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Rockets expected to take a guard with No. 2 overall pick

We’ve got odds on DraftKings Sportsbook on who will go second overall in the NBA Draft this year and it’s a competition between two guards.

Jalen Green of Team Ignite handles the ball during the game against the Raptors 905 during the NBA G League Playoffs on March 8, 2021 at AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida.
Jalen Green of Team Ignite handles the ball during the game against the Raptors 905 during the NBA G League Playoffs on March 8, 2021 at AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida.
Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

The Houston Rockets will likely take a backcourt player to start their rebuild after the James Harden trade.

G-League Ignite guard Jalen Green and Gonzaga PG Jalen Suggs are both +125 to go second overall to Houston according to DrafKings Sportsbook in the 2021 NBA Draft. The duo are co-favorites to be taken by the Rockets, with USC big man Evan Mobley coming in at +150 and Ignite wing Johnathan Kuminga slotting in fourth at +800. Oklahoma State star Cade Cunningham is fifth at +1000, but he’s the heavy favorite to go first overall to the Detroit Pistons.

While both guards might be favored to go to the Rockets, Mobley might be the best bet. Houston has a history of successful big men and Mobley checks all the boxes of a future franchise player, provided he stays healthy. Josh Giddey, the NBL’s Rookie of the Year, is a good sleeper pick at +5000 given LaMelo Ball’s success as a rookie with the Charlotte Hornets.

2021 NBA Draft: Odds to go No. 2 overall

Jalen Green: +125
Jalen Suggs: +125
Evan Mobley: +150
Johnathan Kuminga: +800
Cade Cunningham: +1000
Scottie Barnes: +3000
Josh Giddey: +5000
Davion Mitchell: +5000
Keon Johnson: +10000
Franz Wagner: +10000
Jalen Johnson: +20000
Alperen Sengun: +20000

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