2020 NBA Draft odds, props, picks: Three best bets include James Wiseman as No. 2 overall pick
The 2020 NBA Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Here are three prop picks with odds from William Hill Sportsbook.
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It will be a most unusual 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, as it is being held nearly five months later than normal due to the coronavirus and will be staged virtually from ESPN headquarters because of COVID-19. The two-round draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET. Most experts agree there is one tier of prospects – Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman and LaMelo Bell in whichever order – that is above all others.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are on the clock, and the only other time they picked first overall was in 2015 with a slam-dunk choice: Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns, a perennial All-Star. There is no prospect considered at the level of Towns or 2019 No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson in this year's draft.
There are trade rumors swirling around currently, but 99.5 percent of those are likely smokescreens. All-Stars such as James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal are expected to stay put for now, but very good players such as Chicago's Zach LaVine could be in play for a 2020 first-round pick (and more in LaVine's case).
A total of four first-round picks have changed hands already this week and more could by draft time. Minnesota is thought to want to trade down, as is Golden State at No. 2. Teams reportedly being aggressive about trading up are the Knicks (who hold the No. 8 and 23 picks), Pistons (at No. 7) and Celtics (with three first-round selections, the earliest at No. 14).
Here are three William Hill Sportsbook prop selections this writer likes.
Earlier this week, the 7-footer who played just three games at Memphis this past season was a much longer shot to be picked second (Edwards was favored), but the consensus is that the Warriors will take him at No. 2 if they don't trade down, as they need help in the frontcourt but not at guard (i.e., not Edwards or Ball).
Charlotte and Chicago also are believed to covet Wiseman and could trade with the Dubs. One hot rumor is the Bulls trading the No. 4 overall pick and young big man Wendell Carter Jr., who was the No. 7 overall pick in 2018, to Golden State for the No. 2 selection to take Wiseman. He'll contribute immediately as a shot-blocker, rebounder and on alley-oops but needs work offensively.
Bettors also can get Wiseman at -270 on the Over/Under 2.5 draft position prop. In theory, players could wager Under there instead on the off chance Wiseman goes No. 1 to a team that might trade up with Minnesota. Just doubt the Wolves trade out.
Note: Warriors All-Star guard Klay Thompson suffered a lower leg on Wednesday (severity TBA), so that could have huge ramifications on what the Dubs do here and could mean a shift to LaMelo Ball.
Toppin was the consensus National Player of the Year last season at Dayton, including via CBS Sports. The power forward is considered the player most ready to contribute next season but at age 22 has a lower overall ceiling than other guys projected to be picked in the Top 10.
Statistically, Toppin should be the No. 1 overall pick considering what he did for the Flyers in 2019-20, but 22-year-olds rarely go in the Top 10 these days and when they do have a very iffy NBA history: Kris Dunn in 2016, Frank Kaminsky in 2015 to name two. Toppin was just 6-foot-5 entering his senior season in high school and wasn't highly recruited – he almost went to a junior college.
That said, the Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly have targeted Toppin with the No. 5 overall pick, and it's hard to see Toppin going before that. Assuming the "Big 3" are chosen in the first three picks, the Bulls don't need Toppin as he would be redundant on their team. Chicago is likely going Deni Avdija at No. 4 if the Bulls stay put.
This one seems too easy. Keep in mind that Ball is not considered a freshman because he didn't play college basketball. International players who played overseas also are not freshmen (those that played NCAA ball are, though).
Edwards, Wiseman, Southern Cal's Onyeka Okongwu and Auburn's Isaac Okoro all are ranked among the Top 10 prospects via the CBS Sports Big Board. However, that has Florida State freshman Patrick Williams ranked 13th, and by all accounts he's the fastest-rising player on the board and is a Top-10 lock (some rumors have the Bulls grabbing him at No. 4 or sliding back a few spots and still taking him). Williams would make this prop go Over.