Hornets select Brandon Miller, proving NBA Draft day odds movement cannot be trusted

The pick is in, and the Charlotte Hornets went with Brandon Miller as the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, putting to rest the single biggest question mark at the top of this year’s draft.

Now, bettors can breathe a sigh of relief and cash those winning tickets — or rip them up if the money was on Scoot Henderson, who seemed like a real possibility for the Hornets all the way to the very end.

The line movement for the No. 2 pick was incredible (and exhausting) from the moment the market opened in May, but especially over the last two days since Henderson overtook Miller as the heavy favorite, seemingly out of nowhere.

A report Tuesday from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Miller “solidified his standing” as Charlotte’s choice swung the odds back in Miller’s favor. Then, a report Thursday from The Athletic’s Shams Charania that Henderson was gaining “serious momentum” swung them back the other way — briefly.

Hours later, Miller was back in the lead where he remained until Charlotte made him the pick.

Woj 1 – Shams 0

This line movement was reminiscent of the shifts for the No. 1 pick in 2022, maybe even more, and proof why every report and shift in the odds can’t be trusted.

Of course, those questions didn’t exist for this year’s top pick. So, the focus was on what Charlotte would do. Now we know.

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