Every Woj Bomb these days brings fear to much of the anxious Detroit Pistons fan base during NBA Draft week, one of the silly seasons for the league’s media information complex.
And some of those fans won’t be breathing easily again until Cade Cunningham crosses the stage on Thursday night and shakes commissioner Adam Silver’s hand as the newest member of the red, white and blue.
It’s safe to say Pistons fans have been following draft developments, rumors and player evaluations more this year than in most others.
For those Michigan residents hoping to cash in on that studying, Michigan online sportsbooks have a variety of ways for you to put your wagering money to work.
Troy Weaver doing due diligence before draft night
Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver addressed the media on Tuesday about NBA Draft rumors, noting that the increasing scuttlebutt amounts to “bunk.”
However, even a guy as straightforward as Weaver is playing the hand he was dealt this week.
That means he’s likely checking around the league on offers for the coveted No. 1 pick.
One report even had Oklahoma City offering up young star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the No. 6 pick this year to move up to No. 1.
Weaver and the Pistons reportedly declined, and all signs instead point to another young points guard with Sooner State ties joining Detroit.
Cade Cunningham still the Detroit Pistons’ odds-on choice
That’s right — Oklahoma State freshman Cunningham appears headed to Motown.
Actually, he was already here for a visit earlier this month. He took in in a Detroit Tigers game with Pistons brass and Saddiq Bey, who surprised some with a stellar rookie season of his own last year.
The books have stayed steady on Cunningham as the odds-on favorite to go first overall.
BetMGM Sportsbook opened with Cunningham with -500 chances to go first overall.
One bettor wagered $10,000 at those opening odds to win $2,000.
That’s good value now, as BetMGM has since moved those Cunningham odds to -5000. BetMGM has G League Ignite guard Jalen Green at +1400 to go first, USC big man Evan Mobley at +2200 and Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs at +2500 to go first.
That’s the same odds for Cunningham at BetMGM since we checked in last week. He’s also still -8000 at DraftKings and now off the board (was -10000) at WynnBET.
Exclusive NBA Draft party experience from WynnBET
WynnBET Sportsbook, which is making a major public-eye move these days in the Michigan sports betting landscape, is capitalizing on NBA Draft fever in Detroit to gain buzz.
The book is giving Michigan residents a chance to party at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night.
The giveaway includes VIP passes to the draft party on the LCA floor with a concert stage, free food and beverages, photo booths and more.
To enter, participants have to follow @WynnBET on Twitter and retweet this post by 1 p.m. ET Wednesday. You can also earn an entry on Instagram by following @WynnBET there and tagging one friend on this post.
There were only 17 retweets and about a dozen entries on Instagram a couple hours before the deadline, so your chances to win are pretty good.
MGCB allows draft wagering up until draft time
There has been a new development in the professional sports draft front, in the meantime, for Michigan sports betting.
Unlike during the NFL Draft in the spring, where bettors had to get wagers in the night before the draft began, NBA Draft bettors can get pre-draft bets in right up until draft time.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board approved the changes for pro sports draft recently. In addition, in-draft wagers have to be made two picks before the actual selection being wagered on.
Michigan sportsbooks capitalizing on NBA Draft buzz
Let’s face it: There hasn’t been a lot of juice surrounding the Pistons since the launch of Michigan online sports betting in January.
But the Pistons getting the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery represents a possible sea change for the franchise, and it’s one the sports betting operators are hoping to get a jolt from.
Several operators are offering promotions revolving around the draft.
DraftKings offering 50% profit boost on any NBA Draft bet
DraftKings Sportsbook has a promotion set up for Thursday’s NBA Draft where bettors can boost the profits of one bet by 50%.
You must opt-in to receive the odds boost and find it on your betting slip before placing your wager. There is a $50 maximum stake on the profit-boosted bet. There is a $100 maximum on profits earned from the boosted wager, which expires at the time the draft starts.
Bet $50 on NBA Draft at William Hill, get a $25 free bet
William Hill Sportsbook has a promotion running where $50 in cumulative NBA Draft bets will net you a free $25 bet to use on anything.
The bets must be placed before the draft starts and each have at least -200 odds (to avoid any doubt, -250 would not qualify, -180 and +300 are eligible).
FanDuel giving new users $100 for Cunningham to go first overall
FanDuel Sportsbook has promotions for new and existing customers centered around the NBA Draft.
New users can get paid $100 on a $5 bet is Cunningham goes No. 1 overall. To qualify, players have to sign up, make your first deposit of at least $10, and then place a bet on Cunningham to go first overall ($5 max).
Existing customers who place $25 or more in NBA Draft bets will receive $10 in site credit after the draft, whether the bets win or lose. Bets can be cumulative and odds for each have to be –200 or longer.
