Paolo Banchero or Chet Holmgren? That is the question everyone is trying to answer in advance of the 2022 NBA Draft, which will be taking place on Thursday, June 23, around 8 p.m. EST. And guess what? We’ve got an answer.
When it comes to Banchero vs. Holmgren predictions, we’re really trying to figure out who will go No. 2. Our 2022 NBA futures already have Jabari Smith going No. 1 to the Orlando Magic. So, we’re more interested in the odds on who will be selected second overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. We’re also going to tackle picks for how the rest of the top five of the 2022 NBA Draft will play out. After all, most of the best betting sites for the NBA are laying NBA draft prop odds. Why wouldn’t we capitalize on them?
Let’s begin with the odds to be selected second overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, which come courtesy of Bovada:
| Pick to Go No. 2 |  |
|---|---|
| Chet Holmgren | -160 |
| Paolo Banchero | +350 |
| Jaden Ivey | +2000 |
| Shaedon Sharpe | +6000 |
| Keegan Murray | +10000 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | +20000 |
| A.J. Griffin | +20000 |
| Johnny Davis | +30000 |
| Dyson Daniels | +30000 |
| Jalen Duren | +30000 |
At present, betting odds on the 2022 NBA draft are moving at a furious pace. Make sure you’re double-checking these NBA draft betting lines, which are accurate entering June 21, before settling on any picks. And if you still need to find a home for all your basketball betting, definitely check out our reviews of the top online sportsbooks.
Lots of reports circulating suggest that the Oklahoma City Thunder could trade the No. 2 pick or take Paolo Banchero at No. 2 rather than Chet Holmgren.
We’re calling B.S.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti has historically kept his draft-day plans close to the vest. Ditto for trade rumors. Oklahoma City seldom lets word leak about their plan.
This suggests, to us, that they’re going to take Holmgren himself—exactly the type of transcendent defender they could use in the middle.
OSB Prediction: Chet Holmgren (-160)
Here are the betting odds for who will be taken at No. 3 in the 2022 NBA draft:
Some have suggested the Houston Rockets will consider taking Jaden Ivey if Chet Holmgren is off the board at No. 3. We’re not buying this scuttlebutt, either.
Houston does need a point guard, and Ivey could be a tantalizing fit next to Jalen Green. But the Rockets just traded Christian Wood, another big man, which suggests they plan to draft one at No. 3.
Process of elimination gets us to Banchero, a potential cornerstone offensive player. If Smith and Holmgren are off the board, as expected, this is a no-brainer for Houston.
OSB Prediction: Paolo Banchero (-550)
Here are the betting odds for will be taken at No. 4 in the 2022 NBA draft:
In recent weeks, oddsmakers have added more names to the fourth-overall-pick fold. This speaks to the unpredictability of the Sacramento Kings, who currently own the selection.
While many NBA teams draft the best player available, regardless of fit, some go the other way. And because the Kings are itching to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006, and also because they already have a point guard in De’Aaron Fox, the belief is that they might roll the dice on a wing.
Maybe this is true. But this is considered a draft with four potential stars. The Kings would be foolish to pass on Ivey if the three big men are off-limits. And if Sacramento does decide to pass on Ivey, they’ll likely move the No. 4 pick for an additional asset to a team that takes him anyway.
OSB Prediction: Jaden Ivey (-400)
Here are the betting odds for who will be taken at No. 5 in the 2022 NBA Draft:
If we assume the Paolo Banchero vs. Chet Holmgren debate is settled in the top three, the 2022 NBA draft really begins at No. 5. There are four consensus best players in this class. There is no fifth. Experts have pegged everyone from Keegan Murray to Shaedon Sharpe to Jalen Duren to Mark Williams as a possibility.
Get ready for another curveball…because we’re picking Bennedict Mathurin. The Detroit Pistons, owners of the No. 5 selection, are known to value defensive versatility on the wings. They also need off-ball shooting. Mathurin provides both, and he comes with the added upside of some on-ball skills.
Keep an eye on this spot. The right choice will change if the Pistons make a trade to move up for down. For now, though, we like the idea of taking a chance on Mathurin and his 6.5-to-1 payout.
Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one to use for all of your NBA betting in 2022:
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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