Anthony Edwards Remains Odds-On Favorite to Be Selected #1 Overall After Timberwolves Win NBA Draft Lottery
- After the NBA Draft Lottery, the Minnesota Timberwolves hold the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft
- Georgia’s Anthony Edwards is the odds-on favorite to be selected first overall at -110
- See updated draft odds for all eligible prospects with a chance to go #1 in the story below
The NBA Draft order is now set, with the Minnesota Timberwolves picking first overall on October 16th. Unlike most years, there is not a clear number one overall selection in this draft – there are a few players that could hear their name called first by Adam Silver.
Anthony Edwards has stayed a consistent favorite in NBA draft odds to be selected first overall. James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball sit behind Edwards at +200 and +300, respectively.
With the Timberwolves winning the Draft Lottery, is Edwards still a lock to go first overall? Do the Wolves take a chance on Ball with the number one overall pick? Let’s take a look at which prospects pose the best value leading up to the 2020 NBA Draft.
2020 NBA Draft First Overall Pick Odds
| Player | Odds at FanDuel |
|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | -110 |
| James Wiseman | +200 |
| LaMelo Ball | +300 |
| Deni Avdija | +1300 |
| Obi Toppin | +1300 |
| Killian Hayes | +2500 |
| Cole Anthony | +4000 |
| Onyeka Okongwu | +1300 |
| Isaac Okoro | +5000 |
Odds taken August 21st
Is Edwards Still a Lock at No. 1?
In essentially every NBA Mock Draft out there, Anthony Edwards goes first overall. With the Timberwolves locked into the first pick – for the time being – it wouldn’t be the worst place for the former Georgia guard to end up.
The trio of D’Angelo Russell, Karl Anthony-Towns, and Anthony Edwards could be very successful in the years to come. Minnesota experimented with Andrew Wiggins for years, who Edwards has drawn some comparisons to. However, this eager 19-year-old has all the potential in the world.
Edwards is the right choice at number one, for any team. From an offensive standpoint, Edwards can do everything. He’s the best slasher in the draft and when he dials in, he is a problem from beyond the arc.
Anthony Edwards is the top guy for me in the draft among the top prospects:
Create shots, attack a defense from all over the floor, push the pace, make shots and get buckets. His eyes light up when it’s big money time. Oh and he’s 6’5 and athletic?! pic.twitter.com/T3cuhqCxty
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) August 21, 2020
He averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in his lone season with the Bulldogs – not to mention, he shot 40 percent from the field.
His shooting percentage isn’t eye-popping, but you need to think about how much he was relied on to score for the woeful Bulldogs in the SEC.
Ball Could Fall Out of Top Three
With Edwards as the front runner to be the first player taken, that leaves a discussion for the second overall pick. The Golden State Warriors are slotted in the second spot with one of the most prolific backcourts in the NBA in Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
Ball has the talent to be selected second overall, but is it realistic? James Wiseman could the reliable big man the Warriors have been looking for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdN6R1t7lOc
Playing in Australia with the Illawarra Hawks for the past year, Ball averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. Ball flipped flopped playing in a few different places the last few years, but wherever he ended up he played well.
After playing just three games with Memphis, James Wiseman decided to sit out for the rest of his NCAA career and focus on the NBA Draft. In his three games with the Tigers, Wiseman averaged 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds. At 7’1″ Wiseman is insanely athletic and could be the player to propel the Warriors back to championship caliber.
Is James Wiseman the smartest possible pick for the Warriors? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/RZ683jprfq
— Warriors Nation (@WarriorNationCP) August 19, 2020
Although Ball could be a better prospect in terms of experience, I can’t see the Warriors passing up on Wiseman. Drafting Ball could create some problems with a crowded backcourt. If Ball misses out on the top two selections he could drop to the Hornets at three, which would be great for both parties.
Best Bet & Sleeper Pick
In my previous NBA Draft piece back in April, I mentioned that Israel’s Deni Avdija will turn some heads on draft day. At 6’9″ this kid is a special talent. Drawing comparisons to Luka Doncic in terms of his ability to see the floor and pass the basketball as a forward, he was also a successful pro overseas.
https://twitter.com/SKPearlman/status/1296256544267542530
With the success of Doncic in the NBA, the Wolves could take a flyer and pick Avdija first overall. He is more of a raw prospect than Doncic was coming into the league, but still shouldn’t be all too surprising if it happens. At +1300, there is no question you should put a small wager on the Israeli youngster.
Without question, I think Edwards will go first overall, especially if Minnesota keeps the pick. I don’t think Ball and Russell would mesh very well and I think Edwards is more of need at this point than Wiseman is for the Timberwolves.
Best Bet: Anthony Edwards (-110)
Sleeper Pick: Deni Avdija (+1300)
With 5+ years of sports journalism under his belt, Ryan Sura may be young, but he's already making his mark. Ryan is the lead NHL editor at SBD, along with managing content for MMA, Boxing, and Racing. He is also the commercial manager, highlighting the best promos at online sportsbooks across US.
