While it seems like the Magic will take Jabari Smith Jr. with the top overall pick, sportsbook odds of Paolo Banchero going No. 1 are drastically moving, Matt Moore of The Action Network hears.
SuperBook Sports opened Banchero at +1600 on Monday and immediately took sharp action on Banchero, according to Jeff Sherman, VP of Risk Management at Superbook. The book has moved Banchero all the way to +400 as a result.
While oddsmakers may simply be leaning on the side of caution rather than leave risky wagers out there, it’s an interesting development considering that since the season ended, it appeared that Smith and Chet Holmgren were locks to go 1-2.
Moore hears from multiple draft experts that Banchero is the best player on their respective boards and some within the media have the Duke product there as well.
More NBA Draft Rumors
- Rival executives believe the Cavaliers are “very high” on Ousmane Dieng, as Jonathan Givony of ESPN.com writes in his latest mock draft. Many expect the Dieng to go higher in than No. 14, though this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Cleveland connected to the 19-year-old.
- The Suns are one of the teams that could have their eye on the No. 8 pick, Givony adds in the same piece. Cameron Johnson could be part of the deal in a move that would allow the franchise to free up future salary, something that would likely be necessary to retain Deandre Ayton. No word on who Phoenix is looking at if they move into the top 10.
- John Collins is a prime candidate to be moved on draft night, Givony adds in the same piece. The Hawks are rumored to be open to shaking up the roster and they’ve been connected to the No. 8 overall pick.
- The Kings are a wild-card at No. 4 with all kinds of rumors out there, ranging from they are content with the selection to them wanting to move down and acquire playoff-ready veterans. The Wizards and Knicks have been linked to Jaden Ivey and Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report hears that the Spurs are another team that wants to move up in the draft, though San Antonio’s target is unclear.
- In our latest mock draft, Washington traded a Kyle Kuzma-based package to move up to No. 4 and select Ivey, the Wizards may be able to get the Purdue product via a trade for No. 5. Fischer hears (same piece) that teams behind the Kings believe Sacramento is looking at Keegan Murray if they stay put at No. 4. Of course, the Pistons could stay put and take Ivey in that event but it’s possible that trading down for veterans could be in the cards for Detroit.
