2021 NBA Draft Time: How to Watch Live, Updated 2022 Championship Odds
It’s 2021 NBA Draft time! Teams will be looking to change their fortunes for the better by landing the next major stars when the latest draft arrives. Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham is expected to be a game-changer as the No. 1 pick. However, there are other potential gems amongst the many talented players headed to the pro league. Here’s our look at when and where to watch the draft live, as well as the latest updated NBA championship odds!
2021 NBA Draft time, date & channel details: When and where to watch it live
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many people’s lives to change, and it changed sports schedules as well. Due to the postponed season, restarting later in the year, there was a historic NBA Draft in November 2020. It didn’t take place live as previous drafts did, but instead from ESPN Studios in Bristol Connecticut.
For the 2021 NBA Draft, we’ll return to form, sort of. The venue will once again be the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. However, this is the first NBA Draft to be held in July, as the event is typically held in June.
There were 20 invites sent out for the NBA draft green room this year, which means players, friends, and family members will attend in person. Among those getting invites are Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, and Scottie Barnes.
Viewers can watch the draft on Thursday, July 29, with coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC and ESPN. Additional coverage in Spanish is available on ESPN3. Viewers can watch via cable or satellite TV, or through ESPN’s WatchESPN apps on various devices.
Latest 2022 NBA Championship odds favor Brooklyn Nets, LA Lakers
Just recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks captured the NBA Championship, ending a 50-year drought. While they were amongst the favorites heading into the postseason, they certainly weren’t the top teams on the list. That distinction went to the Nets and Lakers. Interestingly, the Bucks don’t seem to be getting love from sportsbooks as overall favorite for 2022 either.
Instead, the Brooklyn Nets top most sportsbook odds for 2022 NBA champs. Bovada has Brooklyn at +300 odds. LeBron James and the LA Lakers are second with +550 odds, followed by Giannis’ Bucks at +700. Are the champs and reigning MVP being disrespected? Most fans might say so.
Also, don’t look now, but the Warriors could be back in the title picture. Current odds have them in fourth-place amongst contenders. Most likely, that’s banking on a successful return by Klay Thompson. The sharpshooter was out for the last two seasons and seems ready for a return. Will he be as effective as he was prior to the injury?
Top 10 teams favored to win 2022 NBA title
- Brooklyn Nets +300
- LA Lakers +550
- Milwaukee Bucks +700
- Golden State +1000
- Denver Nuggets +1200
- Phoenix Suns +1500
- LA Clippers +1800
- Philadelphia 76ers +1800
- Utah Jazz +1800
- Dallas Mavs +2800
- Atlanta Hawks +3500
*Odds per Bovada Sportsbook
NBA Draft lottery teams’ odds to win title
The teams above are mostly contenders already built for success. Of those teams up above, the Golden State Warriors added the No. 1 pick last draft with big man James Wiseman. That could further improve their future chances at winning another title. There’s always the possibility they trade Wiseman for some veteran stars to boost their roster, or keep him in place based on his talents.
Speaking of the Warriors, they’ve got two picks in the top 14 to further improve their roster. Not too bad.
In terms of the teams in the draft lottery, here’s how their championship odds are right now.
- Detroit +50000
- Houston +50000
- Cleveland +40000
- Toronto +8000
- Orlando +50000
- Oklahoma City +50000
- Golden State (from Minnesota) +1000
- Orlando (from Chicago) +50000
- Sacramento +25000
- New Orleans +6000
- Charlotte +10000
- San Antonio +15000
- Indiana +10000
- Golden State +1000
*Odds per Bovada Sportsbook
Based on the above odds, there are plenty of teams sitting at +50000 odds to win the title. It would take a really special talent to push a team from that depth to an NBA title in their first season. Still, teams know that the players they draft Thursday night could potentially pay dividends in seasons beyond 2022.
Check out Sports Odds Digest’s NBA page to see our rumors and reports about basketball odds.
