Old North Banter
Fansided

New Favorite Emerges for Hornets at No. 6 in NBA Draft

By Joe Summers

Team Detlef forward Matas Buzelis (13) of G League Ignite goes up for the game-winning shot over Team Pau forward Brandon Miller (24) of the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, during the 2024 Panini Rising Stars Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Team Detlef forward Matas Buzelis (13) of G League Ignite goes up for the game-winning shot over Team Pau forward Brandon Miller (24) of the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, during the 2024 Panini Rising Stars Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. / Joe Timmerman/IndyStar / USA TODAY
facebooktwitterreddit

The 2024 NBA Draft is just one week away and betting odds suggest there is a new favorite to go No. 6 overall to the Charlotte Hornets.

Previously, betting odds favored Connecticut guard Stephon Castle, though now G League Ignite forward Matas Buzelis is the betting favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook. Buzelis is a logical fit for the Hornets thanks to his size, shooting touch, and versatility, so Charlotte fans should be excited about the potential selection.

He's been tied to the Hornets in mock drafts, yet this is the first time betting markets have matched those projections.

Matas Buzelis Becomes Betting Favorite for Hornets' No. 6 NBA Draft Pick

Player

Betting Odds

Matas Buzelis

+280

Stephon Castle

+290

Dalton Knecht

+380

Reed Sheppard

+1000

From FanDuel's odds, it looks like a three man race between Buzelis, Castle, and reigning SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht. Any of the three would be fine selections, though Buzelis could have the highest long-term upside alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.

While he only shot 27.3% from beyond the arc with the Ignite, Buzelis made three-pointers at a 43.1% clip his senior year of high school. He's 6'10" with the ability to switch defensively and possesses a high vertical and quickness measurements.

At only 19 years old, Buzelis has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in this class. With the Ignite, he averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and just under one steal per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. For that to be his first experience against grown men, it was quite impressive.

He even hit the game-winning shot over the Hornets' Brandon Miller during the 2024 Rising Stars Game. Perhaps that moment will become a neat memory for fans if current odds wind up correct.

Buzelis was once in consideration for the first overall pick in this draft but has since fallen back to Charlotte's range. It's a tight battle and the odds may change over the next week, though for now it looks like the Hornets will get an exciting player regardless of what happens.

More Charlotte Hornets News:

feed

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Home/Charlotte Hornets