Mark Halmas/Icon Sportswire
Author: Anthony Vlahovic
Last Updated: 16 April, 2025
2025 NBA Draft - Early Favorites To Be Selected 1st Overall
The 2024 NBA Draft class is about to wrap up their first regular season, but NBA fans and executives are already looking ahead to the 2025 Draft class. Many believe the 2025 class could be one of the best we've seen in years, with Duke freshman Cooper Flagg leading that group. Below, fans can stay up-to-date on the betting odds for which player will be chosen with the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
2025 NBA First Draft Pick - Best Odds
Player | Current Best Odds |
|---|---|
Cooper Flagg | -2500 (BetRivers) |
Dylan Harper | +1800 (Bet365) |
Ace Bailey | +5000 (Bet365) |
VJ Edgecombe | +6000 (Bet365) |
Kasparas Jakucionis | +10,000 (Bet365) |
Tre Johnson | +10,000 (BetRivers) |
Derik Queen | +10,000 (BetRivers*) |
Nolan Traore | +12,500 (Bet365) |
Liam McKneeley | +15,000 (Bet365) |
*Odds as of April 16, 2025
* = the same odds are offered by multiple sportsbooks.
2025 NBA First Draft Pick - Top 5 Contenders
Player | School/Team | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Cooper Flagg | Duke | -6600 | -2500 |
Dylan Harper | Rutgers | +1800 | +800 |
Ace Bailey | Rutgers | +5000 | +2500 |
VJ Edgecombe | Baylor | +6000 | +4000 |
Tre Johnson | Texas | +7500 | +10,000 |
*Odds as of April 16, 2025.
2025 1st Pick Favorites
Cooper Flagg (Duke Blue Devils): It's been no secret that multiple NBA franchises have been trying to align themselves for the best chance to land Cooper Flagg in the draft. The number one recruit in his class has been a sensation for quite a few years, and after deciding to attend Duke this season, he lived up to those expectations.
Flagg has been labeled as an effortless scorer, and NBA players got a glimpse of that when Flagg showed up at Team USA's Olympic training camp and made multiple jaw-dropping plays. That scoring ability and his ability to impact the game in other ways were on full display all year, as Flagg averaged 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on the way to leading Duke to the Final Four.
Dylan Harper (Rutgers Scarlet Knights): Harper is one half of the top-ranked prospect duo that attended Rutgers this season. While the Scarlet Knights did not have the year many were hoping for or expected, Harper still showed he is a premier NBA prospect. In 29 games, Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while also shooting 48.4% from the field.
Ace Bailey (Rutgers Scarlet Knights): The other half of the top-ranked duo is Bailey, as the 6'10 wing can score from anywhere on the floor and has an innate ability to create his own shot. While he may take some ill-advised shots at times, NBA teams view Bailey as an elite-level scoring threat. In his freshman season, Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Not to mention he also recorded three 30+ point games and seven double-doubles.
Betting odds: Which Team Will Select Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft
Team | ESPN Bet |
|---|---|
Washington Wizards | +500 |
Utah Jazz | +550 |
Charlotte Hornets | +600 |
New Orleans Pelicans | +600 |
Chicago Bulls | +700 |
Brooklyn Nets | +900 |
Philadelphia 76ers | +900 |
San Antonio Spurs | +900 |
Toronto Raptors | +900 |
*Odds as of April 16, 2025.
Past #1 Selections in the NBA Draft
Year | Player | Team | Opening odds | Closing odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Zaccharie Risacher | Atlanta Hawks | +275 | -550 |
2023 | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs | -2000 | -50000 |
2022 | Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic | +150 | -200 |
2021 | Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons | N/A | -8000 |
2020 | Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves | N/A | -125 |
2019 | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | N/A | -2500 |
2018 | Deandre Ayton | Phoenix Suns | N/A | -2500 |
2017 | Markelle Fultz | Philadelphia 76ers | N/A | -750 |
2016 | Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers | N/A | -650 |
2015 | Karl-Anthony Towns | Minnesota Timberwolves | N/A | -200 |
2014 | Andrew Wiggins | Cleveland Cavaliers | N/A | -250 |
Related articles & NBA betting resources
🔥 Hottest sportsbooks:
