Players with best odds of becoming No. 1 pick after draft lottery
The Orlando Magic were rewarded the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft on Tuesday and the conversation surrounding which player will be the top pick will begin to heat up now that the order is set.
The consensus is that Duke forward Paolo Banchero, Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren and Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. are the three front-runners to hear their names called first on June 23. According to one report, the race may even now be between Holmgren and Smith.
With the top pick in tow, the Magic will now begin to ramp up their preparations by hosting those prospects for workouts and interviews. The team will do its homework on each player to best determine who will be the best long-term fit.
With the draft order now set, Rookie Wire took a look at the prospects with the best odds of becoming the No. 1 pick, according to the Tipico Sportsbook. The odds will certainly change before the draft but here is how things stand:
Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Odds: +30000
AJ Griffin, Duke
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Odds: +30000
Johnny Davis, Wisconsin
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Odds: +20000
Keegan Murray, Iowa
Jenna Watson/IndyStar
Odds: +20000
Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Odds: +20000
Shaedon Sharpe, Kentucky
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Odds: +5000
Jaden Ivey, Purdue
Mitchell Leff-USA TODAY Sports
Odds: +3000
Paolo Banchero, Duke
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Odds: +330
Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Odds: +125
Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn
Jake Crandall/The Montgomery Advertiser
Odds: -135
