The App is Back! Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news, mobile alerts and track your favorite players. Plus, now you can check out articles and player cards. Get it here!
Chris Duarte Under 19.5 Draft Position (-150)
Chris Duarte is one of the hottest names in the NBA Draft that will be selected in the back of the lottery or just out of it.
Duarte’s prop line sat at 20.5 for weeks, but we have seen a significant shift down to 19.5 and -150 odds over the last two days. Why is that?
There are more than a few teams that are warming up to Duarte joining their team as a rotational player. The Warriors (No. 14), Thunder (No. 16, 18), Grizzlies (No. 17) and Knicks (No. 19) are all linked to Duarte and rightfully so.
Duarte improved in drastically every way from his freshman season to sophomore year with Oregon. Duarte averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.9 steals, and impressive shooting numbers in 32.6 minutes per game and 26 contests as a sophomore.
Duarte shot 53.2% from the field, 42.4% from three and 81.0% from the free-throw line last season. Duarte shot 41.4% from the field as a freshman, 33.6% from three and 79.5% from the free-throw line.
His increased shooting numbers have caught the eye of numerous teams, and based on his numbers, we can see why teams like the Warriors, Grizzlies and Knicks would benefit from a shooter like Duarte off the bench.
Looking over expert mocks, Kevin O’Conner, Sam Vecenie, Jonathan Wasserman and Jeremey Woo all have Duarte going before the 20th selection.
The majority have Duarte joining either the Warriors, Grizzlies or Knicks -- which I have a hard time disagreeing with.
[[ad:athena]]
Duarte is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard named All-Pac-12 First Team and All-Defensive Team in his final season at Oregon. He would have won Pac-12 Player of the Year if not for Evan Mobley‘s outstanding two-way season with USC.
Duarte is a knockdown 3-and-D guy, but his age is his most concerning issue. Duarte turned 24-years-old in June, so he is older than most players to get drafted in the first round.
However, that could bode well for him going No. 14 to Golden State, who is in win-now mode. Coming off the bench for Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson would be ideal for the Warriors, who have plenty of power in the starting lineup, but a weak second unit.
Throwing in Memphis or New York, they are two teams who need shooting and are young and hungry. Duarte could fit in well with each squad’s second unit as they both look to be playoff teams come next season.
I feel pretty comfortable putting money down, knowing those three teams suit him very well and there are more teams involved with Duarte.
The Warriors could trade the No. 14 pick, but that does not mean bad news for the former Oregon Duck, as he should be one of the sought-after players once the lottery ends.
Duarte also received a draft room invitation and worked out with the Pacers (No. 13), Warriors (No. 14), Wizards (No. 15), Thunder (No. 16, 18), Knicks (No. 19) and Lakers (No. 22) this past month. All of those teams have a top 20 pick or an idea plus the capital to move up.
The Lakers want to trade Kyle Kuzma and there is a chance they move up in the draft. Duarte’s age and shooting ability could be a positive to the Lakers who are also in win-now mode, like I mentioned with the Warriors.
Back Duarte’s Under 19.5 prop as this line could move a spot or two in the final week leading up to the NBA Draft.
Pick: Chris Duarte Under 19.5 (1u)
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner, and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
