Gross Bombs: NFL Props for Week 16
Josh Gross
The 2024 NBA Draft is just two days away, and there are fantastic betting opportunities in a land of great uncertainty across all Wednesday night’s first round. Using the current odds at DraftKings, here are my top bets for the 2024 NBA Draft.
2024 NBA Draft Best Props
Stephon Castle (Connecticut) to be 3rd Overall Pick (+700)
Stephon Castle (Connecticut) to be Drafted Top 5 (-150)
Stephon Castle may be the best player in this entire draft. He is still just 19 years old, standing 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan. Is he a point guard? Is he a wing? Either way he projects to be a future NBA star.
Castle started as a freshman for the Connecticut Huskies this season and ended their national championship run scoring 21 points and 15 points in the final two matchups against elite NCAA Tournament opponents.
He shot 47% from the field and 76% from the free throw line, leaving 3P shooting as his only weakness. However, Castle showed off an improved 3-point jumper during the NBA Combine, finishing third overall in the 3-point star shooting drill (18-for-25).
He is a brilliant two-way player who guarded the best perimeter player facing UConn all season long. Castle has size, length, defensive ability, winning pedigree and an improved 3P shot for a player who doesn’t turn 20 years old until November.
I would even sprinkle a bet on Castle at No. 2 overall at +3000.
Jared McCain (Duke) Draft Position Under 15.5 (-115)
NBA teams love players with a specific elite skill and that’s precisely what McCain brings with his 3P shooting. One-dimensional players such as Onyeka Okongwu (interior defense), Corey Kispert (shooting), Jeremy Sochan (defense) and Jordan Hawkins (shooting) were all taken earlier than expected because they had a clear advantage over their fellow rookies in a specific skill. That trend will carry over to McCain this season.
The Duke freshman shot 41.4% from 3P range on a robust 5.8 3PA this season, and left a lasting mark in the eyes of recruits with a blistering NCAA Tournament. McCain shot 16-of-32 from deep over the Blue Devils four tournament games, including an insane 8-of-11 performance against JMU in a 93-55 obliteration during the Round of 32. Oklahoma City, Portland and Sacramento all brought McCain in for workouts, and each team holds a pick before this 15.5 position mark.
McCain has the Duke pedigree, age and elite shooting that teams covet as a critical chess piece toward a deep NBA playoff run.
First to Be Drafted — Devin Carter (+115) before Dalton Knecht
I love Dalton Knecht as an NBA prospect, but these odds present incredible value for Devin Carter, who is a better all-around player than Knecht.
Carter was named the Big East Player of Year after refusing to let Providence fall after losing junior forward Bryce Hopkins to a season-ending knee injury. He led the Big East in scoring at 21.4 PPG in league matchups, while adding 8.7 RPG with 12 double-doubles at just 6-foot-2. Carter was a true two-way starter who posted 1.8 SPG and 1.1 BLG as a guard. He absolutely has the 3P shooting range, hitting 38% of his shots on a whopping 223 attempts from deep. Those numbers are almost exactly the same as Knecht, with Carter bringing much better defensive ability.
Carter is 22 years old (one year younger than Knecht), a proven winner and a big-shot maker. His 6-foot-9 wingspan as a prolific two-way guard makes him an NBA draft unicorn with massive upside. The comparison to Marcus Smart is not good enough, as Carter has much better offensive skills. I project Jrue Holiday, someone who scores, plays great defense and hits big shots.
I love both of these players, but I’m grabbing the +115 on Carter for a bet that should be even money (-115) on both sides.
