There seems to be a consensus top-3 when the NBA draft is held on June 22.
Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson are almost unanimously the top trio in mock drafts, but there is much less clarity after that.
Houston power forward Jarace Walker is projected to be in the next tier of prospects, generally being placed in the 7-12 range of mock drafts, depending on the outlet.
However, DraftKings sportsbook has unveiled odds for his draft selection, and they seem to be more optimistic than the consensus perspective.
Walker is +155 to be a top-5 pick, which are underdog odds but not overwhelmingly so. He has -190 odds to be chosen at the No. 6 selection or later. While going beyond the No. 5 pick is the favorite, the betting odds make it clear that Walker could certainly go in the top-5, and that it wouldn’t be a huge upset.
Walker averaged 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman with the Cougars. The 6-foot-8 big man is known for his elite defensive prowess, and has also shown flashes on the offensive end.
In every draft there are risers, and DraftKings has put an aggressive line for Walker’s draft positioning. He will need to beat out fellow top prospects like Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Anthony Black and Cam Whitmore in order to finish under the 5.5 cut-off, which would pay out at those +155 odds.
Walker has been projected to land with the Indiana Pacers at the No. 7 overall pick by several prominent mock drafts. The NBA Draft Lottery will be held on Tuesday, and that could shake up the board depending on how the ping-pong balls fall.
Many might think the -190 betting odds are a good wager, as Walker has rarely been put in the top-5 in mock drafts. Does DraftKings have this line correct, or will the favored side of the bet be an easy cash?
Only time will tell, but it’s certainly intriguing to see that the sportsbook believes Jarace Walker could go in the top-5 in the NBA draft.
