Bronny James garners most bets to win Rookie of the Year
Odds and data via theScore Bet and ESPN Bet
Sportsbooks are dangling Bronny James' Rookie of the Year odds as bait like a fisherman at sea. Bettors are biting the hook, throwing bets on James to win the award at incredibly long odds.
Second-round picks who'll spend most of the season in the G League or at the end of an NBA bench are rarely listed on the oddsboard. But due to James' popularity as the son of all-time great LeBron James, oddsmakers posted the younger James' odds knowing that bettors would pounce on the long-shot future. That calculation has proven correct, as James has attracted just under 20% of the Rookie of the Year bets, the most of any rookie.
James has the longest odds at +25000, and oddsmakers assigned him a 0.4% chance of winning the award, which might be generous.
The 20-year-old's a developmental project, showing through his Summer League and preseason stints that he doesn't belong on an NBA court. The unique circumstances surrounding James led him to depart USC after a disappointing season and get drafted to his father's team as an unheralded prospect.
James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 19 minutes per game in college. His potential lies in his on-ball defense and high basketball IQ. He's a poor shooter and a below-average scorer but has solid passing instincts.
James isn't part of the Lakers' immediate plans as the organization tries to navigate the final years of the elder James' career. Los Angeles has the seventh-best odds to win the West (+1800) and a 51% chance of making the playoffs.
So why are bettors throwing away their money on a bet with zero chance of cashing? Big names often attract action from casual bettors who like to get behind hot commodities. That's the only reason James is listed on the market.
The 6-foot-2 guard faces insurmountable pressure as a Lakers draftee and the son of one of the greatest NBA players ever. Playing in the G League against college-level competition with little media attention should help his growth.
There are reported plans for the father-and-son duo to share the floor on opening night, marking a historic moment in NBA history. That should subside some of the non-basketball-related media attention surrounding the Lakers. After that first game, Bronny likely won't play a meaningful minute for weeks.
Beyond James, Zach Edey has received the second most bets (16%), and Reed Sheppard has attracted the third-most (14%). Edey is the favorite to win at +300. The Grizzlies drafted Edey to start at center, and he's immediately assuming a pivotal role on a team with high expectations. The two-time national player of the year is averaging 13.5 points and 7.2 rebounds in 20.2 minutes of action in the preseason.
Sheppard has the second-best odds (+700). For what it's worth, NBA GMs predicted Sheppard to win the award. The Rockets are one of the league's deepest teams with playoff aspirations, so Sheppard will come off the bench and could play limited minutes initially. However, a relatively low statistical output could lead a player to win the award in an anticipated down year for one of the worst draft classes in decades. The Kentucky product will be in contention, assuming his lethal shooting carries from college to the pros.
There are 25 candidates listed ahead of James on the board, but bite the bait at your own peril. Many other bettors already have.
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.