The 2025 NBA Draft is officially here.
Day 1 will commence on Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. ET on ABC (or live stream via FuboTV free trial) with Day 2 following on Thursday. This story will cover a few different first-round markets where there may still be some value for bettors on the day of the draft.
2025 NBA Draft best bets
Here are 4 bets to consider for the 2025 NBA Draft:
Jeremiah Fears over/under draft position 6.5
The former Oklahoma guard is a bit polarizing, but he certainly has his fans within the NBA. He was the best player on a Sooners team that made the NCAA Tournament despite re-classifying up a cycle — that in and of itself is a remarkable accomplishment. Fears can get into the paint as well as anyone in this class and he showed signs of potentially being a good shooter down the line.
He’s been heavily mocked to Utah at No. 5 overall by leading experts in the days before the draft. Even if the Jazz don’t take him, he could be a fit for Washington — or a team trading up — at No. 6 overall.
Pick: Under draft position 6.5 (-110 on bet365)
Tre Johnson to be the No. 3 overall pick
With Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper more or less written into the top 2 picks in Sharpie, this draft really starts at No. 3 overall. Johnson is an underdog to be taken in this spot, with VJ Edgecombe and (to a lesser-extent) Ace Bailey seen as more likely options.
But I think you’re getting a lot of value with FanDuel’s number on this prop at +550. Most of the market is at +350 or +400 on Johnson being picked No. 3. Johnson had a tremendous freshman season at Texas where he showcased himself as one of the best shooters in this class. He also measured with a 6-foot-11 wingspan at the combine, giving him the requisite physical tools to develop into an excellent 2-way wing. The 76ers, should they keep this pick, need to win now while also preparing for the eventual post-Joel Embiid era. Johnson gives them the best opportunity to strike that balance.
Pick: Tre Johnson to be the No. 3 overall pick (+500 on FanDuel)
First player drafted: Thomas Sorber vs. Asa Newell
Asa Newell had a very productive season during his lone year at Georgia, but I’m on the other side of this prop. Thomas Sorber was a surprise one-and-done at Georgetown and profiles as a rim protector who can make smart, quick decisions with the ball on the offensive side of the floor. With apologies to 3-point shooting, that’s arguably the best combination of skills a modern big can have in the NBA.
Newell just isn’t as far along in his development on either side of the ball. His wingspan is significantly smaller than Sorber’s and he lags behind in offensive skill as well. Sober does have one red flag — a surgically-repaired left foot that ended his season in February. But at close to plus money, I think Sorber is a strong bet to be picked ahead of Newell.
Pick: Thomas Sorber to be picked before Asa Newell (-110 on bet365)
Nique Clifford to be a top-20 pick
Draft order always determines a lot of outcomes, particularly as we get further down the board. As the consensus top players get picked, the range of opinions on players starts to get wider. Some teams look for upside, some look for fit. This draft just so happens to break extremely well for Clifford’s top-20 potential. I could see his range starting as early as No. 14 to the Spurs. He’d be a fit with any of the next 3 teams on the board (Oklahoma City, Memphis and Minnesota) as well. Miami at pick 20 could also take a long look at Clifford, as could whoever inevitably trades for pick No. 19 from Brooklyn (the Nets now have 5 first-round picks in this draft as of publication).
Clifford is arguably one of the most NBA-ready players in this class. All teams are looking for 6-6 wings who can shoot and defend. He fits that bill while also adding some playmaking upside (4.4 assists per game) and physicality (9.6 rebounds per game). He’s an older prospect, yes, but the teams in the back half of the top 20 are going to be looking for immediate production. There’s enough potential landing spots that I feel good about him going in the top-20.Â
Pick: Nique Clifford to be a top-20 pick (-110 on BetMGM)
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
