Prepare for a wild day around the NBA with trade rumors flying ahead of tonight's draft. About the only thing we know with near certainty is that Auburn's Jabari Smith will go first overall to Orlando, Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren will go second to Oklahoma City, and Duke's Paolo Banchero third to Houston. All books have taken down odds to go 1-2-3 at this point as those selections are considered such sure things.'DraftKings has an interesting prop active: Which player will be the Chicag o Bulls' first pick tonight? Former Santa Clara guard Jalen Williams is favored at +500.
A reminder that this prop is tied simply to whichever player is the Bulls' initial pick – the pick doesn't have to happen where Chicago is currently slotted at No. 18 overall. If the team trades that selection and only has a second-round pick (which it currently doesn't), for example, this prop remains active if you bet it.
The Bulls are in win-now mode assuming they are able to re-sign unrestricted free agent Zach LaVine, and there have been rumors that the team is heavy after Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert. It would take a lot more than the No. 18 pick to get Gobert – a trade would likely involve Nikola Vucevic and other current assets.
Chicago does need defensive help in the frontcourt, yet it's the guard Williams favored on this prop. Last year as a junior at Santa Clara, the 6-foot-6 Williams was first-team All-West Coast Conference and a fina list for the Lou Henson Award, given to the nation's top mid-major player.