Banchero, Smith, Holmgren All See Draft Odds Shift Morning Of

Paolo Banchero has shifted from +1800 to -150 to be drafted first overall.
Jabari Smith has +120 odds to be drafted first overall.
Chet Holmgren has refused medical records to teams which have caused his odds to fall to +800.

NEW YORK – The chaos surrounding the NBA Draft has already started the morning of with a major odds change in the first overall pick. The three names that have all been rumored to be selected with the first overall pick include Jamari Smith from Auburn, Paolo Banchero of Duke, and Chet Holmgren from Gonzaga.

All have been favored to go first at some point before the draft.

Fast track to Thursday and Paolo Banchero jumped from +1500 odds one week ago to now favored at -150. The shift also pushed back Jabari Smith from the favored spot at -165 to now +120.
Holmgren remained with the third shortest odds, however, sportsbooks show his odds to go first are not likely as they shifted to +800 from +125.

2022 NBA Draft Odds To Go #1

Paolo Banchero -150
Jabari Smith +120
Chet Holmgren +800
Jaden Ivey +15000
Shaedon Sharpe +15000
A.J. Griffin +20000

The Amazing Race: Banchero Vs. Smith

Although there were reports of the Orlando Magic having already locked Jabari Smith at the number one pick, it seems that those reports have since fallen through.

The Magic have been known to draft lengthy big men with their draft picks. For example, Jonathan Isaac, Mo Bamba, and Chuma Okeke. With that, adding Smith would just add to the abundance of players that have that same skillset making the case for Banchero much stronger.

Banchero’s style of play includes elite shooting from anywhere on the floor and the physicality in the paint that the Magic are used to. Banchero put up similar hustle stats to Smith that includes better rebounding numbers (7.8) and assists (3.2), and similar blocks (0.9) and steals (1.1).

He also shot an impressive 47.8% from the field compared to Smith’s 42.9%.

He would also help the team add to their much-needed depth at small forward that includes second-year player, Franz Wagner, and NBA veteran Terrence Ross who they have been actively shopping in the trade market.

The Rise & Fall Of Chet Holmgren

When the odds opened, Chet Holmgren was the heavy favorite to be drafted first overall. However, that has since changed due to the actions that Holmgren has taken.

He has made it very clear that he would like to play for the Oklahoma City Thunder and get drafted second overall. In doing so though, he has refused his medical records to the Orlando Magic in hopes that they do not select him first.

The Thunder have shown no signs of them skipping over Holmgren meaning he will likely go with the second overall pick. With all unfolding, it is clear as to why his odds have gone from +125 down to +800.

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Sam Profeta

Samuel has been writing professionally for 4 years. He comes from a sports writing background where he enjoys writing mostly about basketball and football both professional and collegiate. He is a recent graduate of Florida State University where he majored in Editing, Writing and Media with a minor in Communications. During his free time, you can find him watching or playing sports as well as playing videogames and listening to music.