | +3000 |
| Jalen Duren | +3000 |
| Johnny Davis | +3600 |
| Chet Holmgren | +3000 |
| Jeremy Sochan | +5000 |
| Malaki Branham | +7000 |
| Ousmane Dieng | +7000 |
| E.J. Liddell | +7000 |
| Tari Eason | +7000 |
| Kennedy Chandler | +9000 |
| Jaden Hardy | +9000 |
| Blake Wesley | +9000 |
| Nikola Jovic | +10000 |
| Marjon Beauchamp | +9000 |
2022 NBA DRAFT – TO BE SELECTED IN THE TOP 10
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Shaedon Sharpe | -5000 |
| Dyson Daniels | -5000 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | -2500 |
| Johnny Davis | -250 |
| A.J. Griffin | +150 |
| Jalen Duren | -140 |
| Jeremy Sochan | +110 |
| Mark Williams | +275 |
| Ochai Agbaji | +225 |
| Malaki Branham | +400 |
| Ousmane Dieng | +125 |
| Tari Eason | +1800 |
| TyTy Washington | +1200 |
| Jalen Williams | +1600 |
| Nikola Jovic | +1600 |
| Marjon Beauchamp | +1800 |
| Walker Kessler | +5000 |
| Kendall Brown | +5000 |
| Kennedy Chandler | +5000 |
| Jaden Hardy | +2500 |
| E.J. Liddell | +5000 |
| Blake Wesley | +4000 |
| Caleb Houstan | +5000 |
| Trevor Keels | +5000 |
| Dalen Terry | +5000 |
