Depending on your sportsbook, there’s probably several different prop bets you can take for the 2019 NBA Draft. Considering most of our readers are likely in New Jersey, we decided to look at some of the props FanDuel is offering. Here are our three favorite wagers via FanDuel sportsbook.
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Darius Garland to go in Picks 1-5 (-167):
There was a report Wednesday about New York working out the Vanderbilt guard which also included that it was likely due diligence from the Knicks and they’re ready to take Duke’s RJ Barrett with the third overall selection. Having said that, in what’s viewed as a three-player draft, Garland presents teams outside of the top three with the biggest upside. Every draft usually has a mystery man or two, and Garland is certainly this year’s in the NBA. He played just five games at Vanderbilt due to a meniscus injury but the 6-foot-2 point guard has drawn comparisons to Damian Lillard thanks to his well-rounded offensive repertoire. In a draft that lacks depth, it makes a lot of sense for a team at the top to take a swing on Garland. New Orleans at No. 4 would make the most sense given the Pelicans have already restocked the cupboard with lots of young talent through the Anthony Davis trade and winning the lottery to presumably land Zion Williamson. The Pelicans should throw the dart on Garland and if they don’t, look for a team to trade up at No. 5 with Cleveland for Garland’s rights considering Cleveland selected point guard Collin Sexton in the first round last year. Someone’s going to roll the dice here given the rest of the uncertainty in the lottery.
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Over 1.5 North Carolina Players to go in the Top 10 (+162):
Coby White is a safe bet for the first Tar Heel to come off the board in the Top 10 and is why this total is at 1.5 in the first place. So then this becomes a bet on Nassir Little. The North Carolina wing underachieved in his only season in Chapel Hill, but similar to Garland, Little going in the top 10 is largely a bet on his athleticism and upside. It feels like every year athletic wings that can’t shoot get drafted higher than they should. At this price, there’s probably good value on over 1.5 Tar Heels in the Top 10.
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Over 0.5 Gonzaga Players to go in the Top 10 (+174):
As we’ve hinted at, it’s tricky to get a read on how the rest of the lottery will play out after Williamson, Ja Morant and Barrett come off the board with the first three picks. Gonzaga has two prospects that could be lottery picks and we’re getting over 0.5 Zags in the top 10 at close to 2-1. Thanks to the success of the Golden State Warriors, there’s probably going to be more and more of a place for the small-ball center in the NBA. Brandon Clarke would seem to fit that bill at 6-8 having won the WCC Defensive Player of the Year last season at Gonzaga averaging over three blocks per game. Rui Hachimura showed some improved offensive versatility in his final season under Mark Few, attempting and making 10 more three pointers than he did in 2017-18. By no means is Hachimura a shooter, but he showed he can stretch the floor which is important for bigs in today’s game and he shot well from the free throw line too. He averaged a tick below 20 points per game in his final season with the Bulldogs and would be a nice high-floor option for a team that’s more risk adverse in the top 10.