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Find out how to bet on the NBA Draft online with our in-depth betting guide. Check out what kind of bets you can place, with some tips and tricks ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Please note: Betting on the NBA Draft is legal in the following states only: AZ, AK, CO, IL, IA, LA, NV, NH, NJ, MI, OR, RI, TN, WV, WY.
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2022 NBA Draft: The Preview#
Draft day is finally here. After years of evaluating the prospects in this class, the 2022 NBA Draft has arrived with plenty of uncertainty throughout the first round. The Orlando Magic are on the clock at No. 1 overall, and it’s looking like their pick is set.
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The Big Three of Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, and Duke’s Paolo Banchero have been going round in circles, with Smith now the likely favorite to head to Florida. What might this mean for the Sacramento Kings at No. 4 if Banchero and Holmgren are taken in the top three?
For fans of the NBA, especially of the Magic, the New York Post will be tracking every twist and turn until the first name is announced at the Barclays Center podium Thursday, and you can get your hands on some great betting bonuses for the 2022 NBA draft.
Our NBA expert guides you through all you need to know about betting on the 2022 NBA Draft, from the types of markets available to a few useful tips and tricks to help get you some more bang for your buck.
Most Common NBA Draft Bets#
There are a wide range of different NBA Draft markets for you to wager your money on, however, we understand that they can sometimes be confusing. The Post goes through some of the markets offered and explains them below.
First Overall Pick
No doubt everyone’s eyes will be fixed on who the No. 1 overall pick is in the draft. When you visit any of the best NBA Draft betting sites, you’ll likely see this market at the forefront of their draft selections.
For this wager, you are betting on who will be selected first overall in the draft, with this year’s first pick belonging to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The market for the first overall draft pick would look something like this:
As you can see, it is often the case that there is an outright heavy favorite, with this year’s favorite being Jabari Smith This would be due to the team who holds the No. 1 pick, and their needs for their roster.
The only thing that matters with this market is whether the player you’re betting on is drafted first overall or not. This bet does not take into account the player’s position or the team which drafts them, just solely if they are the first pick in the draft.
As well as “first played drafted” markets, there are also second and third player drafted markets as well. In this instance, you will only need to focus on the players that are drafted second and third, not the teams or position they play, however it’ll be important to consider the teams that have the second and third overall picks when.
Top 10 Draft Pick
Another popular betting market for the NBA draft, is whether or not certain players will be taken in the top 10 of the draft. This is a great market for finding value, as often there are late trades and shock picks, making the draft almost impossible to predict.
If you think you’ve found some value in a player not fancied to be taken in the top 10, then it’s worth having a look at this market.
Player Over/Under Picks
Have you got a favorite player in this years draft? Then here is where you can get behind them. Sports betting sites will offer over/under bets on players to be taken above or below a specific pick, and will look something like this.
Nikola Jovic Draft Position
Once more, there is plenty of value to be found here, given the odds of a player being taken earlier than expected are often very good.
Live Draft Betting
Live betting, or in-play, comes into its own for the NBA Draft. As teams draft players, the odds and lines are constantly changing, with surprises a regular occurrence in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Online sportsbooks will have markets on the next player to be drafted which will be constantly updated throughout the draft. Expect last minute trades, unexpected selections and plenty more.
- Check out the best live betting sites
Where can you bet on the NBA Draft? #
Certain states prohibit bettors from wagering on the NBA Draft, classifying the draft as a non-sporting event. New York is amongst six legal online betting states where you cannot bet on the NBA Draft.
Listed below are the states in which betting on the NBA Draft 2022 is legal:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Michigan
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Please Note: Bettors in New York, Connecticut, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Washington DC and Virginia cannot bet on the NBA Draft 2022.
NBA Draft Betting Tips & Tricks#
Pay attention to Mock drafts
The NBA Draft has gained popularity in the past decade and there are a number of sources dedicated to reading the tea leaves and projecting the proper order of players selected in the NBA Draft. These mock drafts are a great place to start your NBA Draft handicapping.
- Check out our expert’s latest NBA mock draft
News and Rumors
Keep your ear to the ground when it comes to draft news and rumors. Make sure to follow the NBA insiders and draft analysts on social media and get the latest takes and rumblings from team head offices, especially as it pertains to potential trades and teams moving up in the draft order.
Wait until late
The juiciest and most actionable information for betting on the NBA Draft comes out in the 48 hours before Round 1, and right up until the last minute.
Team’s picks and plans can often leak to the media within this window, allowing you to beat your bookies to the punch before they pull the odds off the board. Some sportsbooks are required to close NBA Draft betting within this two-day window, so make sure you know the house rules at your respective betting site of choice.
How to bet on the NBA Draft FAQs#
When is the 2022 NBA Draft?
The NBA Draft 2022 will take place on Thursday, June 23 at 8 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Who are the best players in the 2022 NBA Draft?
The top stars in this years NBA draft are Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, a rail-thin but nail-tough seven-footer who can seemingly do it all. Auburn big man Jabari Smith, who spent this past season sinking seemingly impossible shots, is favorite to go No. 1 overall. Let’s not forget Duke’s Paolo Banchero, a creative shotmaker who is as polished in the paint as he is on the perimeter.
Where can I bet on the NBA Draft?
Many of the best sports betting sites will offer a range of markets for the NBA Draft. Check out the best sports betting sites to see which offers you can claim ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft.
- Check out the best sports betting sites USA
How can I watch the NBA Draft?
The entirety of the 2022 NBA Draft will be broadcast across ABC and ESPN as well as streamed on NBA.com.












