The NBA Draft takes place this Thursday at New York's Barclays Center and while there's a crystal-clear pecking order at Nos. 1 and 2 with Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, we see plenty of intrigue beginning with the No. 3 pick and beyond. And that's were you can find value betting the 2019 NBA Draft odds.**video
Here are six NBA Draft predictions and picks (odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
De'Andre Hunter Draft Position
Picks 1-5: -112
Picks 6+: -112
Hunter's ultimate draft position is one of the most divisive bets available, with oddsmakers placing an even split on his shot at going inside the Top 5. Some mocks have the Virginia standout going to the Pelicans at No. 4 but others have him falling outside the Top 5, going to either the Phoenix Suns at No. 6 or the Chicago Bulls at No. 7. What the Pelicans do with that pick – acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in last week's Anthony Davis – could have a significant impact on where Hunter goes. We're guessing the Pelicans either use the pick on Hunter or trade it to someone else who wants him. Either way, we like him to be a Top-5 pick despite what some mock drafts are suggesting.
PREDICTION: Picks 1-5
Jarrett Culver Draft Position
Picks 1-5: -148
Picks 6+: +116
Culver is certainly one of the more versatile picks in this draft but will that be enough to land the Texas Tech phenom inside the Top 5? We don't think so. It's strictly a numbers game, with Williamson, Morant and R.J. Barrett widely expected to be the first three picks Thursday. That leaves Hunter, Darius Garland and Culver to battle for the final two spots in the Top 5. And despite what we suggested above, if the Pelicans deal this pick, it could very well be to a team looking to snag Garland and shore up the guard position. Hunter would then be the favorite to go fifth overall to a Cleveland team in need of frontcourt help. Add it up, and Culver's shot at being a Top-5 pick isn't great.
PREDICTION: Picks 6+
Sekou Doumbouya Draft Position
Picks 1-9: -126
Picks 10+: -102
This draft is somewhat light on international flavor, with only two or three overseas players expected to be taken in the first round depending on which mock you read. Doumbouya, a 6-foot-10 Frenchman, is the top international player in the overwhelming majority of mocks but faces an uphill climb to break into a Top-8 group that appears close to set (or at least, as close as you can be this far out.) There's a chance the Washington Wizards could take a shot on Doumbouya with the No. 9 pick, but no one really knows what to expect from the Wizards at this point. They're the Top-10 team most likely to upset the balance given the current state of their roster and upper management. We see Doumbouya getting taken outside the Top 9 picks.
PREDICTION: Picks 10+
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Rui Hachimura Draft Position
Picks 1-13: -192
Picks 14+: +150
Hachimura was a pivotal figure in Gonzaga's mostly-successful season, averaging 19.7 points to go along with 6.5 rebounds and a 59-percent field goal success rate. And, of all the players expected to be taken in the Top 12, Hachimura is one of the few who reportedly has an existing guarantee from a team: the Minnesota Timberwolves, who pick 11th. Of course, a lot can happen between now and when the Timberwolves are on the clock, but it should surprise no one that Minnesota is enamored with what the 6-foot-8 native of Japan brings to the floor as a great complement to Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins (should he stay put). Promises can be broken, but we think this one sticks.
PREDICTION: Picks 1-13
Number of Freshmen Taken in the Top 10
Over 5.5: -230
Under 5.5: +150
This draft is expected to be top-heavy from a freshman standpoint, with Williamson, Barrett, Garland and Coby White all projected to be taken in the first seven picks depending on whose mock you favor. From there, uncertainty takes over. But there are a number of other first-year collegiate players expected to be in the running for a Top-10 draft position, including Jaxson Hayes, Nassir Little, Cam Reddish and Tyler Herro. We believe Reddish will be taken inside the Top 10 given his versatile skill set and Duke pedigree, while either Hayes or Little could easily wind up going to Atlanta at No. 8 or 10 or Washington at No. 9. We think the chances of six or more freshmen getting taken in the Top 10 are very strong.
PREDICTION: Over 5.5
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Number of North Carolina Players Taken in the Top 10
Over 1.5: +240
Under 1.5: -370
This one comes down to where you believe Little will be selected. White is a virtual lock to be taken in the Top 10, and should have no shortage of suitors between the Pelicans at No. 4 (assuming they keep the pick), Cleveland at No. 5 and Phoenix at No. 6. And, as we discussed above, Little is being mocked inside the Top 10 in a few places, with the strongest connection being made to that Wizards pick at No. 9. Even if Washington passes on him, Atlanta has two picks in the Top 10 and could use Little's athleticism and explosiveness to pair with its other first-round pick and the young core it's built. We see Little as a Top 10-caliber player, and believe there's good value in expecting him to be taken inside the Top 10.
PREDICTION: Over 1.5
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