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Image for Christian Jope Christian Jope - Published May 12, 2023

NBA Draft Lottery 2023 Odds, Predictions, Picks, & How it Works

The NBA Draft Lottery is an annual event where the order of the NBA Draft's first round is determined through a random selection process. 

Teams with the worst records from the previous season will have the best odds of getting the top pick, which could land them a transformative player and propel them toward future success. With so much at stake, the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery promises to be an exciting and highly anticipated event for basketball fans worldwide.

Where Can You Bet on the 2023 NBA Draft?

Several online sportsbooks and NBA betting sites offer wagering on the NBA Draft, including popular ones such as FanDuel, BetMGM, and PointsBet

If you have any questions about how to place bets on the NBA Draft Lottery or the 2023 NBA Draft, refer to our expert reviews of some of the top sportsbooks! 

It's important to note that sports betting is regulated differently in different regions and countries. It's essential to ensure that online betting is legal and regulated in your area before placing any wagers.

2023 NBA Draft Odds

The 2023 NBA Draft will be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with one absolute star at the top and several high-ceiling players fighting for the next top position.

First, the NBA must determine who will win the right to pick first overall. The league must also determine the draft order for the remainder of the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. Given the league's weighted odds system, chances at the top pick are better than ever.

We'll also dive into the odds behind who will be the top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Standing at 7'3 with the skills of a guard, Victor Wembanyama is a heavy favorite to be picked first, regardless of the team. The talent pool gets much more competitive once you look past Wembanyama.

Team to be Awarded 1st Pick

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook

TeamRecordWin %% to Win LotterySportsbook Odds
Detroit Pistons17-65.20714.0%+550
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Houston Rockets22-60.26814.0%+550
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San Antonio Spurs22-60.26814.0%+550
BET HERE
Charlotte Hornets27-55.32912.5%+650
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Portland Trail Blazers33-49.40210.5%+800
BET HERE
Orlando Magic34-48.4159.0%+900
BET HERE
Indiana Pacers35-47.4276.8%+1200
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Washington Wizards35-47.4276.7%+1200
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Utah Jazz37-45.4514.5%+1800
BET HERE
Dallas Mavericks38-44.4633.0%+2800
BET HERE
Chicago Bulls40-42.4881.8%+4500
BET HERE
Oklahoma City Thunder40-42.4881.7%+4500
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Toronto Raptors41-41.5001.0%+8000
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New Orleans Pelicans42-40.5120.5%+16000
BET HERE

1st Overall Pick

Odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook

PlayerOdds to be drafted #1
Victor Wembanyama-20000
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Scoot Henderson+2500
BET HERE
Brandon Miller+12000
BET HERE
Gregory "GG" Jackson+20000
BET HERE
Amen Thompson+20000
BET HERE
NBA Draft Lottery Odds

NBA Draft 2023 Our Picks

Odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook

(F-C) Victor Wembanyama - Metropolitans 92 - France

Victor Wembanyama is a French basketball player, born on January 8, 2004. He is 7 feet 3 inches tall and is considered one of the top prospects in the world due to his unmatched size, skillset, and potential. He has shown great agility, athleticism, and coordination at his size, with a rare combination of length and mobility that allows him to effectively block shots and defend the pick-and-roll. Offensively, he has excellent touch around the basket, a growing mid-range game, and league-ready three-point shooting ability. Barring injury, many believe Wembanyama could become a top-level two-way player and a franchise cornerstone.

(G) Scoot Henderson - NBA G League Ignite - USA

Scoot Henderson is highly touted for his incredible potential to become one of the league's best point guards. Born September 4, 2004, Henderson stands out with his athleticism, speed, and playmaking ability. Henderson's ball-handling skills, court vision, and passing ability set him above the rest of his class at point guard. He is also a skilled scorer with an improving outside shot and NBA-ready finishing ability at the rim. Defensively, he showcases quick hands, good lateral movement, and an ability to defend from day one in the NBA. While he has yet to be able to push Wembanyama out as the favorite to go first overall, Henderson's potential is top-pick quality.

(F) Brandon Miller - Alabama - USA

Brandon Miller possesses diverse offensive skills, with the ability to hit contested shots, drive past solid defenders, and utilize slick finishing moves around the rim. Although Miller excels as a pull-up and step-back shooter, his three-point shooting still lacks consistency. Defensively, Miller showcases solid shot-blocking, versatility in guarding multiple positions, and solid off-ball awareness. However, Miller has failed to show elite athleticism and still needs to improve his strength, finishing ability, and shot selection. While he's a savvy offensive player for his age with a high ceiling, Miller still has room to grow.

Best Sports Betting Sites to Bet on the NBA Draft

FanDuel

FanDuel has become a go-to platform for NBA betting and fantasy gaming. Fans can engage in daily fantasy contests, make wagers on NBA games, and participate in various NBA-related promotions.

New users can receive up to $150 in bonus bets with just one $5 wager!

PointsBet

PointsBet offers many sports betting options, including traditional wagers and unique betting formats like PointsBetting. PointsBet aims to provide sports enthusiasts with an exciting and immersive betting experience through its user-friendly interface and competitive odds.

New users can receive a welcome bonus that earns them 5 x $50 in bet credits just by signing up!

Caesars

Caesars Sportsbook is a renowned sports betting platform that offers numerous betting options and an immersive gaming experience. Backed by the trusted Caesars Entertainment brand, the sportsbook provides a safe and secure environment for experienced and new bettors!

New users can use our exclusive promo code "WSNFULL" to earn up to $1250 in bonuses when signing up at Caesars Sportsbook!

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BetMGM

With its sleek and user-friendly interface, BetMGM provides a consistent and exciting betting experience across many sports, particularly basketball, including the NBA. The platform features competitive odds, a vast selection of betting markets, and enticing promotions to enhance the excitement for users.

New users can receive up to $1000 paid back in bonus bets if their first wager doesn't win!

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WynnBet

WynnBet is an emerging online sports betting and casino platform that offers a premium betting experience. Focusing on providing a sophisticated betting experience, WynnBet offers a range of betting options for sports enthusiasts, including basketball, such as the NBA.

WynnBet's welcome bonus provides new users $100 in bet credits if they make a $100 wager!

How Does the NBA Draft Lottery Work?

In September 2017, the NBA changed the lottery system for the 2019 NBA Draft and beyond. The change was made to create a more competitive environment and limit "tanking." the new format ensures that the team with the worst record will receive no worse than the fifth pick, whereas before, they would pick no lower than the fourth.

The new system's goal is to make the odds more even for the top picks. Now, the three teams with the worst regular-season records each have a 14 percent chance of winning the lottery. Previously, the team with the top seed had a 25 percent chance, the second seed had 19.9 percent, and the third seed had 15.6 percent.

Drawings will occur using ping pong balls representing each team's weighted chances to receive every pick. That drawing will determine the first 14 selections in the upcoming NBA Draft.

How to Watch the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery

The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery will be broadcasted on ESPN. The event can also be streamed on the ESPN or WatchESPN app.

NBA Draft Lottery FAQs

When is the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery?

The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery is scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, at 8:00 PM EST.

What is a lottery pick in the NBA Draft?

A "lottery pick," in the context of the NBA Draft, is a designated selection for an NBA team during that respective year's NBA Draft. Fourteen teams qualify to be in the lottery, most easily recognized as those that failed to qualify for the NBA Playoffs that season.

Where is the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery held?

The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery will be hosted at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NJ, home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.

How do the NBA Draft Lottery odds work?

The NBA Draft Lottery weights the chances for teams to secure higher draft picks based on their regular-season records and win percentages. The system is designed to provide teams with worse records with a higher likelihood of obtaining a top pick while still allowing for some unpredictability.

The worst three teams in the most recent NBA season receive the best odds to draw the first overall pick (14.0%). The odds to pick first overall are reduced from the fourth to fourteenth team based on win percentage in descending order - from 12.5% to 0.5%.

Who gets the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft?

The winner of the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft will be decided at the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery!

Currently, the teams with the best odds to win the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery are the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs.

Who decides the NBA Draft order?

The NBA Draft Lottery determines the NBA Draft order for the teams that did not qualify for the playoffs. 

For non-lottery teams, the pick order is decided by the win record from the most recent regular season. From picks 15-30, teams will select based on their regular season finish in ascending order. 

The 15th-ranked team in the NBA will receive the 15th overall pick, while the first-ranked team from the regular season will select the 30th overall. The order can also be affected by previous or even draft day trades.

Can a player reject the NBA Draft?

No player is obliged to participate in the NBA Draft. However, to sign a contract with or play for an NBA team, a player must have been eligible for selection in at least one NBA Draft or, at most, two NBA Drafts.

Is there an age limit for the NBA Draft?

The age limit to declare for the NBA Draft is 19 during the calendar year of the draft they've declared eligibility for. Traditionally, that means a player must be at least one year removed from the final year of high school eligibility before being able to declare for the NBA Draft.

What is the oldest a player can be to get drafted?

There is no maximum age limit for players participating in the NBA Draft. Unlike the age requirement that mandates players be at least 19 years old and one year removed from high school, there is no upper age restriction. If a player meets the eligibility criteria, such as being at least one year removed from high school, they can enter the NBA Draft regardless of age.

Do all draft picks receive a contract?

Only First Round Picks receive guaranteed rookie-scale contracts in the NBA Draft. 

Second Round picks do not receive guaranteed contracts and are eligible to be signed for standard rookie contracts, two-way contracts, or to play in another league while their team retains their rights within the NBA. 

Ultimately, the NBA Draft determines which team controls the rights to a player but doesn't always ensure a contract.

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AUTHOR

Christian Jope

1226 Articles

Christian Jope is a writer, social media strategist, and data analyst. A Queen’s University Alumni, Christian is an author and social media strategist with Raptors Cage, while also working closely with MLSE and Canada Basketball through community-driven events.

Email: [email protected]

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