NBA Draft Odds 2022: First Pick Betting Lines & NBA Draft Information

When it comes to betting on basketball, it is a 365-day sport now. With the NBA, WNBA, college hoops, overseas basketball and the offseason events like the NBA Draft, you can always bet on basketball. There are more betting markets than ever on the NBA Draft, which makes it a fun offseason betting event.

The NBA Draft has been a very popular betting event in recent years, and with the new legislation in many states allowing for legal sports betting, there will be more and more betting on the NBA Draft going forward. With this year’s draft taking place with the most states available to wager than ever before, it will be quite the event for legal sports betting.

Here is a look at the betting odds for who will be the first overall pick in the next NBA Draft.

Betting Markets available at BetMGM for the 2022 NBA Draft

The NBA Draft is one of the best offseason markets to wager on for basketball bettors, and the 2022 draft will be quite the popular one after the first overall pick. At BetMGM, there are many draft markets available to wager on that you may not be aware of. Here they are:

• First Overall Pick
• Second Overall Pick
• Third Overall Pick
• Fourth Overall Pick
• Top 3 – Exact Order
• Top 4 – Exact Order
• Player Props – Draft Position Over/Unders
• and more

Check out BetMGM for the latest NBA Draft odds.

NBA Draft First Overall Pick Odds

Here was a look at the top favorites in terms of odds to be selected first overall in the 2021 NBA Draft. As the 2022 NBA Draft approaches, these lines will update.

For a full list of odds, check out BetMGM Sportsbook as they have posted the NBA Draft odds for 2021.

NBA Draft History

A look at the NBA Draft’s history, including first overall picks by year, most first overall picks, and more.

First Overall Pick By Year – NBA Draft

Every first overall pick since 2000.

Colleges with Most Number One Overall Picks – NBA Draft

Here are the schools with the most first overall picks in NBA Draft history.

Franchises with Most Number One Overall Picks – NBA Draft

A look at which franchises have had the most first overall picks.

Biggest NBA Draft Busts

A look at some recent number one overall draft picks that are seen as “busts”.

Anthony Bennett, UNLV

In the 2013 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett from UNLV. This pick surprised basically everyone in the basketball community, as Victor Oladipo, Nerlens Noel, and other players were expected to go over him. Bennett only “played” four years in the NBA and scored a total of 658 points. In 151 NBA games, he averaged 4.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The Cleveland Cavaliers selected first overall the following year.

Greg Oden, Ohio State

With the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected center Greg Oden from Ohio State to be their big man of the future. Unfortunately, Oden could never overcome his injuries and played just 105 NBA games. The pick directly after Oden? Kevin Durant.

Markelle Fultz, Washington

While Fultz may not be a “bust” in the sense of others on this list, he may turn out to be one of the most bizarre NBA Draft stories in the history of basketball. Markelle Fultz was a can’t-miss guard prospect from Washington who could do it all. He could shoot, get to the basket, facilitate, play top-tier perimeter defense, and was one of the better athletes in college basketball. The Philadelphia 76ers traded to the top overall spot to select him to pair with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to create a monster three-star lineup. Then the amazing happened. Fultz had physical problems with his shoulder that may or may not have caused mental problems with his ability to shoot the basketball. The full story has never been confirmed, but Fultz has yet to become a shell of what he was at Washington and was traded to the Orlando Magic after just 33 games as a Sixer. He is not a “full” bust in the sense of the word, as Fultz averaged 12 points, three rebounds, and five assists in his first season with the Magic. Also, he did notch a triple-double, at least.

NBA Draft Odds Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the first overall pick in the NBA Draft last year?

Cade Cunningham was the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Who will be drafted first overall this year?

The likely candidates to be drafted first overall this year are Paulo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, or Jalen Duren.

Was LeBron James a first overall pick?

Yes. In the 2003 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James first overall out of high school.

Did Michael Jordan get drafted first overall?

No. Michael Jordan was drafted third overall in the 1984 NBA Draft. Hakeem Olajuwon from Houston was selected first, and Sam Bowie from Kentucky was selected ahead of Jordan.