2024 NBA Draft Predictions: Risacher, Sarr as Top Favorites in First Pick Odds

•  Zaccharie Risacher is a slight favorite to be selected first overall

•  More money is on Bronny James to go first than any other prospect

•  This year’s draft is considered one of the weakest ones in recent years

Before teams can set course for their pursuit of an NBA championship, they will build for both the future and the present with their selections in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Victor Wembanyama, last year’s first-overall pick, put the league on notice with one of the most memorable rookie campaigns of all time. Although this year’s class does not have the same level of external expectations, there are both intriguing prospects and players that are ready to contribute from the first day they step on an NBA court.

There’s also the enigma of Bronny James, son of LeBron James, who received more public support to be the first-overall pick than any other prospect despite not even being a certified lottery prospect. 

Here, we will dive into betting odds for the top NBA Draft prospects, Bronny James betting odds, and much more.

The following odds are taken from BetMGM Sportsbook. Use our code WSNMGM to place your bets at BetMGM: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets

2024 NBA Draft Odds: First Overall Pick

Atlanta Hawks Depth Chart 2023-24

My Pick: Zaccharie Risacher (-250) at BetMGM

The Hawks can go in several directions this summer, one of which would be moving on from one-half or all of their backcourt pairing of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. They already have a couple of versatile wings with real size in Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter, but adding another player of that mold to the mix never hurts. After all, the Boston Celtics just won a championship by having versatility all over the floor, and that’s what Risacher offers.

Bet on Zaccharie Risacher (-250) at BetMGM

2024 NBA Draft Odds: Second Overall Pick

Washington Wizards Depth Chart 2023-24

My Pick: Alexandre Sarr (-550) at BetMGM

Sarr is seven feet tall with great athleticism, a handle, and a soft touch for a player of his size. He’s a defensive terror that can contain point guards in the pick and roll or defend the rim with the best of players, not to mention that he can also create his own shot. He’s strong but still needs to add more weight onto his thin frame and need to find more consistency with his jumper (though his mechanics are solid).

Bet on Alexandre Sarr (-550) at BetMGM

2024 NBA Draft Odds: Third Overall Pick

Houston Rockets Depth Chart 2023-24 (pick via Brooklyn Nets)

My Pick: Matas Buzelis (+1800) at BetMGM

Buzelis is another taller small forward (think like Franz Wagner and Jalen Johnson) that can become a matchup nightmare. He can handle the rock and create for his teammates even though he’s not a natural facilitator. He isn’t very quick and needs to put on more muscle, but he can get his shot off and can relieve pressure from ball-dominant teammates.

Bet on Matas Buzelis (+1800) at BetMGM

2024 NBA Draft Odds: Fourth Overall Pick

San Antonio Spurs Depth Chart 2023-24

My Pick: Nikola Topic (+8000) at BetMGM

At 6-foot-6 and way down the odds board, Topic is a playmaking guard that loves to get out and run with the ball, which is a perfect fit for a Spurs team that ranked third in pace. He needs to expand his range but will have the benefit of potentially teaming up with Victor Wembanyama, who will demand tons of attention and open up driving and passing lanes for the young Topic. The Spurs typically do a tremendous job developing young talent and have another shot to prove themselves with one of the best international prospects.

Bet on Nikola Topic (+8000) at BetMGM

2024 NBA Draft Odds: Fifth Overall Pick

Detroit Pistons Depth Chart 2023-24

My Pick: Stephon Castle (+500) at BetMGM

Will the guard room get a little crowded with Castle, Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Marcus Sasser, and Quentin Grimes, the first three of which share many characteristics? Yes, absolutely. But those players, if traded (likely Ivey), would demand a decent haul, and Castle’s well-rounded skill set combined with his raw athleticism and desire make him likely to succeed in whatever role he fills.

Bet on Stephon Castle (+500) at BetMGM

When Will Bronny James Be Drafted?

The Bronny James domino is one of the largest not just in this draft, but in recent draft history.

James is objectively not a first-overall pick-level talent—but he is the son of LeBron James who, despite turning 40 in December, is still one of the 10 best players in basketball, and has more box office draw than anyone else in the sport.

Although LeBron recently said via his agent Rich Paul that teaming up with his son is no longer a priority, drafting Bronny could put them in a stronger position to acquire his services when he enters what he determines to be the final year of his career.

Bronny is also an interesting prospect in his own right because of his strength, defensive versatility, and court IQ. He’s only 6-foot-1 and did not shoot the ball well in college, but he’s athletic and laced the net during his pre-draft workout, making him even more of an enigma ahead of draft night.

2024 NBA Draft Order

1. Atlanta Hawks

2. Washington Wizards

3. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn Nets)

4. San Antonio Spurs

5. Detroit Pistons

6. Charlotte Hornets

7. Portland Trail Blazers

8. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors)

9. Memphis Grizzlies

10. Utah Jazz

11. Chicago Bulls

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston Rockets)

13. Sacramento Kings

14. Portland Trail Blazers

15. Miami Heat

16. Philadelphia 76ers

17. Los Angeles Lakers

18. Orlando Magic

19. Toronto Raptors (via Indiana Pacers)

20. Cleveland Cavaliers

21. New Orleans Pelicans (via Milwaukee Bucks)

22. Phoenix Suns

23. Milwaukee Bucks (via New Orleans Pelicans)

24. New York Knicks (via Dallas Mavericks)

25. New York Knicks

26. Washington Wizards (via Los Angeles Clippers)

27. Minnesota Timberwolves

28. Denver Nuggets

29. Utah Jazz (via Oklahoma City Thunder)

30. Boston Celtics

31. Toronto Raptors (via Detroit Pistons)

32. Utah Jazz (via Washington Wizards)

33. Milwaukee Bucks (via Portland Trail Blazers)

34. Portland Trail Blazers (via Charlotte Hornets)

35. San Antonio Spurs

36. Indiana Pacers (via Toronto Raptors)

37. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis Grizzlies)

38. New York Knicks (via Utah Jazz)

39. Memphis Grizzlies (via Brooklyn Nets)

40. Portland Trail Blazers (via Atlanta Hawks)

41. Philadelphia 76ers (via Chicago Bulls)

42. Charlotte Hornrts (via Houston Rockets)

43. Miami Heat

44. Houston Rockets (via Golden State Warriors)

45. Sacramento Kings

46. Los Angeles Clippers (via Indiana Pacers)

47. Orland Magic

48. San Antonio Spurs

    • Philadelphia 76ers (forfeited)

49. Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland Cavaliers)

50. Indiana Pacers (via New Orleans Pelicans)

51. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix Suns)

52. Golden State Warriors (Milwaukee Bucks)

53. Detroit Pistons (via New York Knicks)

54. Boston Celtics (via Dallas Mavericks)

55. Los Angeles Lakers (via Los Angeles Clippers)

56. Denver Nuggets (via Minnesota Timberwolves)

57. Memphis Grizzlies (via Oklahoma City Thunder)

    • Phoenix Suns (via Denver Nuggets - forfeited)

58. Dallas Mavericks (via Boston Celtics)