NBA Draft Betting: Where Do the Detroit Pistons Look With the Fifth Pick?

NBA Draft night always sees a lot of drama, both with the selections and the trades around it. Let's see if we can find any value in the betting market on this fun night.

We're going to look at the fifth overall selection, currently held by the Detroit Pistons. While some of the other picks seem straightforward there are a few directions the Pistons could go in when it's their turn.

Here are the most likely candidates to be selected with this pick, according to the NBA Draft Odds on FanDuel Sportsbook:

Ausar Thompson, 6'6" Wing, Overtime Elite

The Pistons have been going through a rebuild for quite some time now. That has resulted in them getting a potential franchise guard in Cade Cunningham, but they definitely could use a cornerstone on the wing.

Thompson is long, carrying a seven-foot wingspan. This makes him able to guard shooters effectively. He's also a good passer for not being a primary ball-handler. Not being the strongest shooter for a wing would be a knock on his game.

The Athletic's Sam Vecenie compares Thompson to Andre Iguodala in his latest mock draft. He also has Thompson going to the Pistons in that mock draft.

It would make a lot of sense for Detroit to go with Ausar Thompson, which is why he's the odds-on favorite. However, there is a case to be made that they will go in a different direction.

Jarace Walker, 6'7" Forward, University of Houston

Detroit doesn't have much in terms of forward options that their fans can get excited about, and definitely need a prospect in this area of the court.

That's why Jarace Walker could be the pick here. He's only listed as being an inch taller than Asuar Thompson, but he plays a lot bigger. He has a 7'3" wingspan and is built differently compared to Thompson, being physically stronger.

Walker is also a good defender, and his size and frame should allow him to guard many different positions on the floor. The Pistons could value his versatility enough to want to select him. He's also different enough compared to guys like James Wiseman, Marvin Bagley III and Jalen Duren to not make him redundant on this team.

It's interesting to note that both John Hollinger and Zach Harper of the Athletic have Walker going to the Pistons in this spot in their mock drafts. That makes it interesting to bet Walker to go fifth at +420.

Cam Whitmore, 6'6" Wing, Villanova University

Whitmore is the same size and same position as Thompson, but they are very different players. His stock seems to be falling based on chatter in the media, but he still is in the conversation to get selected at number five.

When it was announced Whitmore was entering the NBA draft, there was excitement around the league. Unlike Thompson, shooting is a strength of his game. He's also a good finisher around the basket, and possesses a 40-inch vertical leap.

With this pick having a few more possibilities than the ones above it, it wouldn't be totally shocking to see Whitmore get drafted here. It would fill a need and potentially add another dynamic offensive player to their future.

It does feel like Whitmore is slipping a bit, but the aggregated mock drafts do have him getting selected here. That makes +500 an interesting price to get on Whitmore.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.