2024 NBA Draft Odds: No. 3 Pick, Houston Rockets

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The Houston Rockets get the 3rd overall pick during the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery on May 12, 2024 at McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Jeff Haynes/Getty Images
Shane Jackson @Sjacksonmgm Jun 26, 2024, 3:12 PM
  • The Houston Rockets have the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft.
  • Reed Sheppard is -185 to be the third pick in this year’s draft.

The third pick of the NBA Draft is where things get interesting.

The Houston Rockets have the No. 3 overall pick after a 41-41 campaign last year. They could go in various ways, including trading the pick for a player who could improve their postseason chances next year.

Here’s a look at the latest NBA Draft odds at the online sportsbook to help figure out what the Rockets might do with the No. 3 pick.

NBA Draft Odds – No. 3 Overall Pick

PlayerOdds
Reed Sheppard-185
Donovan Clingan+170
Zaccharie Risacher+1200
Stephon Castle+1600
Alex Sarr+2200
Matas Buzelis+2500
Dalton Knecht+3000
Rob Dillingham+5000
Tidjane Salaün+5000
Ron Holland+6600

Prediction for No. 3 Pick: Reed Sheppard (-185)

  • Pick originally made at +100 odds on June 21

Reed Sheppard remains the NBA betting favorite to go No. 3 overall, with his odds moving from +220 to -185 leading up to the draft.

That’s because most mock drafts have Sheppard being the pick. It just might not be the Rockets who make that selection.

There has been plenty of reporting about the Rockets’ willingness to trade down from No. 3 overall, with the assumption that a team will want to move up for Sheppard or Donovan Clingan.

Clingan is still a solid bet in my latest prediction for the No. 1 overall pick. If that does happen, Sheppard is the prize for a team moving up.

But Sheppard also makes sense with the Rockets, as the young guard could develop behind Fred VanVleet before eventually getting the keys to the offense.

Sheppard averaged 12.5 points per game with Kentucky last season. He shot 52.1% from long range, a skill set that will make him a valuable addition to any NBA team.

I’d be surprised if Sheppard is still on the board after the No. 3 pick.

NBA Betting Splits: No. 3 Pick

Sheppard has received the most bets and money to be the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft.

  • Ticket count: 22.7%
  • Handle count: 36.6%

Recent No. 3 Picks in NBA Draft

YearTeamPlayer
2023Portland Trail BlazersScott Henderson
2022Houston RocketsJabari Smith Jr.
2021Cleveland CavaliersEvan Mobley
2020Charlotte HornetsLaMelo Ball
2019New York KnicksRJ Barrett
2018Atlanta HawksLuka Doncic
2017Boston CelticsJayson Tatum
2016Boston CelticsJaylen Brown
2015Philadelphia 76ersJahlil Okafor
2014Philadelphia 76ersJoel Embiid

Recent Houston Rockets First-Round Selections

YearDraft SlotPlayer
2023No. 4Amen Thompson
2023No. 20Cam Whitmore
2022No. 3Jabari Smith
2022No. 17Tari Eason
2021No. 2Jalen Green
2021No. 23Usman Garuba
2021No. 24Josh Christopher

NBA Draft FAQs

When is the 2024 NBA Draft?

The 2024 NBA Draft will occur on June 26-27, 2024. Wednesday’s Round 1 will begin at 8 p.m. ET, and Thursday’s Round 2 will start at 4 p.m. ET.

Where is the 2024 NBA Draft?

The first round will be at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., and the second round will be at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York.

How can I watch the 2024 NBA Draft?

Both nights of the NBA Draft will air on ESPN and stream on ESPN+.

Visit the online sportsbook today for updated odds, including NBA moneylines, spreads, parlays, and prop bets. You can also view BetMGM’s welcome offer and other sportsbook promos.

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About the Author

Shane Jackson

Read More @Sjacksonmgm

Shane Jackson is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM, covering MLB and NBA. After graduating from the University of Kansas, his previous stops include MLB.com, Lawrence Journal-World, Manhattan Mercury, Bet Chicago Sports, WynnBET, and Sportsbook Review.

Shane Jackson is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM, covering MLB and NBA. After graduating from the University of Kansas, his previous stops include MLB.com, Lawrence Journal-World, Manhattan Mercury, Bet Chicago Sports, WynnBET, and Sportsbook Review.