With the 2022 Finals now firmly in the rear view, the best sites for NBA betting will squarely shift their focus to offseason lines. And the first big event on the calendar will be the 2022 NBA Draft futures.
This year’s prospect pageant will be taking place on Thursday, June 23. And in advance of the draft, everyone is wondering who the Orlando Magic will take with the No. 1 pick. Their choice ostensibly comes down to the three players: Jabari Smith of Auburn, Chet Holmgren of Gonzaga, and Paolo Banchero of Duke.
While mock drafts and big boards around the internet have slotted the three big men in all different orders, a clear favorite has emerged among the trio when looking at the betting odds on who will go No. 1 in the 2022 NBA draft:
Coming out of the 2022 March Madness Tournament, it was thought the first-overall prospect would be a toss-up between any one of the aforementioned three. And yet, the above odds make it seem like Jabari Smith is the no-brainer favorite. Is that accurate? That’s what we’re here to figure out.
But first, with a little ways to go before the 2022 NBA Draft actually gets underway, you’ll want to double-check these basketball betting lines for any last-minute changes. And if you need to find a sportsbook to use for 2022 NBA Draft betting, you needn’t go any further. We have everything from reviews of the best online betting sites in the United States to the top betting sites for BitCoin users.
Jabari Smith Jr. (-500) has become a heavy favorite in recent weeks because multiple reports have cited the Magic remain locked in on selecting him. Orlando needs an infusion of offensive talent, and Smith is the most polished offensive player among the top-three prospects. He can attack off the dribble, finish through contact, drain spot-up jumpers and hit off-the-bounce shots. There is some serious playmaking potential, at both the 4 and 5 spots, as well.
Still, the Magic’s roster situation complicates matters. They already have two cornerstone bigs in Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr. Smith. Smith has the offensive range to play with either, but it isn’t clear whether all three can play at the same time.
Many experts are also concerned that Smith won’t be able to hold up on switches in the NBA long term. And knowing how much Orlando’s front office has historically prioritized versatility on that end, his limitations could theoretically be a deal-breaker.
Draft nerds seem to really want the Magic to select Chet Holmgren (+300). We understand where they’re coming from.
Despite being a big man in size, Holmgren is billed as a transcendent and positionless defender—someone who can terrorize opponents around the rim and anchor a system as the backline protector but who will also hold up guarding ball-handlers and smaller players on the perimeter. That type of talent is rare. It is even rarer when partnered with a tantalizing offensive package.
Most view Holmgren as a career center, which would make him an awkward fit with Carter. But he’s not some plodding big.
Holmgren should be able to defend centers, power forwards, small forwards, and even some guards. He also has three-point range on offense, so while playing next to Carter would preclude him from being the primary screener and roller for stretches, the Magic wouldn’t have to worry about cramping their floor balance.
Paolo Banchero (+1400) has been considered an afterthought option for the Magic. We’re not sure why.
Perhaps it’s because many don’t believe he’ll be able to hold up defensively at the 5, which ostensibly means he could be a one-position player. We don’t buy it. Banchero has the mobility to help out around the rim. If he gets stronger, he will be able to tussle with larger 5s.
And even if he doesn’t, Banchero won’t be limited to playing just the 4. He has the offensive ball-handling skills and off-the-dribble shot-making of a wing. And knowing just how badly the Magic need self-starters on the offensive end, he’s worth a second and third look if they’re not already in love with him.
Jabari Smith Jr. feels like the right call here in the end.
Mind you, we’re basing this on what we think will happen, not what should happen. Banchero feels like the best fit for the Magic among these three bigs.
But the NBA draft isn’t about fit when you’re selecting this high. You’re supposed to go best player available. And truthfully, that would be Chet Holmgren. We just aren’t sure whether the Magic trust his offense relative to their current roster.
Jabari seems to straddle the line between drafting for fit and talent. He is extremely plug-and-play at the offensive end, but his ball skills are potentially glitzy enough to be the primary on a really good team—so glitzy, in fact, they overshadow his defensive concerns. Coupled with the overwhelming amount of reporting that says the Magic have zeroed in on him, it doesn’t make sense to roll with Holmgren or Banchero right now.
SBS Prediction: Jabari Smith (-500)
Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all of your 2022 NBA Draft betting:
About the Author
Around the age of 12, Dan realized, sadly, he’d never become a professional basketball player. It turns out people under 6’0” who can’t dribble or shoot aren’t touted prospects. Who knew?! Anyway, once it became clear he could play professional sports, he figured the next best thing to do was cover them. So, that’s what he did. And continues to do. Dan has worked in the pro sports analysis industry since 2011, giving him almost 15 years total experience. Though started out covering and continues to be enamored by the NBA, he has spent the past decade or so expanding his expertise and analysis to the NFL, NHL, MLB, tennis, esports and golf. Over the past few years, Dan has cannonballed into full-on sports betting news coverage. He remains fascinated by the impact the legalization of gambling in the United States is having on the country. It has, in so many ways, changed everything about how we consume sports. Is that good? Bad? Does it all even out in the end? His coverage has always and will continue trying to reconcile the duality of this industry, pro sports at large and their influence. In his spare time, Dan enjoys honing his weightlifting, eating enough sweet potatoes to feed a rather large family, binge-watching his all-time favorite shows (Psych is the goat!) and hanging out with his three dogs, all of whom are Cockaliers, Thor, Wade and Cosmo. Typically, though, if he’s not eating or sleeping, Dan is watching or covering sports—and loving basically every minute of it.
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