Bronny James is not a lock to be selected in the 2024 NBA Draft, but there are plenty of people out there who are willing to take a chance on him being the first overall pick.
According to sports betting reporter Ben Fawkes, BetMGM sportsbooks has received more bets on James to be drafted No. 1 overall than any other player. Of all the wagers on players to be taken first, Bronny holds a 22.5% share. Despite the action, his odds have not changed from an extremely long 200-1.
Bronny James (200-1) has the MOST BETS (22.5%) to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NBA draft at @BetMGM sportsbooks.
He represents the book's biggest liability to go No. 1 overall
His odds remain at 200-1
Alexandre Sarr (-300 favorite) has 81.4% of the total handle
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) May 20, 2024
Percentage of bets and percentage of money are two entirely different things, of course. Alexandre Sarr is the favorite to be drafted first overall at 3-1 and has received 81.4% of the total handle, or money. What that means is the majority of the bets that have been placed on James are probably small wagers with potentially large payouts. Since Sarr is viewed as a much safer bet, those who have placed wagers on him are likely willing to risk far more money.
Barring an unforeseen miracle, Bronny James is not going to be the first overall pick in the draft or anything close to that. Most analysts predict that he will be drafted in the late-second round or not at all. It is possible that a team could reach for Bronny in an attempt to lure LeBron James away from the Los Angeles Lakers, but even that seems unlikely.
Bronny averaged just 4.8 points per game in his freshman season at USC, though he did miss time after suffering a cardiac arrest prior to the season. He is not viewed as an elite NBA prospect, and one measurement from the combine could hurt his stock.
