by Ben Perks
Vegas oddsmakers have made Jabari Smith the favorite to be picked first overall by the Orlando Magic at -275.
The Magic won the NBA Draft Lottery on May 17 to earn the top pick for the fourth time in their history.
Orlando used its previous top picks to secure the services of big men, such as Dwight Howard (2004), Chris Webber (1993), and Shaquille O’Neal (1992). Online sportsbooks now think the Franchise will repeat the feat and choose the 6-foot-10 Smith. Nevertheless, many pundits believe second favorite Chet Holmgren should be number one.
View the latest NBA draft number one pick betting odds and analyses of top contenders.
Jabari Smith
NBA betting sites decided to make Smith the hot favorite after putting up some impressive numbers with the Auburn Tigers.
The six-foot-10 forward turned 19 in May and averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists with the Tigers to make them a No. 2 seed for March Madness.
Smith impressed scouts and fans with his shot-making skills and ability to hit off-balance shots from all areas of the floor during the tournament. Yet it’s his intensity, drive, and ruthless streak that really turned the heads of NBA franchises and made him the odds-on favorite.
This young player’s incredible shooting and outstanding defensive versatility make him a perfect fit for the Magic.
Since Vegas oddsmakers made him the frontrunner a month ago, they have repeatedly cut his NBA Draft first overall pick odds. This young player’s height, incredible shooting and outstanding defensive versatility make him a perfect fit for the Magic.
The young star would fill the wing role previously held by Jonathan Isaac, who is still recovering from severe injuries since his last game in January 2020, and work well alongside Wendell Carter ($50 million extension) and Mo Bamba.
Chet Holmgren
This 7-feet star is an elite defender that shot 39% from beyond the arc. But despite having the height and talent, many coaches think he lacks the weight required (195 pounds) to compete in the NBA.
Yet these shortcomings haven’t stood in the way of his success so far: the 20-year-old was the top-rated player in the 2021 freshman class and landed on one of the top teams in college basketball with Gonzaga.
Holmgren would be a top pick for most franchises.
Holmgren would be a top pick for most franchises. However, he’s probably not the top choice for the Magic because he’s too similar to Bamba. After missing out on the postseason for the 8th time in 10 seasons, Orlando shouldn’t be worrying about their positional needs too much – but they likely will opt for Smith over Holmgren to avoid unsettling their established star.
Paolo Banchero
Banchero was the leader in NBA draft odds for large spells last season because of his polished game. Although he’s not the Vegas oddsmakers’ favorite right now, Banchero’s combination of height, length, and ability to create makes him the most well-equipped to hit the ground running in the NBA.
Standing at six-foot-10 and 250 pounds, the Italian American is a scoring threat from anywhere on the court and a solid defender. Yet even though the Magic desperately need a player like Banchero (Orlando was 20th in assists and 29th in points), Smith and Holmgren look better fits for the franchise right now.
Still, considering his quality and odds (+1500), he’s a tempting futures option.
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Image credit: Gamecock Central, CC BY 2.0
Ben is a sports journalist & part-time trader with a passion for finding +EV bets. Ben lives in Madrid, Spain where he enjoys the live poker scene, and sunshine where he covers UFC, MLB, NHL, NBA, as well as tennis betting.
