Bronny James Odds & Prop Bets: Can LeBron’s Son Compete for NBA Rookie of the Year?
LeBron James’ son has successfully entered the NBA and will be joining his father on the court. Check out the latest Bronny James odds on top NBA betting websites.
After years of speculation, the day has finally come for LeBron James to play alongside his son, Bronny James, in the NBA. The possibility of this happening has been the subject of constant discussion since Bronny was labeled a top recruit during his junior year of high school.
Despite not meeting the expectations set for him as a top-30 recruit out of USC, he was able to turn his high school achievements, limited success with the Trojans, and impressive performance at the NBA Draft Combine into being chosen as the 55th pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.
It is clear that his father’s reputation as one of the top NBA players in history contributed to his draft buzz, along with the Lakers’ desire to please their upcoming free agent star. Despite the reasons behind James joining the championship contending Lakers, he is expected to play in the upcoming season.
What are his chances of winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award and where does he currently rank in the odds?
Bronny James Rookie of the Year odds
| Name | DraftKings | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Sarr | +350 | +425 | +450 | +400 |
| Zaccharie Risacher | +450 | +625 | +500 | +450 |
| Stephon Castle | +700 | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| Zach Edey | +1100 | +900 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Dalton Knecht | +1200 | +900 | +1000 | +1100 |
| Reed Sheppard | +1200 | +1100 | +800 | +1100 |
| Donovan Clingan | +1200 | +1800 | +2000 | +1600 |
| Tidjane Salaun | +1200 | +1400 | +2000 | +1200 |
| Cody Williams | +1400 | +1500 | +1800 | +1600 |
| Ronald Holland | +1500 | +1400 | +1500 | +1800 |
| Bronny James | +30000 | +25000 | +20000 | +25000 |
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Will Bronny James win NBA Rookie of the Year?
History and the odds both suggest that James has a slim chance of winning NBA Rookie of the Year. A $10 bet on these odds would yield a sizable $3,000 profit.
After the inaugural NBA Rookie of the Year award was presented in 1953, only one player selected outside the top 36 picks has managed to win it. Woody Sauldsberry of the Philadelphia Warriors achieved this feat in the 1957-58 season, starting his career with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Malcolm Brogdon is the only second-round draft pick to win NBA Rookie of the Year since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. Brogdon’s rookie class is considered one of the worst in NBA history, as he averaged the fewest points per game (10.2) of any winner in league history. This is more than double the amount of points that James averaged at USC this past season (4.8).
Brogdon’s cause was aided by the fact that the No. 1 pick, Ben Simmons, was sidelined for his entire rookie season due to injury, hinting at the trajectory of Simmons’ career.
The NBA implemented the lottery system in 1984, and since its inception, only one non-lottery pick has been awarded the top rookie honor. Mark Jackson, who went on to become an NBA head coach and commentator, achieved this feat after being selected as the 18th pick in the 1987 NBA Draft while playing for the New York Knicks. During his rookie season, Jackson averaged 13.6 points per game and 10.6 assists per game.
One of the worst draft classes in NBA history
Some argue that the talent pool for the 2024 NBA Draft could be historically weak, but that doesn’t necessarily benefit James. Two drafts, in particular, have been labeled as borderline disgraceful: the 2000 and 2013 drafts.
In 2000, Mike Miller, the very same Mike Miller, was awarded NBA Rookie of the Year. The veteran player, who later won two championships with LeBron on the Miami Heat, was chosen as the fifth overall pick and averaged 11.9 PPG in his rookie season.
Although Miller did not have an All-Star career, he was still drafted fifth overall and later won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. If Bronny achieved the same level of success as Miller, he would be recognized as one of the greatest players ever selected outside of the top 50 picks.
Moving on to 2011, I believe it provides a stronger case for James to win NBA Rookie of the Year, even though the odds are still not in his favor. This is the year when the Cleveland Cavaliers controversially chose Anthony Bennett as the No. 1 draft pick, making him the only Canadian player to ever be selected first overall.
Although the class ultimately included two future Hall of Famers in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert, it was Michael Carter-Williams who took home the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Despite being the 11th overall pick, Carter-Williams started 70 games for the Philadelphia 76ers, who only won 19 games that season. He put up impressive stats, averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.
There is a major issue in L.A. if Bronny is getting enough playing time to put up those numbers.
Assessing the Lakers roster
Is there a way for James to get significant playing time with the Lakers? His agent, Rich Paul, confirmed that James will not be signing a two-way contract, indicating that it is likely that L.A. intends to have LeBron’s son on their roster for the upcoming season.
The question remains: how long will he stay? The Lakers have brought in JJ Redick and drafted Bronny in order to please LeBron, who may be more inclined to re-sign if the team is serious about winning a championship. There is even speculation that Los Angeles may be seeking to acquire another star to join forces with LeBron and Anthony Davis.
In the previous season, 12 players from L.A. played 10 or more minutes per game, excluding LeBron, who is expected to decline his player option but is likely to re-sign. Of those 12 players, three have player options (D’Angelo Russell, Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish), two are unrestricted free agents (Taurean Prince and Spencer Dinwiddie), and one is a restricted free agent (Max Christie).
The Lakers selected Dalton Knecht from Tennessee with the 17th overall pick. Known for his high scoring in college basketball last season, Knecht is expected to come off the bench and contribute as a sharpshooter, playing around 20 minutes per game.
Knecht’s odds of winning the award are as low as +900, suggesting a 10% chance of victory. This is why I singled him out as a player to avoid in my NBA Rookie of the Year predictions. James will have to contend with his teammate, who occupies a comparable position, for the award.
Best-case scenario for James and the Lakers
In a perfect situation, James is getting the same amount of playing time as Christie did during his rookie season in 2022-23. James was drafted as the 35th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft after playing for Michigan State.
Similar to James, Christie was a highly sought-after recruit who only played one year before heading to the pros. However, he fell short of expectations. Despite this, Christie still outperformed Bronny’s scoring average at USC, averaging more than double with 9.3 points per game. In his rookie season, Christie played an average of 12.5 minutes per game and put up 3.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game while shooting 41.9% from beyond the arc.
I am uncertain if James will have the chance to achieve those numbers.
Keep in mind that he has received criticism for his shooting and ball handling skills. James excels as an athletic defender and is often compared to high-caliber players such as De’Anthony Melton and Davion Mitchell.
Both of them have never averaged more than 10 PPG in their careers.
Although it would be awesome to see Bronny emulate his father and win the award, simply having him contribute as a rookie would be a victory for the Lakers.
Top odds: +30000 on DraftKings | Implied likelihood: 0.33%
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Past NBA Rookie of the Year winners
| Year | Name | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs | -145 |
| 2022-23 | Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic | +200 |
| 2021-22 | Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors | +1100 |
| 2020-21 | LaMelo Ball | Charlotte Hornets | +400 |
| 2019-20 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | +250 |
| 2018-19 | Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks | +250 |
| 2017-18 | Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers | +225 |
How to bet on NBA Rookie of the Year
Placing a bet on the NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) is a simple process. Start by choosing a reliable sportsbook that provides ROY futures. Compare the odds for various rookies, such as Player A with +300 odds and Player B with +500 odds, to determine the most probable winner.
To place a bet, choose your wager amount. For example, if you bet $100 on Player A at +300 odds and they win, you will receive $400 in return ($100 stake + $300 profit). Monitor the rookies’ performances during the season to track the progress of your bet.
The movement of odds in future markets is primarily influenced by performance and perception. Changes in a player’s performance, such as a rookie excelling or getting injured, can lead to shifts in their odds. Additionally, fluctuations in odds can occur when a large number of people place bets on the same player, prompting sportsbooks to adjust the odds in order to mitigate their risk.
In addition, expert predictions and analysis have the potential to impact betting behavior, ultimately influencing odds. By being aware of these factors, you can make more informed bets and potentially take advantage of favorable odds adjustments.
How to read NBA Rookie of the Year odds
Understanding NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) odds becomes easy once you grasp the fundamentals. The odds are commonly displayed as either +300 or -150. Positive odds (e.g., +300) show the amount of profit you would earn on a $100 wager.
For example, if you place a $100 bet at +300 odds, you would win $300 in addition to your original $100 bet, resulting in a total payout of $400. On the other hand, negative odds such as -150 indicate the amount you must bet to win $100. Therefore, a $150 bet at -150 odds would yield $100 in winnings, along with your $150 bet, for a total of $250.
The probability of an outcome is reflected in the odds. Lower odds (e.g., +100) indicate a greater likelihood of the player winning, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) suggest a lower chance. These odds are adjusted by oddsmakers based on factors such as player performance, injuries, and betting trends.
If Rookie A has odds of +200 and Rookie B has odds of +500, Rookie A is seen as the more probable winner. If you were to bet $100 on Rookie A and they win, you would receive $300 in return ($200 in profit plus your initial $100 stake). Being able to interpret these odds is crucial in making smart betting choices.
NBA Rookie of the Year FAQs
Who is the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite?
The Washington Wizards rookie, Alexandre Sarr, who was selected as the No. 2 overall pick, is the frontrunner to win NBA Rookie of the Year. He has the shortest odds at +350, indicating a 22.22% chance of winning the award.
What are Bronny James’ NBA Rookie of the Year odds?
Bronny James has the lowest odds to win NBA Rookie of the Year at +20000, indicating a very slim 0.50% chance of him winning the award.
When was Bronny James drafted?
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James as the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
How many points did Bronny James average at USC?
During his freshman year at USC, Bronny James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He shot 36.6% from the field and 26.7% from three-point range. James played in 25 games, starting six, and averaged 19.3 minutes per game.
How much will Bronny James get paid?
Bronny James’ rookie contract remains uncertain as the rookie wage scale only pertains to first-round picks.
Typically, second-round draft picks sign contracts with lower guaranteed money, and some even sign two-way deals. However, according to his agent Rich Paul, Bronny will not be signing a two-way contract.
Bronny James is expected to sign a rookie contract worth between $7 and $8 million over a four-year period.
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