NBA Summer League 2022 odds and predictions: Who are the favorites to win?
NBA rookies play to prove themselves in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, starting Thursday, July 7. Which team of youngsters is favored to win the title?
The 2022 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas begins Thursday, July 7. All 30 NBA teams will compete in the tournament, which will be played over a 10-day period. Each team plays five games - the first four they play will decide whether or not they compete in the championship game. Top draft picks Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jabari Smith will be working to prove themselves worthy of that status, but which team is favored to win the Summer League title?
Here is how some bookies see it going: DraftKings Sportsbook has the Brooklyn Nets taking the title with the Oklahoma City Thunder following closely behind. PointsBet has the Thunder and Detroit Pistons tied as the favorites to win it. Westgate SuperBook have the Thunder as the favorites with the Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans closely behind. BetMGM have the Pistons as favorites by a long shot.
The Thunder and Pistons are close to the top of nearly everyone’s list, and here’s why.
The Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have an impressive lineup for the Summer League with Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, Aleksej Pokuševski, and Aaron Wiggins. The No. 2 over draft pick in 2022, Holmgren, gave us a show in the Salt Lake City Summer League on Tuesday, putting up 23 points, seven rebounds, six blocks, four assists, and one steal, and becoming the first player to put up at least five blocks and four 3-pointers in a Summer League game. His impressive debut is what has shot the Thunder up to the top of many lists of favorites to take the title. The team also features 2021 No. 6 pick Josh Giddey, who had a successful first season in OKC.
The Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have built a roster of experienced players, led by 2021 No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham. Cunningham led the league in points and assists last season. The rest of the roster includes 2020 No. 7 pick Killian Hayes as well as Isaiah Stewart and Sadie Bey. Stewart led the Pistons in rebounds and shots blocked last season. Other than the experienced players, the Pistons will also showcase their two top draft picks, Caden Ivey and Jalen Duran.