Bettors are buying Bronny James hype before the 2024 NBA Draft

Surprisingly, bettors are falling for Bronny James.

As of Monday, Bronny, the son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, had notched 22.5% of all of the bets to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft at BetMGM sportsbooks. That was tied with French big man Alexandre Sarr.

At that time, BetMGM gave Bronny +20000 odds to be the first pick in the draft, while Sarr (7-foot-1) had the best odds (-300).

These wagers seem ludicrous. Even in a weak draft class, James probably won't go No. 1 overall to the Atlanta Hawks. 

In one season with USC, James failed to prove he's an elite NBA prospect, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 36.6% shooting in 25 games. At the NBA Draft Combine, he measured 6-foot-1.5 without shoes, meaning he's undersized.

"Bronny is an undersized non-shooting guard," an NBA scout told The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor. "The shot looks good but doesn't go in. Those guys scare me the most. It's either lack of touch or mental, and either way, those take years to correct."

Betting on Sarr to go No. 1 overall seems like the better choice. Bleacher Report NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Wasserman rates him as the fourth-best prospect in this draft class.

"Alex Sarr figures to be No. 1 on some teams' boards behind the idea that his defense is a lock and his open-floor ball-handling and shotmaking development will continue," wrote Wasserman. "Theoretically, no other top prospect has the potential to impact games at both ends like Sarr, a 7'1" shot-blocker who can slide with guards, hit threes, knock down pull-ups and fallaways, attack closeouts and occasionally initiate fast breaks."

While many have speculated he'll play with his father in L.A., don't be shocked if Bronny lands with the Utah Jazz, who have the 32nd overall pick. Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports reported the Jazz have expressed interest in an individual workout with the 19-year-old guard.