The 2024 NBA Draft is lacking the star power of previous editions, as it doesn’t appear that the talent pool will yield a potential generational player like Victor Wembanyama or Anthony Edwards at No. 1 overall.
But it certainly isn’t lacking storylines, especially as there is growing intrigue about which team will draft Bronny James, the son of LeBron James. While it appears likely that Bronny will go in the second round, that hasn’t stopped bettors at sportsbooks from loading up on Bronny to go No. 1 overall, even at 200-1 odds.
At one sportsbook, 30% of the total wagers on the No. 1 overall pick market are on Bronny, despite those long odds. Alexandre Sarr (-140) is the favorite to go No. 1 overall, following by Zaccharie Risacher (+130) and UConn’s Donovan Clingan (+550). Clingan’s odds have shrunk significantly from opening at 22-1, as there have been rumors that the Atlanta Hawks (who hold the No. 1 pick in the draft) may have interest.
All of those wagers at 200-1 have created significant liability on Bronny to go No. 1, but much like wagering on the Carolina Panthers to win the Super Bowl or the Brooklyn Nets to win the NBA title, oddsmakers aren’t too concerned.
As one oddsmaker put it to me this week: “It would have to be a very big number before we become concerned.”
The Los Angeles Lakers (+160) are the favorite to draft Bronny, with the Phoenix Suns (+750) second. Those are the only two teams that Bronny has worked out for, according to an ESPN report.
