2025 NBA Draft Predictions and Best Bets
The 2025 NBA Draft will begin on Wednesday, June 25th, when we’ll see the first 30 players come off the board. However, the event spills over into Thursday, June 26th, with the league now giving the second round some more shine. It goes without saying that the NBA Draft isn’t as much of a betting event as the NFL Draft, but there are still plenty of bets to be made on the action. With that in mind, we’re going to make sure we have you covered at VSiN. On Tuesday, I wrote about my favorite 20 prospects in the draft, providing analysis and betting notes for all of them. But keep reading for some of my 2025 NBA Draft best bets and predictions.
MORE: Click here for all of the picks from our VSiN hosts and analysts!
In-Pocket Plays
Jeremiah Fears Draft Position Under 7.5 (-110)
Jeremiah Fears to go Top 5 (+300) – This one isn’t available at 3-1 anymore, but I’d still grab it at +175 or so. Fears is being heavily linked to the Jazz at No. 5, and I wouldn’t be all that shocked if he ends up going third or fourth. The Nets, armed with first-round draft picks, are rumored to be hot for him. Maybe they’ll push the chips in and move up to the Hornets spot.
Noa Essengue Draft Position Under 9.5 (-115)
Noa Essengue to go Top 10 (-115 – 2.5 units) – This one is still out there and it’s my favorite play of the draft. Essengue has had a private workout with Toronto, so he’s very much in play at No. 9. Also, when Essengue was asked about players he models his game after, he noted Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard. That said, it sure sounds like he’s watching some Raptors film. I also think the Nets would consider Essengue if they don’t move up from No. 8, and the French forward is also in play for the Suns at No. 10. There’s just a lot of strong intel that suggests he won’t last until 11, and I’m willing to risk quite a bit when there’s good information out there.
Ryan Kalkbrenner to go first round (-105) – If you want to take this one, there’s still a -159 out there. While that’s harder to stomach than the -105 I got, I still think this will hit. Kalkbrenner is one of the best rim protectors in the draft, he never fouls and he improved as an offensively player throughout his time with Creighton. The fact that he shows promise as a three-point shooter is just the cherry on top. Playoff teams will come calling for him. He’s a cheap player that could be in a rotation right away.
Collin Murray-Boyles Draft Position Under 14.5 (-140)
Khaman Maluach Draft Position Over 8.5 (+210 – 0.5 units)
At one point in this cycle, it looked like Maluach would be one of the first five selections. Perhaps he still will be. However, it definitely seems like the top-five teams are looking to some of the guards and wings. We also seem to know that Washington wants Ace Bailey at six. That said, “Malu Watch” probably begins at pick No. 7. Well, Jonathan Givony, who does great work for ESPN, has Maluach going to the Pelicans in his mock draft. That doesn’t mean nothing. However, he also noted that Joe Dumars is extremely high on Derik Queen, and that intel is hard to ignore. It’s also worth noting that New Orleans hit on a rim-running center in Yves Missi last year, meaning Maluach would be a bit redundant there. So, I have my doubts about Maluach going seventh. If Maluach doesn’t go at No. 7, I also can’t see the Nets taking him eighth. Brooklyn is in a talent collection phase right now, and I’m just not sure taking a role playing center makes a lot of sense — even if Maluach has the potential to be a damn good one.
Overall, it just feels like Maluach is at risk of sliding a bit tonight. It probably won’t be anything too crazy — I’m sure my Suns would love to grab him at 10 — but it’s hard to pass on 2-1 odds given the newest draft buzz.
Player to be drafted first: Egor Demin (+165 – 0.5 units) over Kasparas Jakucionis
Jakucionis is a huge favorite to be picked over Demin, but I think the Russian is worth a sprinkle. While Jakucionis is ranked ahead of Demin on a lot of boards, there’s no public intel that suggests the Illinois guard will go first. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, another awesome draft resource (and all around ball-knower), has noted that the Raptors are interested in Jakucionis at No. 9. However, it sure sounds like they’d take Essengue or Maluach before drafting a ball handler. And with that being the only real link I’ve seen with Jakucionis, I’m willing to take a flier on Demin. The BYU wing is similarly impressive as an on-ball engine, but he is three inches taller. That gives him a little more upside, as he can see the floor a bit better and has more length to offer defensively. Demin also set the NBA Draft Combine on fire, and that type of thing shouldn’t go unnoticed. Front offices can fall in love in a hurry, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Blazers, Bulls, Hawks or Thunder can’t help themselves when thinking about his potential.
