The NBA office loves the new All-Star Draft because of the heartwarming stories of rivaling stars sharing the floor, former broken relationships remedied and the media attention such scenarios bring.
This year’s edition of the NBA All-Star Game comes with an added twist as the two shiniest stars can impact whom they will share a locker room with. All-Star participants were previously dealt their cards and forced to get along. Now, some of the awkward connections could be avoided, and those are the most intriguing ones.
I selected three props being offered by BetDSI Sportsbook that are quite interesting when it comes to the NBA All-Star Draft selections and the teammates created from it.
Will LeBron James select Kyrie Irving during 2018 All-Star Draft?
Yes -130
No +100
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LeBron James, the leading vote-getter by the fans, selects first in the All-Star Draft and the books have placed Kyrie Irving as the favorite to be picked No. 1 overall. I’ve already explained the logic behind why taking James Harden at larger odds is a better choice, and yet the new question arises – will James pick Irving at all, in any round?
The oddsmakers clearly believe there’s a greater chance that Irving ends up on James’ team. And there’s some common logic behind it.
James needs to pick two of the three available guards, with Harden and DeRozan being the other two in the pool. Irving, as a point guard, is not too intriguing of an option for Curry, who fills the same position.
The case against Irving holds some water as well. Not only could James think of it as not forcing Irving to play with him again, but the younger All-Star also plays for a bitter rival. If he opts to go with Harden first, Curry is left with Irving or DeRozan, and he’ll likely pick the former as simply a better player. He might also want to remove the awkwardness of the selection if Irving doesn’t get picked until his third round selection.
Looking at the odds, +100 on ‘No’ doesn’t look too tempting. It’s fair odds for a coin-flip, and it’s still likely that James will think of the good side of selecting Irving, even if he doesn’t pick him immediately. He knows that Curry will go after Durant and possibly another wing or big, so he has time.
At -130 for any round selection, I find that side more appealing.
Will LeBron James select Draymond Green during 2018 All-Star Draft?
Yes +500
No -850
This next prop is really a teaser. James and Draymond Green have never had great relationship, so to think that he’d pick Green in the second round (when the All-Star reserves are to be picked) is testing whether James plays the spoiler role. Hence the big payout on the positive side of this prop.
There’s some chance that Green misses the cut, but that would only void the wager. However, if he gets in, he’s not going to be the most attractive target for James, or any other player that would make the selection, except Curry.
Curry made it known that he’d pick his teammates first, so James’ choice of Green would have to come with the first or the second pick in the second round, depending on whether Klay Thompson also makes the All-Star reserves roster.
I find the possibility extremely unlikely. The odds for No at -850 are not particularly attractive, but for an event that’s so improbable, I say go for it.
Will Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook be on the same 2018 All-Star team?
Yes +120
No -150
The third prop I’m going to take a look at is the still-cold affair between former teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
James and Curry are team captains and the only ones with the authority to make picks. But, like in the regular NBA Draft, general managers can listen to other people before making the final decision. Curry and Durant can easily make an arrangement to NOT pick Westbrook. It’s almost as if Durant makes the pick, and I can’t see Curry having a problem with it.
Unlike the previous prop, this one needs Westbrook to make the cut only for the positive outcome. He’d have to be selected by NBA coaches as one of the seven reserves, and despite still carrying the MVP designation he’s not having the greatest of seasons.
Still, with OKC clinging to the fifth spot in the West and no other player from the Thunder team as an alternative option to be rewarded for that position, he’ll probably be picked by the coaches.
Curry will likely select Durant first in the starter’s round, but only if James passes on him. If Durant ends up playing in the East, there’s a better chance of two former Thunder players ending up together. However, this is not likely, and I’d rather opt for “No” here with a -150 price. The odds aren’t great, but it is the more likely outcome.
