There is no time to waste when it comes to the NBA calendar.
The Golden State Warriors just wrapped up the 2021-22 NBA season by winning their fourth title in the last eight years. Now it is time to focus on the future, with the 2022 NBA Draft slated to take place on Thursday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
WynnBET has had odds for which player will be the No. 1 overall selection, a market that has attracted plenty of interest this year. Let’s take a look at the latest odds at WynnBET’s online sportsbook and see how our players are betting this market.
Betting Odds
No. 1 Overall Pick (as of Monday, June 20):
Jabari Smith Jr. -190
Chet Holmgren +180
Paolo Banchero +650
Jaden Ivey +15000
Shaedon Sharpe +25000
Keegan Murray +375000
Jaden Hardy +50000
Benedict Mathurin +100000
Dyson Daniels +100000
Jalen Duren +100000
Johnny Davis +100000
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Jabari Smith Is Betting Favorite
Based on the latest betting odds, Jabari Smith Jr. is expected to be the top selection in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Smith is considered the most pro-ready prospect in this class after his lone season at Auburn. In 34 games, Smith averaged 16.9 points per game to go along with 7.4 rebounds and 1.0 block per contest. The 6-foot-10 forward made 42% of his 3-point attempts, and he’s a versatile defender. Those are the type of traits that should translate for Smith to make an immediate impact as a rookie.
It is easy to see why Smith is favored to go No. 1 overall, but the Orlando Magic are certainly doing their due diligence. Orlando reportedly met with Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren for a multi-day visit a few days ago ahead of the NBA Draft.
Holmgren averaged 14.1 points per outing in his lone season with Gonzaga. Holmgren added 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per contest to lead the Bulldogs to a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Paolo Banchero On The Rise
Don't look now, but Paolo Banchero is getting a lot of steam as of late.
On Sunday, Banchero was 20/1 to be the No. 1 overall pick. He is now priced at +650, as WynnBET has been taking a lot of recent action on the Duke standout to be the top pick.
Matt Norlander of CBS Sports released a mock draft on Monday based on who he thinks will be the best at the NBA level. In that mock, Norlander projected Banchero to go No. 1 overall to the Orlando Magic.
"Having the Duke star at No. 1 should not be a contrarian opinion. Banchero was the best freshman in college hoops last season, he led his team to the Final Four, he has an NBA-ready body, he has a litany of skills and is one of the best passing bigs in this year's draft."
— Matt Norlander wrote in his column
Banchero, who is a 6-foot-10 forward, averaged 17.2 points per game with the Blue Devils last season. He produced 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, shooting 47.8% from the floor during his only season at the collegiate level.
