It’s NBA Draft night! In total, 71 players filed as early candidates for the 2026 NBA Draft, and only 60 players will hear their name called on Tuesday night. The Washington Wizards hold the first overall pick, and draft picks have already exchanged hands more than 50 times ahead of tonight’s draft. Surely, there are more moves on the horizon, but the betting market is relatively firm on which players should go early.
Let’s look at the top candidates in the 2026 NBA Draft, and see where the betting money is flowing ahead of tonight’s action!
AJ Dybantsa Presumed 1st Overall
At the start of the college basketball season, it was a bit of a craps shoot to see who would go first overall on draft night. Seven months later, AJ Dybantsa is a virtual lock to head to Washington.
Dybantsa was a one-man wrecking ball for the BYU Cougars all season. The freshman averaged 25.5 points per game on 51.1% shooting, leading the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament. While they fell in the Play-In Game to Texas, Dybantsa muscled his way to 35 points and 10 rebounds. With 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, we’re expecting the big man to make an immediate impact at the professional level.
Predictably, Dybantsa’s ascent is also captured in the betting market. Previously a +360 frontrunner to go first overall, Dybantsa has steadily climbed to -450 chalk. With over 75.0% of the handle backing him on just 32.4% of the tickets, BetMGM has clearly taken some hefty wagers on the Cougars’ product throughout the campaign.
Barring a last minute deal, AJ Dybantsa will be suiting up for the Washington Wizards next season.
Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer
The second- and third-overall picks will likely be Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. While Peterson is the betting favorite to follow Dybantsa, we either wouldn’t be shocked to see either of the Utah Jazz or Memphis Grizzlies trade out of their spots, potentially messing up that order.
Peterson’s attitude is the only limiting factor preventing him from being chosen first. He spent his lone collegiate season with the Kansas Jayhawks, averaging 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 43.8% shooting. The former Jayhawks’ guard was also a marksman from distance, knocking down 38.2% of his shots from beyond the arc.
Given his personality concerns, the Jazz may have apprehensions about selecting Peterson with the second pick; however, whichever team moves up to nab him will most certainly be willing to work with the 19-year-old. Peterson is the -170 chalk to go second, but we’re not convinced he’ll be suiting up for the Jazz in 2026-27.
Progeny of former NBA star Carlos Boozer, Cameron Boozer is the presumptive third overall pick. The Duke Blue Devils’ product saw his draft stock rise throughout the campaign, albeit with contrasting betting odds. Boozer was initially priced at +875 to go first overall, but enters the draft a more distant +2200. That odds swing is a function of Dybantsa and Peterson’s rise, and does not represent Boozer’s ceiling in the NBA.
Standing 6’8”, Boozer is a prototypical build for the modern NBA. He has elite scoring prowess, putting up 22.5 points per game on 55.6% shooting. Further, he’s a menace on the boards averaging 10.2 rebounds per game. Setting him into a lineup anywhere between Ja Morant and Zach Edey could precipitate big things in Memphis.
The Grizzlies are hoping that Boozer slides to them at three. If that’s the case, we could be looking at Memphis like the next dynasty out west.
4 Thru 10 Looks Hazy
As is the case with any draft, the rest of the top 10 looks a little more hazy. Once the top players are off the board, the next players to hear their name called will depend on scouting reports, team needs, and who’s left standing.
There’s little debate around Caleb Wilson as the fourth overall selection. The UNC forward ranked top 40 in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage, tools that many teams will covet. At -475, the Chicago Bulls are the probable destination for Wilson, albeit with the betting market loading up on Darius Acuff Jr. The Arkansas product has attracted over 41.0% of the handle, with BetMGM holding Wilson as the betting favorite.
Mikel Brown Jr. is another name to keep in mind for the top five. While he sits +250 to go to the LA Clippers, he’s the betting favorite, ticket and handle leader in this spot. That leaves BetMGM exposed, but it’s unlikely they move Brown’s odds unless there’s a trade.
The consolation prize for the Brooklyn Nets at sixth overall is the remaining of these three players. If Wilson and Brown go fourth and fifth, respectively, Acuff Jr. will likely be suiting up in Brooklyn next season.
We should see a few trades from seven through 10. The Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and Milwaukee Bucks all have different needs. If their preferred player is gone by the time they step to the podium, expect any of those teams to move back for the sake of future draft capital.
Player-wise, we should see some permutation of the following names: Aday Mara, Brayden Burries, Nate Ament, and Keaton Wagler.
Presuming Acuff is off the board, Wagler is the logical choice to go seventh, which is captured in his 36.8% ticket count. From there, Mara is the betting favorite to go eighth, with Burries and Ament rounding out the betting chalk at nine and 10.
Final Thoughts
Outside of the first overall selection, there’s plenty to be decided at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. With that, there will be plenty of betting opportunities for those looking to make a splash. Trades will be the catalyst as teams move up and down to select their desired players, and bettors will need to act fast to ensure maximum value.
New to sports betting? First, explore our Introduction to Sports Betting. Then check out our recommendations at Flip The Switch for online sportsbooks, along with offers to get started. And if you’re not an avid sports fan, you can still find some fun and unusual bets to enjoy!
