LaMelo Ball Is Now the Odds-on Favorite to Go No. 1 in NBA Draft

Unlike past years with consensus No. 1 picks like Zion Williamson and Deandre Ayton, there’s a discussion about who is going to hear his name called first in the 2020 NBA Draft. Although he’s far from a sure thing, LaMelo Ball is currently the odds-on favorite to go No. 1 at -200 odds.

The brother of Pelicans guard and former No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball, LaMelo has spent the last few years playing overseas, most recently in the NBL of Australia. According to reports, the Minnesota Timberwolves are honing in on Ball as their choice. However, there is also the possibility that another team trades up to grab him.

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2020 NBA Draft 1st Overall Pick Odds

There are two more guys who are in the mix — Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman — but oddsmakers are moving the line towards Ball with each passing day. Edwards is at +155 and certainly would fit Minnesota’s roster. He’s a shooting guard/wing with sky-high potential alongside a ballhandler like D’Angelo Russell.

Ball is more of a pure point guard, but he’s certainly capable of coexisting alongside Russell. Ironically enough, Russell was jettisoned from the Los Angeles Lakers for Lonzo Ball not too long ago.

Wiseman’s odds to go No. 1 are a bit longer, but at +600 it’s not impossible. With that said, it’s unlikely that the Timberwolves will pull the trigger on the gifted center. They already have Karl-Anthony Towns as their franchise cornerstone so another center is not high on their list of priorities this offseason. Another team trading up to grab Wiseman is the most likely scenario where he goes first overall.

There are a few more complete longshots on the board as well. Deni Avdija (+20000), Obi Toppin (+20000), Killian Hayes (+30000), Onyeka Okongwu (+30000), and Cole Anthony (+50000) are all listed, but don’t waste too much money on any of these players. First overall will almost definitely be Ball, Edwards, or Wiseman.

All NBA Draft odds are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.