1 change bettors can count on after the Shams Charania NBA Draft controversy

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Last week’s NBA Draft was a joyous occasion packed with lots of laughs and even some tears, but it didn’t go without a little controversy thanks to a tweet from The Athletic’s Shams Charania that moved betting lines for the No. 2 pick just hours before the draft.

Charania’s partnership with FanDuel caused people’s antennas to go up, because the obvious conflict of interest involving an insider being paid by a sportsbook has ethical concerns.

The aftermath of that moment raised questions about what’s next. Will FanDuel cut ties with Charania? Will media and sportsbook relationships change? Should regulators step in and enforce a 24-hour cut-off on draft bets similar to Nevada?

My advice to bettors is to not count on any of that. The only thing we can be sure to change is you, the bettor.

That’s right. The longer sports betting is legal in the U.S., bettors will naturally become wise enough to not be easily deceived by a tweet as inconclusive as “Scoot Henderson is gaining serious momentum.” They’ll more easily recognize what is and isn’t meaningful, and which reporters to trust. At the very least, they’ll recognize a report as inconclusive, even if they decide to use it as justification for a bet anyway.

That’s not to say other things shouldn’t be done. Sportsbooks probably shouldn’t work with insiders, and gaming regulators can always do more to protect consumers. I’m just not certain those are realistic expectations as it applies to the Charania controversy.

The line between sports media and gambling company is blurring by the day. Almost every major outlet (including this one) is receiving some type of funding from a sportsbook as the demand for betting content increases. Among them, Charania isn’t the only reporter capable of changing odds with a few words.

So, whether it happens directly or indirectly, he won’t be the last insider to work on behalf of a sportsbook.

That’s why bettors have to get smarter. This is the new reality of a U.S. with a growing sports betting presence. It doesn’t mean everyone has to be sharp to enjoy a little action, but it does mean people have to learn their limitations. Over time, they will.

Now that the 2023 draft is in the books, it’s time to start looking forward to 2024 and which prospects could hear their names called in the first round of that draft.

Unlike this year, the 2024 draft doesn’t have a consensus top pick. At least, not at the moment. So, along with picks 2 through 30, mock drafts will have a ton of movement around the No. 1 overall pick too.

So, who could that player be now?

Luckily for you, our Bryan Kalbrosky is already and the job. And with the Washington Wizards at No. 1, he has a different name at the top of his mock than a lot of others.

We are going in a different direction and crowning Kentucky’s Justin Edwards with the pole position. He was one of the best players at the 2022 Nike EYBL Orlando circuit, averaging 19.3 points per game while shooting 55.3 percent from beyond the arc.

“He is the safest,” one NBA scout told For The Win. “I know what I’m getting: Good positional size, can make open 3-pointers, aggressive downhill attacker and athletic above the rim.”

Edwards needs to improve his defensive consistency but he was named Defensive MVP at the 2022 Nike EYBL Indy circuit. He led all players in defensive statistical impact (DSI) and, per Cerebro, averaged 3.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Edwards also averaged 3.0 steals per game at the 2022 Nike EYBL Peach Jam tournament.

Please, let the Wizards (get) nail this pick.

Shootaround

— The 7 teams most likely to land Kyrie Irving, ranked by best fit

— HoopsHype’s trade value rankings 7.0

— Tobias Harris chirped at Sixers fans willing to trade him for a cookie

— 10 big names players who could be traded in the offseason