Important Points:
– Bronny James is a frontrunner to be chosen first overall in the 2024 NBA Draft on BetMGM.
– The LA Lakers receive the majority of bets to draft him followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks.
– NBA team strategy points to a possibility of father and son playing on the same team.
– NBA inside scoop is not ruling out LeBron playing with his son; however, LeBron’s preference is to have him play with the Lakers.
Bronny James Emerges As Betting Favorite
Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, is emerging as a hot betting favorite to take the top spot in the 2024 NBA Draft, according to leading betting company BetMGM. He shares this favored position with French player Alexander Sarr, with each receiving 22.5% of the total bets so far.
Rounding up the top three is Donovan Clingan, a young star from the University of Connecticut, who has 15% of the bets riding on him. The surge of bets on the younger James reflects the faith placed in the budding 19-year-old talent.
Lakers Lead the Race to Draft James
Topping the list as favorites to draft Bronny James is none other than the Los Angeles Lakers, boasting 22.1% of the betting handle. The betting interest isn’t unwarranted as the Lakers have expressed genuine interest in James who, despite being an underdog at +20000, shows massive potential.
Following the Lakers are the Cleveland Cavaliers, holding an 18.3% share of the betting pool. The Dallas Mavericks are a decent third with 6.1% of the bets. This shows betting markets are putting their faith in these teams to nurture this young talent.
LeBron James Unlikely to Follow His Son
Despite speculation, NBA insider, Shams Charania, reports that LeBron James is unlikely to jump ship and join whatever team drafts his son. LeBron’s preference is for his son to be drafted by his current team, the LA Lakers. Should that happen, it wouldn’t be surprising if his representatives received calls from other NBA teams proposing the father-son duo play together.
Charania, in his interview on ‘Up & Adams Show’, added that the Lakers’ unfolding coaching situation might play a significant role in whether they draft Bronny, as the organization is now actively focusing on player development.
Bronny James Makes Impressive Leap in NBA Mock Draft
In addition to the betting odds, Bronny James has managed to break into the NBA Mock Draft by ESPN’s draft expert Jonathan Givony. He ranks 54th on the draft board, up from his previous placement, showing the NBA community’s growing interest.
His performance at the NBA Draft Combine was instrumental in this movement as Givony points out that Bronny has solidified his reputation as a serious NBA prospect rather than a media hyped “LeBron’s son.”
James also made an impressive showing at a scrimmage, scoring 13 points, showcasing solid perimeter defense, and leading his team to victory – all traits that have significantly boosted his image as a promising future NBA star.
In conclusion, the anticipation and speculation surrounding Bronny James’ future in the NBA is growing immensely. His continued strong performances and rising stock in the betting markets are fueling this interest, making the 2024 NBA Draft an exciting event to look forward to.