NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
The NBA Finals only wrapped up a week or so ago, and we’re already looking ahead to next year. That’s mostly because tonight is the NBA Draft. This is one of my favorite days of the year in the sports calendar. I love the NBA, I love college basketball too, and tonight is where the worlds collide. This gives all teams a chance to strengthen their roster and get a game-changing piece for their team. It also gives us the opportunity to bet and make money.
AJ Dybantsa announces the NBA Draft during an event at Davis K-8 School in Brockton, Mass., on April 23, 2026. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe/Getty Images)
The Obvious Choice
The first three picks, likely in this order, will be AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa will end up with the Wizards as the first overall pick. There is no profit in betting to -700, and the US-based bookies will not allow you to play him with other options (or indeed any games for that matter). However, there may be some value in betting Peterson at -250 to be the No. 2 overall pick. The reason is that if Dybantsa was not in the draft, Peterson would have been the first choice.
Cameron Boozer is a great player, but there are a lot of questions about how good he will be as a coach. Rumor has it that he will end up with the Grizzlies in third place. His father, Carlos Boozer, played for the Jazz, so if anyone goes to second base, it would be him. However, Peterson is considered a better player and a potential pick.
NBA LOTTERY CHAOS: WASHINGTON WIZARDS GET GOLD, BACKERS PAY TANK GEMBLE NIGHTMARE
North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson will go to the Bulls as well. Those top four picks are pretty much set. If one of these four guys isn’t in the top four, it would be Boozer, in my opinion.
Keaton Wagler of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives past Isaiah Howard of the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half of the Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on March 28, 2026. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
What You Should Bet
I really like Keaton Wagler under 7.5 for his draft position. There are two teams that have talked a lot about Wagler – one is the fifth-place Clippers. The other is the Nets in sixth place. Most reports say Wagler is a better fit for the Clippers if they end up with the pick. If they do trade, who exactly is the team trading for a draft? There are no better three players in this draft than Wagler. He is -290 to be drafted seventh or less, so he is very expensive, but this should be -600 or more, or maybe the line should be closer to 6.5. To be perfectly clear, I’m not saying this is the best bet. -290 is definitely not a steal, but there is still significant value in this number.
Now Aday Mara is rumored to be going to Dallas, who owns the number 9. It makes sense that they could use a center and their new coach is Dusty May, who coached Mara in college. Other than them taking him, I don’t really see many teams reaching out to him. I would lean more than 9.5 in case Dallas chooses a different route. It looks like he’ll go ninth or possibly much later, so there’s no reason to take him lower unless you think he’s going to Dallas for sure.
No. 15 Yaxel Lendeborg +1000. I am not sure if he will still be there, but the Bulls are said to be very interested in Lendeborg. He is a good fit for their team. He can shoot, drive, rebound and defend. The problem is it doesn’t do anything for those at the top. I can see him falling, but this could be a good place and there is rumored interest, so it’s a decent risk to take.
Michigan Wolverines’ Yaxel Lendeborg reacts after being fouled and scoring in the second half of an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Elite Eight game against the Tennessee Volunteers at the United Center in Chicago, Ill., March 29, 2026. Michigan won 95-62. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
Darius Acuff is one of the best players. There is no denying his ability to score goals. However, there are many good guards in this draft — Peterson, Acuff, Wagler, Mikel Brown, Brayden Burries. Acuff is another who has had a great college coach (John Calipari), who is known for finding great NBA talent. His height will be an issue, but Jalen Brunson just won the Finals MVP. At 120 for seventh straight, I don’t think it’s a good bet, but if you see him over 7.5, I’d take that. It is said that he will go to Makhosi, and he will be at the right level, especially considering the team’s lack of points. However, if one of those guards I mentioned earlier becomes available (besides Burries), I think they will go over Acuff.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
At night, there aren’t a ton of good opportunities. In terms of value, Wagler at -290 under 7.5 is my favorite (he’s at -450 at Caesars Sportsbook). In terms of odds, Lendeborg at #15 is good money; and he is over 13.5 to Caesar. I would also take Mara over a 9.5. Acuff is written above 6.5 -115 in Caesars; I’ll take that. Shop around, because the numbers are very different.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GAMES FOXNEWS.COM
For more information on sports betting and games, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
