Betting Odds Suggest Hornets Locking in on First-Round Target
By Joe Summers
The Charlotte Hornets have been tied to a number of different prospects in anticipation of the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday, but they're now favored to come away with star Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht.
Charlotte has shown heavy interest in Knecht throughout the pre-draft process, though betting odds previously had G League Ignite forward Matas Buzelis favored to join LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Now, the reigning SEC Player of the Year is pulling away in the race.
In what was a tight race at sportsbooks, odds at both FanDuel and DraftKings now suggest Knecht is the likely selection.
Updated Charlotte Hornets First-Round Betting Odds
Player | FanDuel Odds | DraftKings Odds |
|---|---|---|
Dalton Knecht | +270 | +275 |
Donovan Clingan | +430 | +400 |
Matas Buzelis | +500 | +500 |
Stephon Castle | +550 | +425 |
There is some discrepancy on the back-end of the top four, though both sportsbooks agree that Knecht is the clear favorite. A lot can change in the next 48 hours but Hornets fans may want to start watching some highlights from the former Volunteer.
Reasonable minds can disagree on Knecht's potential fit on the roster, yet it's exciting nonetheless to think about the offensive possibilities. In his only season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 39.7% from beyond the arc.
It's still possible that Charlotte trades up or down for different prospects, and Knecht has legitimate defensive deficiencies that could create a complicated fit alongside Ball. Offensively, the Hornets would immediately have a core that could compete with most other young trios in the Eastern Conference.
With new head coach Charles Lee hoping to form a new identity with the roster, Knecht is one of the few prospects in the draft class who could start from day one. If the Hornets want to make a splash early in Lee's tenure, Knecht would make a lot of sense.
His ceiling may not be as high as some other players but he likely has the highest floor of any player who will be available at No. 6.
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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.