NBA Draft Odds: Are Top 5 Picks Set in Stone?
Walker, Ausar Thompson on the Outside Looking In
Barring a major surprise, the top five picks in this year’s NBA Draft are pretty much set in stone. The NBA Draft odds reflect the players most likely to be taken at the top. It could get a little interesting at No. 5. The Pistons could ruin or make some bettors’ night depending on what they do with the pick.
The NBA Draft odds aren’t going to include Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson, the players who could go 1-2 in the draft. The Spurs will grab Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick and he’ll work with Tim Duncan after arriving in San Antonio. The Spurs were dead last in the NBA standings in the Western Conference a year ago. Wembanyama makes them tougher to play against, which is all you ask for.
Brandon Miller could be a better fit for Charlotte than Henderson, but Henderson is the likely pick here. He’s played two years in the G League and is familiar with NBA rules. He should be more polished than Miller at the start. But Miller will be a good one and it won’t be a surprise to see him go No. 2.
Top Five Draft Pick Odds
Brandon Miller -10000
If Charlotte grabs Henderson at No. 2, the Trail Blazers are likely to take Miller at No. 3. Miller is coming off a huge season at Alabama, where he was named SEC’s Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year. A strong 3-point shooter, Miller has plenty of raw talent.
Amen Thompson -1600
Amen Thompson is likely to go fourth to the Rockets. A solid defender, Thompson is still a bit of a work in progress, but he has plenty of upside. He’s not the greatest shooter around, but he does everything else well and will get better from the outside.
Cam Whitmore -350
The NBA Draft odds on Whitmore are -350 and he’s most likely to be taken here. But he’s not a sure thing, either. The Pistons could elect to draft somebody else, especially if they want a forward. There are some options out there and the Pistons need all they help they can get. Detroit was 17-65 last season and 34-44-4 against the NBA spreads.
Jarace Walker +200
If Houston or Detroit want to draft a forward, Walker is their man. A 6-foot-8, 248-pound forward out of Houston. He has great size for his age and is the one most likely to play spoiler. If he falls out of the top five, Orlando or Indiana will snag him at No. 6 or No. 7. His NBA Draft odds at +200 could be a shade low, but his talent makes it a possibility he’s taken higher than expected.
Ausar Thompson +250
The other half of the Thompson twins, Ausar is the better shooter of the two. But his brother does just about everything else a little bit better. That’s the reason why one is expected to be a top five pick and the other is just on the outside. The Orlando Magic are a possible landing spot at No. 6.
Taylor Hendricks +1000
Hendricks is an intriguing prospect due to his 6-foot-9 frame, but it’s hard to see him passing several other players on here. He’s a solid outside shooter, but figures to go closer to 10th than fifth overall.
Anthony Black +2000
Black is a pretty safe bet to be taken inside the top 10. But it’s also pretty likely that he won’t be taken inside the top five. The draft is guard heavy and Black takes a backseat to several others. If he goes to Washington at No. 8, he could have a big rookie season.
Gradey Dick +4000
Dick is another one more likely to go No. 10 than go No. 5 and he could fall to No. 11 depending on how things shake out. He has a nice touch from long range and would be a solid addition for Orlando at No. 11.
Cason Wallace +4000
Wallace is another strong guard and perhaps the best defender of them all. He is all over the place in mock drafts, ranking from No. 8 to No. 15. He’ll most likely settle in around No. 10.
Jordan Hawkins +8000
Hawkins is another player the mock drafts are split on. He’s as high as No. 8 and as low as No. 17. Although it’s more likely he’ll be taken in the middle of the first round.
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