Andrew Wiggins is Vegas favorite to be no. 1 pick in NBA Draft
By Sam Richmond
Vegas has spoken, and the expected No. 1 overall pick in tonight’s much-anticipated NBA Draft is Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins, followed by Duke’s Jabari Parker and Wiggins’ Jayhawk teammate, Joel Embiid, according to Bovada.
Andrew Wiggins now the odds on favorite to be picked #1 according to Vegas: Wiggins 2/7, Jabari Parker 9/4, Joel Embiid 12/1 (h/t @bovadaLV)
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2014
It’s hardly a shock to see Wiggins given the best odds. He’s been at the No. 1 spot in the majority of notable mock drafts since the foot injury that will sideline Embiid for the next 4-6 months was announced. The Canadian forward is an excellent fit for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and if they hold onto the No. 1 pick, he should be their man.
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Parker is predictably given the No. 2 spot, since Embiid’s injury made Jabari and Wiggins the clear-cut top two prospects. According to Yahoo Sports’ Marc J. Spears, the Cavs have no problem taking Parker No.1, despite the prospect making it well known he doesn’t want to play for them. Parker’s odds are also improved because of the possibility that Cleveland could trade the pick to another team.
It is interesting to see Joel Embiid listed as a potential No. 1 pick. There have been very few rumblings of him still being an option there following the injury. While Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio reported Wednesday that Cleveland still had interest in Embiid, he noted it’s unlikely they would select him without trading down first.
With all the talk of Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker and even Dante Exum, it should be noted Cavs have not yet written off Joel Embiid.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 25, 2014
Still say Cavs only take Embiid if they trade down, but that's just my gut. My gut also occasionally tells me to go to Taco Bell at 1 am.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 25, 2014
Also, with Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that Embiid’s likely landing sports are at pick No. 3, No. 6 and No.7, there seems to be little incentive for a team to trade up all the way to No. 1 if they covet Embiid.
Expect Wiggins to go No.1, with Parker as the only other realistic option there.