Bronny James, son of the legendary LeBron James, is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2024 NBA draft class. His potential to be drafted first overall is not only captivating the sports world but also driving an astonishing number of wagers in draft markets.
Betting Trends and Market Insights
At FanDuel, Bronny James has attracted 30% of the bets to be selected first overall by the Atlanta Hawks, the highest for any player at the sportsbook. BetMGM reports that the USC guard has garnered 36.8% of the bets, significantly ahead of the second most bet-on player, Alex Sarr, who stands at 14%. Initially, Bronny James was not listed in the No. 1 overall market at DraftKings but has since found his way into the field.
Odds and Projections
Despite the surge in betting interest, Bronny James has consensus odds of 200-1 to be taken with the draft’s first pick, tied with Purdue’s Zach Edey for the longest odds on the board. This suggests that many small-money bettors are taking a chance on a highly unlikely scenario. According to ESPN’s latest mock draft, James is projected as a late-second-round pick.
FanDuel reports that Bronny James only holds 6% of the handle to go first overall, while BetMGM places that figure at 4.1%, in stark contrast to Sarr’s commanding 65.5% of the handle at the sportsbook. “We’re not concerned with racking up a liability there,” BetMGM senior trader Halvor Egeland said. “It’s all relatively small wagers, nothing over $100.”
LeBron’s Influence and Team Preferences
The possibility of drafting Bronny carries the added allure of potentially acquiring LeBron James in free agency, which further fuels the betting frenzy. DraftKings and BetMGM both list LeBron’s current team, the Los Angeles Lakers, as the favorite to draft the younger James, with +180 odds.
At DraftKings, the Lakers lead both in bets (33%) and handle (60%), while BetMGM highlights LeBron’s former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, with a 10-1 handle leader at 34.8%.
The Future for Bronny James
While the odds and draft pundits suggest that Bronny James being the first pick is far-fetched, his presence in various betting markets underscores the excitement and speculation surrounding his potential NBA career. As the draft approaches, the focus will be on where he will land and how that might influence his legendary father’s career moves.
