The 2021 NBA Draft is Thursday night -- about a month later than usual -- from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, two rounds per usual. While perhaps missing a sure-fire superstar like a Zion Williamson or Anthony Davis, the Class of 2021 is thought to be one of the deepest in years even if the quality of international prospects is a bit down. Probably no Luka Doncic in that group.
The Detroit Pistons won the NBA Draft lottery and will pick first overall -- presuming no trade -- for the first time since selecting future Hall of Fame center Bob Lanier out of St. Bonaventure in 1970. The Pistons, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic had equal 14 percent chances of winning the lottery. Houston picks second and Orlando slipped to fifth.
Toronto was a big winner as it moved up from seventh had chalk held in the lottery to fourth. Minnesota was a loser as it would have kept its first-round pick had it been in the Top 3 but it landed at No. 7 and is now Golden State's because of the Andrew Wiggins trade. The Warriors have two lottery picks: That one and No. 14 and reportedly are ready to trade those, among other assets (including Wiggins) to Washington for All-Star guard Bradley Beal. There should be a lot of trade action Thursday night with the very abbreviated offseason on deck.
As of this writing, four teams have zero picks Thursday: Minnesota, Portland, Dallas and Miami. Oklahoma City has the most with six, three of them first-rounders. Reigning NBA champion Milwaukee has the 31st overall pick, which is the first of the second round.
Before locking in any 2021 NBA Draft prop bets, you'll definitely want to see what SportsLine writer/handicapper Matt Severance has to say. In last year's draft, he correctly predicted the exact order of the Top 3: Anthony Edwards to the Timberwolves, James Wiseman to the Warriors and eventual Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball to the Hornets. This past NBA season, he returned $1,500 on his game picks.
Now he's turned his attention to the 2021 NBA Draft and has revealed his best prop bets.
We'll give one of Severance's best bets away: Baylor guard Davion Mitchell Over 9.5 draft position priced -140 at William Hill Sportsbook. A win on that wager means that Mitchell can't be picked before 10th. While Baylor doesn't win the national title without Mitchell, the fact that he's going to be 23 years old in September is working against him in draft rooms. Just for a point of reference, the Mavericks' Doncic, the early betting favorite for 2022 NBA MVP, won't even be 23 until next February and has been in the NBA for three seasons.
Severance is also releasing a handful of other props, including a parlay worth nearly 23/1! You ABSOLUTELY need to see his picks before locking in any NBA Draft prop selections.
What are the best NBA Draft prop bets you can make? And which props should you hammer for a 23/1 parlay payout? ... Join SportsLine right now to see the top NBA Draft prop bets you need to jump on, all from the premier NBA expert!
GET VEGAS EXPERT PICKS FOR NFL, MLB, NBA, CBB, GOLF, NHL, HORSE RACING AND MORE - PLUS ADVANCED COMPUTER SIMULATIONS, WINNING TOOLS, AND MORE!
