Best NBA Player Props Today: Austin Not Lost in Trade Deadline Shuffle

Prop bet #1: White's house

The Chicago Bulls are heavily involved in the rumor mill ahead of the NBA trade deadline, and it isn't just with one of their players. DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Andre Drummond are all seeing significant interest from contending teams, and it looks like they could all be on the move.

What we do know about the Bulls is that Coby White is untouchable; the Bulls have stated that, and White is the new face of this franchise. If the Bulls decide to reload, White is staying put, and that's why he's someone I'm targeting on Thursday.

White is seeing his points total trade at 24.5 and his assists total trade at 5.5. If DeRozan is traded, you'll have an edge on either number on Thursday against the Memphis Grizzlies, but to protect ourselves if the Bulls don't trade anyone, I'm attacking the assists prop. Whether DeRozan is traded or he plays on Thursday, I think you have an edge with the Over 5.5 (+114) against the Grizzlies.

When the Grizzlies and Bulls played on January 20, White only had 5 assists, but on 12 potential assists. That was with DeRozan dominating the ball, as DeRozan had 13 potential assists as well. That game wasn't all that long ago, but White's role has continued to evolve even since then. In his last eight games, White is averaging 13.5 potential assists per game, which is a big number for someone trading at 5.5 (+114).

White will also be facing the Grizzlies, who are completely ravaged by injuries, and Jaren Jackson Jr. is questionable to play on Thursday. If Jackson is out, the Grizzlies will be without their rim protector, which will help White convert potential assists to his teammates, specifically Nikola Vucevic.

I like these Coby White odds either way, but if the Bulls do begin to trade everyone before the deadline, you could be sitting on a prop for White where his usage rate will be through the roof. White is projected to drop 5.9 dimes on Thursday against the Grizzlies, which allows us to price the Over 5.5 assists at -112, but it is trading at DraftKings at +114.

Coby White prop: Over 5.5 assists (+114 at DraftKings)

Prop bet #2: Grass is Greener

Josh Green? If I told you we were betting on an assists prop for a Dallas Mavericks player on Thursday against the New York Knicks, you would think I was about to say Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving, but it's Josh Green odds we're seeing an edge with.

Green's minutes are way up of late for the Mavericks, as he's averaging 33.5 minutes per game since returning to the lineup nine games ago. Green was only averaging around 23 minutes per game earlier in the season, and with the Mavericks taking on the New York Knicks on Thursday, I think it's safe to assume we will see 33.5 minutes for Green and even more.

The Mavericks' defense is weak at the point of attack; that isn't a secret, and the bulk of the Knicks' scoring is coming from the backcourt of Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo. We should see Green as the primary defender on Brunson, which will keep his minutes elevated.

So why the assists prop for Green? Well, for one, I don't think this total is reflective of his elevated minutes, but we are also seeing the Mavericks use Green as a screener in the pick-and-roll for Doncic. With Doncic being so good at calling his own number from deep off the bounce, teams are blitzing him, and he's finding Green at the nail. This leaves help defense rotating over to cover Green, and Green has options for potential assists thanks to the blitz on Doncic.

Green is projected to have 2.7 assists on Thursday against the Knicks, which isn't quite the three dimes we will need for a green checkmark, but it's the +130 price point that is the key to this wager. With this projection, we can price Green at +102 to have Over 2.5 assists against the Knicks.

Josh Green prop: Over 2.5 assists (+130 at bet365)

Prop bet #3: Be-Reaves-ment

Austin Reaves odds are being priced on Thursday as if D'Angelo Russell, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis are all playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. James and Davis are both questionable with injuries and could very well play, but Russell?

I don't see how Russell survives the trade deadline as a member of the Lakers, and if that's the case, this Reaves points prop, which is already showing an edge if Russell does play, is definitely worth a unit.

Reaves was just trading at 16.5 against the Charlotte Hornets, with everyone in the lineup, and now you're going to give us a 14.5 with a potential for elevated minutes and usage? I'm hitting the button on this one.

If Russell is traded, whoever the Lakers receive in return won't be there to play on Thursday, which means Reaves could be in for heavy minutes against the Denver Nuggets because there's no depth in the backcourt for this Lakers roster. Both Cam Reddish and Gabe Vincent are out with injuries, and even Jarred Vanderbilt, who isn't necessarily a guard but also sees a nice chunk of minutes per game, is out with an injury.

The idea that either James or Davis could miss this game is a bonus, but I just think you need to attack this prop with it trading at 14.5 points because of Russell. If Russell is out on Thursday because of a trade, that will just force Reaves into a ton of shots and minutes, and this prop isn't being traded as if this is a possibility.

Did I mention Reaves averaged 21.3 points per game against the Nuggets last season in the Western Conference Finals and went Over this total in all four games?

Reaves is projected to score 15.9 points against the Nuggets on Thursday, which allows us to price the Over 14.5 points at -130, but it is trading at -115 at bet365.

Austin Reaves prop: Over 14.5 points (-115 at bet365)