Unbelievable: Bronny James leads NBA Rookie of the Year betting odds

It is no secret that the 2024 NBA Draft has been described by experts as one of the weakest in recent seasons. And the most palpable fact of this is that in the first weeks of the Summer League, where almost all the selected players are participating, the most talked about by far is Bronny James, who was selected with the 55th pick of the Draft.

The top three picks, Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks), Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards) and Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets), have been swallowed up by the media clout of LeBron's son.

And this is because Bronny James is not standing out for his skills but, on the contrary, for his poor performances. In his first four games, he scored 14 points with 7/31 from the field (22.5%) and a shocking 0/15 three-pointers. And in the fifth game he improved somewhat with 12 points with 5/11 from the field and 2/5 three-pointers. Criticism rained down on him, but fans in general seem obsessed with everything he does and what happens around him.

His incredible favoritism in the betting

What no one expected, including him and his illustrious father, is that he would become the rookie who has received the most bets to win the Rookie of the Year title at the end of this season, according to ESPN. Seeing is believing. More bets have been placed on Bronny James to win that distinction than on any other player at various bookmakers. It sounds like a joke, because it doesn't seem credible that people like to throw money around.

The odds for rookie of the year have changed since the start of the summer league, and right now it is Zach Edey, the 2.16m 19-year-old center chosen by the Grizzlies with the No. 9 pick, who is the consensus favorite at bookmakers. But the most popular choice among bettors is Bronny, who has a very famous last name but very remote chances of getting that nomination. In fact, it will be difficult until he is part of the Lakers' first team.

One in four bets are on him

LeBron's son has attracted nearly one in four bets placed in the Rookie of the Year market on ESPN BET. In addition, BetMGM reported that last July 6 it received a $1,000 bet on Bronny from an Ontario bettor when he was paid out at 250-1. And DraftKings said only Zach Edey had attracted more money than James in that wager.

They acknowledge that such four-figure bets on the Rookie of the Year in July are rare and on any award are usually scarce 10 months before the winner is announced, but they are noticing undeniable interest in LeBron James' son from bettors. The amount of money that has moved in the BetMGM market on this bet is double what it was compared to last year's market at this time.

Call effect among bettors

This unusual interest placing Bronny James as the bettors' favorite has produced a call effect among fans, who are jumping in to bet on him even though they know how slim his chances are. The SuperBook in Las Vegas is offering special bets on just one player in the Summer League: Bronny James.

Jeff Sherman, the NBA's vice president of risk and lead oddsmaker for the SuperBook, said that "interest in Bronny's special bets has been solid" and that "overall wagering in the Summer League is up.

"We're doing more transactions than in previous years, especially in live betting," Sherman told ESPN.

Alexandre Sarr of the Washington Wizards opened as the consensus favorite for Rookie of the Year, but was edged out by Zach Edey (+550) and Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets (+650) at ESPN BET. Sarr now has the fifth-best odds on ESPN BET at +900.