We're about to see even more NBA Draft odds chaos unfold tonight.
The NBA chose to extend the draft into two nights this year, a first, allowing for another day of dramatic build-up to the start of the second round.
The trade talk will swirl all day long, especially with Bronny James odds still looming over Round 2. However, knowing the NBA, few trades will become reality before the second round begins at 4 p.m. ET, if any.
Let's take a look at the best NBA Draft betting picks and predictions heading into the second round.
2024 NBA Draft Round 2 betting picks
Bronny James Under 54.5 (+290)
Bronny James’s draft positioning Over/Under has freefallen in the last 36 hours. On Tuesday afternoon, FanDuel had it set at 47.5 with the Over juiced to -158. It began rapidly ticking up about midday Wednesday, and after the first round, it sat at 54.5 with the Over a lofty -440.
What changed?
The most likely shift is 29 teams realized the Los Angeles Lakers were not going to overpay for a chance at LeBron James’s son. The Lakers’ only second-round pick is at No. 55.
That Over/Under positioning of 54.5 is not a coincidence.
Bronny James could someday be a genuine NBA player. He is years away from that, making him a less desirable piece for contenders like the Bucks (No. 33), Timberwolves (No. 37) or even the Pacers (Nos. 36, 49, and 50). His ceiling is also lower than many second-round picks. Teams with a longer timeline are more likely to bet on a riskier player, one who could become a true starter in years to come if he sticks in the league at all. So, teams like the Spurs (35), Blazers (34 and 40), and Pistons (53) are not tuned into Bronny, either.
It just may be that the only team eyeing Bronny James right now is the one run by his father, officially or not.
That said, the Under 54.5 is the smarter bet. It takes just one threat to force the Lakers to trade up.
Pick: Bronny James Under 54.5 (+290 at FanDuel)
Kyle Filipowski
The biggest name, non-James category, remaining in the draft pool is Kyle Filipowski out of Duke. He was a consensus All-American and averaged 15.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in his two seasons at Duke.
Filipowski stands 7-foot but has reasonable handles on the perimeter. Ken Pomeroy considered him to be the No. 7 player in college basketball last season, in no small part because he enjoyed a 55.1% effective field-goal percentage.
Yet, he did not hear his name in the first round.
Filipowski is neither a typical post player nor a great shooter from deep. Worse yet, his 67.1% from the free throw line last year — on 4.6 attempts per game thanks to drawing 4.5 fouls per 40 minutes — suggests he may never be a strong 3-point shooter.
Lacking both a dominant interior game and a workable 3-point shot is how a strong college player quickly finds himself in no man’s land in the NBA.
Pick: Kyle Filipowski to be selected 32nd overall (+300 at DraftKings)
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Toronto Raptors
The most instructive lesson from this inaugural two-night draft will be what the Toronto Raptors do or do not do with the No. 31 overall pick. They have until 4 p.m. ET to see what kind of trade market there is for this pick.
In addition to Filipowski, Johnny Furphy and Tyler Kolek both remain available.
An Australian wing, Furphy could be an ideal long-term piece, showing a decent 3-point shot while also enjoying the athleticism that could make him a worthwhile defender. Some draft boards put Furphy in the Top 10 of this draft, but obviously his fit led to this slip. These things happen.
A Marquette point guard, Kolek led one of the country’s best offenses last season and averaged at least 7.5 assists in each of the last two years. He could lead a bench unit immediately.
Some team will fall in love with one of these players on Thursday afternoon and attempt to get the pick from Toronto. The Raptors are in the earliest stage of a rebuild, so leaning into some future draft capital would make sense. But how much can Masai Ujiri get for the No. 31 pick?
If Toronto holds onto the pick, their greatest need is very clearly at point guard. Even if trying to rebuild, showing some competence offensively will only help further develop players like Scottie Barnes and Ja’Kobe Walter. Adding Kolek in that role right away would give the franchise some direction.
Pick: Raptors to select Tyler Kolek with the 31st overall pick (+400 at DraftKings)
2024 NBA Draft order (Round 2)
31. Toronto Raptors
32. Utah Jazz
33. Milwaukee Bucks
34. Portland Trail Blazers
35. San Antonio Spurs
36. Indiana Pacers
37. Minnesota Timberwolves
38. New York Knicks
39. Memphis Grizzlies
40. Portland Trail Blazers
41. Philadelphia 76ers
42. Charlotte Hornets
43. Miami Heat
44. Houston Rockets
45. Sacramento Kings
46. Los Angeles Clippers
47. Orlando Magic
48. San Antonio Spurs
49. Indiana Pacers
50. Indiana Pacers
51. Washington Wizards
52. Golden State Warriors
53. Detroit Pistons
54. Boston Celtics
55. Los Angeles Lakers
56. Denver Nuggets
57. Memphis Grizzlies
58. Dallas Mavericks
