Duke and top picks go together like peanut butter and jelly. Consider that since 2014, a span of eight drafts, the Blue Devils have had a top-3 pick in six of them (2014, Jabari Parker, 2nd; 2015, Jahlil Okafor, 3rd; 2016, Brandon Ingram, 2nd; 2017, Jayson Tatum, 3rd; 2018, Marvin Bagley, 2nd; 2019, Zion Williamson, 1st; 2019, RJ Barrett, 3rd).

Power forward Paolo Banchero has a legitimate chance to make that number seven in nine years, especially if he can string together a great March Madness in Coach K’s final season on the bench.

The 6-foot-10 Banchero can do a bit of everything, averaging 17.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in more than 32 minutes as a freshman. He has elite scoring potential and is an above-average facilitator. His NBA-ready frame (a muscular 250 pounds) plays well and rids the doubt that his game may change if and when he puts on weight.

He’ll undoubtedly be in the conversation for the top overall pick in June, and we’ve currently got him slated at No. 3 in this class behind Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Auburn’s Jabari Smith. With that in mind, here’s a look at where we project Banchero will land at the next level.

This page will be updated between March and the NBA draft to reflect the shifting likelihood of Banchero's landing spot.

RELATED: Chet Holmgren NBA Draft Odds For 2022

Paolo Banchero NBA Draft Odds

These are projected NBA odds and do not reflect odds currently available on legal betting sites or betting apps.

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Which NBA Teams Have The Best Shot At Banchero?

The Lottery odds changed a few years back, giving the worst three teams in the league the same odds of landing a top-four pick. We’re projecting the Magic, Rockets, and Thunder to finish in those slots, giving them a better than 40% chance to earn a top-3 pick.

We’ve got the Rockets and Thunder pegged with the highest individual team odds on the board, with the Magic lagging slightly given that they’ve invested significantly in power forwards Wendell Carter Jr. ($50 million extension in 2021) and Chuma Okeke (first-round pick in 2019).

Even 2021 first-rounder Franz Wagner plays nearly 30% of his minutes at PF in small-ball lineups. Houston spent its first Lottery pick since 2013 on guard Jalen Green, while the Thunder are building around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the point.

Where Else Could Banchero land?

We believe Banchero’s floor is No. 3, but there’s plenty of movement on Lottery night that could vault a team into that top 3 — and Banchero could slip, too. The Pistons would love to pair Banchero with top pick Cade Cunningham, while the Pacers moved on from Domantas Sabonis (and could do the same with Myles Turner) as they look to rebuild their frontcourt.

The Kings need a little bit of everything, and they’d pair Banchero’s playmaking abilities alongside De’Aaron Fox to give them a solid 1-2 punch alongside Sabonis, who they traded for at the deadline.

Why Are The Odds For The Field So High Right Now?

There are so many unknowns in play at this point in time. Once the Lottery is cemented, only 3-4 teams will realistically have a shot at Banchero. For now, though, it’s always possible that the eight other teams not listed with NBA futures odds move into the top-3.

Think about the Pelicans and Grizzlies moving up for Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, or the Raptors going from 7 to 4 in last year’s draft. Before the Lottery balls bounce around, the field has the best odds according to NBA betting markets because of all there is to come.

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