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2020 NBA Draft Props – See Odds on When Players Will Be Selected

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in NBA Basketball

Updated Dec 19, 2022 · 3:37 PM PST

James Wiseman wearing blazer and Warriors hat on draft night
Golden State Warriors draft pick James Wiseman in San Francisco, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
  • The 2020 NBA Draft goes November 18
  • Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman jockeying as 1st overall options
  • We look at the draft position odds, and make our predictions below

In these very different times, we’re going to see dreams come true in a virtual format for the 2020 NBA Draft.

There’s the race for the No. 1 overall pick, where there is no consensus other than LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman are the players most likely to earn that top nod.

You can check those NBA Draft odds here, but we’re delving into the draft position odds, where we’re trying to find you the best value bets. Let’s roll.

NBA Draft Position Odds

Player Draft Position Over Odds Under Odds
Anthony Edwards 1.5 -194 +154
James Wiseman 2.5 -115 -105
LaMelo Ball 2.5 +225 -290
Obi Toppin 4.5 -188 +152
Deni Avdija 4.5 +114 -140
Onyeka Okongwu 6.5 +154 -192
Killian Hayes 7.5 -144 +118
Tyrese Haliburton 7.5 +118 -144
Isaac Okoro 9.5 +205 -260
Patrick Williams 9.5 +132 -162
Devin Vassell 11.5 +100 -122
Aaron Nesmith 12.5 -128 +104
Kira Lewis Jr 14.5 +104 -128
Saddiq Bey 14.5 -105 -115
RJ Hampton 15.5 -106 -114
Precious Achiuwa 15.5 +112 -138
Tyrese Maxey 16.5 -110 -110
Josh Green 19.5 -120 -102
Cole Anthony 20.5 -172 +140
Jaden McDaniels 24.5 -102 -120
Tre Jones 29.5 -128 +104

Odds from FanDuel taken on November 15

Anthony Edwards Or Bust

He’s the only player on the board with a total predicting first overall or not.

There’s probably no player as NBA-ready as Edwards in both physical stature and game polish. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder averaged 19.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in his lone year at Georgia, drawing comps to scoring studs like Donovan Mitchell and Victor Oladipo.

A couple of red flags though: he shot just 29.4% from the three-point range, and 40.2% from the field last year. While shooting is something that can be remedied, the other part to this is his desire. Unfortunately, Edwards critics liken his attitude to another first overall pick who has all the tools but lacks the fire: Andrew Wiggins.

The pick: Edwards OVER 1.5 draft position (-194)

Liking LaMelo

Edwards’ reign at the top of mock boards has been taken over by LaMelo Ball as we approach the real draft.

Lonzo’s younger bro is revered for his star-caliber passing ability, size and length (he’s 6-foot-7), with the basketball IQ to run point at the next level. Like Edwards, and most young star players, his defense is a work in progress.

So is his shooting. Though he averaged 17 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists, he shot a ghastly 37.5% from the field and 25% from three in an Aussie pro league.

The Timberwolves are also the ultimate wild card. This is a franchise that once passed on Steph Curry for Johnny Flynn and Ricky Rubio. They also have a lead guard in D’Angelo Russell, so of course they’d double up at the position.

The pick: Ball UNDER 2.5 draft position (-290)

Wiseman A Warrior?

Golden State sticks out like a sore thumb in this lottery. A season-ending injury to Klay Thompson and an almost season-long injury to Steph Curry sent the franchise spinning, from five straight Finals appearances to the second overall pick in the draft. That’s a precipitous fall.

While the top-three prospects are good, there are no consensus all-NBA talents in the Zion Williamson “born star” range. Can the Warriors swing a deal to get fully loaded for this season? Or is there a player who can bridge the vets and hopefully extend their contending window?

James Wiseman would fit everything they need: a 7-foot-1 athletic beast who can run the floor, finish pick-and-rolls with force while providing some rim protection.

YouTube video

But again, hard to gauge a guy who played just three games in college, without the full evaluation teams usually get to have predraft. GState holds things tight to the vest, with few tasty trade rumors. It could still happen, but I’m guessing any trade comes with Wiseman already in at #2.

The pick: Wiseman UNDER 2.5 draft position (-105)

Totals You Should Be Targeting

Deni Avdija: He’ll be the first Israeli-born lottery pick and is considered the top international player on the board. He’s also thought of in some circles to potentially be the most talented player in this draft. He’s a true point-forward that can handle, pass and shoot. After the consensus-three, I don’t see him falling any further. UNDER 4.5 draft position (-140).

Obi Toppin: Considered one of the safest picks of the lottery, the reigning Naismith Player of the Year had a monster season at Dayton, cut short by COVID-19. The 6-foot-9 power forward averaged 20 points and 7.5 board in his sophomore season on a crisp 63.3% from the field, and an impressive 39% from three-point range. He’s a stretch forward with strength that probably won’t fall further than fifth. OVER 4.5 Draft Position (+114).

Patrick Williams: He’s been the darling of predraft workouts and hype, essentially moving into lottery position. The 6-foot-8 freshman at worst is a 3-and-D guy, but I don’t see him breaking the top 10, even with The Athletic’s John Hollinger reporting the Pistons promised drafting him seventh. OVER 9.5 draft position (+132).

Cole Anthony: Son of former NBAer Greg Anthony, a sorry season at North Carolina sent his draft stock plummeting. We all know how situation can shade someone the wrong way. Anthony was a top-3 projected pick before the season, and he still averaged 18.5 points and shot a decent 34.8% from three. A smart team will take an early flier. UNDER 20.5 draft position (+140).

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