The NBA Finals are over, with the Denver Nuggets capturing their first-ever title earlier this month. The next big event on the NBA calendar is the NBA Draft coming up on June 22.
Victor Wembanyama, a rising French basketball star, is highly likely to join the San Antonio Spurs – the NBA Draft projections everywhere have this as a lock. However, other skilled players may also have the potential to alter the future of whichever team they end up with through their NBA Draft picks.
First Draft Pick
The San Antonio Spurs will claim the number-one pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. As a result of their favorable placement during the NBA Draft Lottery, the selection of Wembanyama above everyone else in the NBA Draft predictions is anticipated for the Spurs.
| Player | Odds |
| Victor Wembanyama | -20000 |
| Other | +5000 |
This marks a resemblance to when LeBron James was chosen by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a past NBA draft. Considering Wembanyama’s skillset on the court, it’s evident that he is the clear top choice.
Second Draft Pick
The Charlotte Hornets will face a challenging choice between Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller when it’s time for their 2023 NBA Draft pick. They may even opt to trade their pick to avoid making the tough decision.
Miller, one of the top candidates to show off in the NBA player stats, is reportedly being directed toward the Charlotte Hornets, causing the NBA Draft predictions to be unable to zero in. However, the betting competition has predicted that Miller is the favorite to go to the Hornets as the second pick.
| Player | Odds |
| Brandon Miller | -140 |
| Scoot Henderson | +100 |
| Any Other | +5000 |
Third Draft Pick
Depending on who the Hornets pick, the other top candidate will likely go next, with the Portland Trail Blazers picking up the third spot. This means that Miller or Henderson will likely play for Portland next year, according to the NBA draft projections.
| Player | Odds |
| Brandon Miller | -385 |
| Scoot Henderson | -175 |
| Amen Thompson | +245 |
| Ausar Thompson | -350 |
| Jarace Walker | -475 |
| Cam Whitmore | -500 |
Fourth Draft Pick
Due to how the NBA Draft Lottery chips fell, the Houston Rockets were left with no choice but to accept the fourth pick. A popular belief among analysts and fans alike is that either Amen Thompson or Cam Whitmore will be selected as the fourth pick.
| Player | Odds |
| Amen Thompson | -125 |
| Ausar Thompson | +1000 |
| Brandon Miller | +2000 |
| Jarace Walker | +2000 |
| Cam Whitmore | +145 |
| Anthony Black | +5000 |
| Taylor Hendricks | +5000 |
| Scoot Henderson | +2500 |
At a height of 6’7″, Amen Thompson boasts impressive rebounding abilities and remarkable range for a point guard. He’s widely recognized for his explosive moves on the court, dribbling with ease toward the hoop, and has a proven track record as a skilled passer.
Thompson dropped out of school to participate in the Overtime Elite league. He had a successful 2022-23 season with the City Reapers, with an average of 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. That caught the attention of a number of NBA teams ahead of the upcoming draft.
Head-to-head
There are also several head-to-head options for bettors looking to see how the next NBA schedule lines up. Four players, in particular, stand out in the NBA draft projections.
Keyonte George vs. Jordan Hawkins
Despite Keyonte George’s effective field goal percentage being only 47% during his tenure at Baylor, his greater level of strength gives him a greater potential than Jordan Hawkins at the higher level.
| Player | Odds |
| Keyonte George | -145 |
| Jordan Hawkins | +115 |
Hawkins’ performance as a shooter can’t be denied, but George holds his own in terms of creating his shots and scoring off rebounds. The GM won’t have a hard time picking either player for the first turn.
Anthony Black vs. Taylor Hendricks
Anthony Black is currently tied with the Orlando Magic as the potential number-six pick. Although he possesses remarkable intelligence in the game of basketball, his performance falls short of Thompson’s, and he lacks finesse when it comes to shots from afar. Therefore, despite being the favorite in the head-to-head with Taylor Hendricks, he could lose his spot.
| Players | Odds |
| Anthony Black | -190 |
| Taylor Hendricks | +155 |
Hendricks boasts an impressive height of 6’9″ and possesses versatility in his play style, being able to contribute to the team’s success in various positions. Given his abilities, he could potentially adapt well to the fast pace of the NBA.
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