NBA Draft Odds, Picks & Best Bets 2023 — Who’s Next After Wembanyama?

• Looking at 2023 NBA Draft props ahead of Thursday’s event in Brooklyn
• After Victor Wembanyama, who should be taken second?
• See below for various NBA Draft props, predictions, and our best bets

Perhaps, more than ever, hitting on your draft picks is crucial for success in today’s NBA.

With crippling sanctions against teams that go over the cap — especially in that second apron — any iteration of a super team is going to need cheap, effective talent to make a title run.

And that brings us to Brooklyn Thursday night, where generation next of NBA talent is brought into the league.

Barring a major miracle, we know Victor Wembanyama is going first to the Spurs. From there? It’s pretty wide open.

Let’s run down some of our favorite NBA draft odds, and which way we’re leaning.

We’ll start with the following act for Wemby.

2023 NBA Draft 2nd-Overall Pick Odds

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Odds as of June 21 at DraftKings. Get a DraftKings promo code to bet on the 2023 NBA Draft

The Buzz is Brandon Miller

Maybe I’m the only one that thinks it’s hilarious that noted horrendous evaluator of basketball talent Michael Jordan asked that Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson return to Charlotte for a second workout.

The NBA Draft starts at #2 with the Hornets.

Will Charlotte go with G League point guard Scoot Henderson or Alabama freshman forward Brandon Miller?@jkylemann loves the idea of pairing Scoot with LaMelo Ball. pic.twitter.com/nsCONwOuR3

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 18, 2023

Charlotte’s draft record is sketch, and the only real asset on the roster is LaMelo Ball. Scoot-Melo as a backcourt would be a lot of fun, but the Hornets reportedly want the one-and-done Miller.

He averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in 37 games for Alabama, including a smooth 38.4% from downtown. Miller’s offcourt baggage is large, but why would that bother Jordan? Talent evaluation aside, this is his swan song before selling off his ownership stake in the Hornets.

Pick: Brandon Miller (-500)

Jaquez Jr Undervalued as Senior

After the first three picks, the rest of the field is very good, with a bevy of plug-and-play options and undoubtedly an all-star or two lurking in the mix.

We’re sharing a few of our favorite draft position player picks, starting with a senior star trying to shake the “too old” stigma.

2023 NBA Player Draft Position Odds

Jaime Jaquez Jr is, at worst, a rotation player for whoever drafts him. He put up 17.8 points and 8.2 rebounds for the UCLA Bruins, though he shot just 31.7% from distance on less than three takes per game.

The other thing going against him is his age. As a senior, the 22-year-old is almost automatically considered less appealing than the teenagers in the field, who present better upside.

If Heat culture doesn’t nab him at 18, he slides nicely onto a Memphis roster picking 25th, who need to replace the wing depth that left with Brooks.

Pick: Jaquez Jr OVER 23.5 draft position (-250)

On the same day he got the invite to the #NBADraft green room, Jaime Jaquez Jr. joined @ESPNAshley on SportsCenter LA to talk about the draft, his Mexican-American heritage and more. The @UCLAMBB star and @pac12 Player of the Year pic.twitter.com/aoJMsK5Qmu

— Tyler Drohan (@drohantyler) June 21, 2023

Dereck Lively is a pick-and-roll dream, and the Duke big man could eventually work his way into an offensive hub at the elbow or top of the key in the right environment.

The numbers aren’t there yet, as he averaged just 5.2 points, 5.2 rounds and 2.4 blocks in his lone year with the Blue Devils.

However, after the resurgence of the big man in the playoffs (Jokic, Bam, Davis and Embiid), it might not be more in vogue than to zag for a big, while everyone is zigging for athletic wings.

Unfortunately, the only legit landing spots for him before 11 are with Indiana at no. 7, and Dallas at no. 10.

Pick: Lively OVER 10.5 draft position (-250)

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Amen vs Ausar: Which Thompson Goes First?

They’ll almost surely be the first twin brothers to get selected in the top 10 of the NBA Draft, but it’s more difficult trying to figure out who will get taken first on Thursday night.

2022 NBA Draft Head-to-Head Player Odds

Ausur isn’t ball dominant, makes an impact on both ends of the floor, and can develop his offense, particularly his shooting, in the coming years. He put up 16.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists with Overtime Elite.

Amen is a point guard’s point guard, with a modern athletic twist. While his vision and passing are his greatest strength, he’ll have to work to get his jumper pro-ready. He also averaged 16.3 points with Overtime Elite, with 6.2 assists and 6.4 rebounds.

It probably makes more sense for Houston at no. 4 to take a setup man, but they do have Kevin Porter Jr in the mix, and a potential reunion with James Harden.

Adding another talented wing never hurts, especially one working as a primary ball handler. Ausur’s game translates to more teams, and perhaps a greater shot at going before his bro. Those odds make it worth the gamble.

Pick: Ausar Thompson (+280)