The NBA rookie of the year odds have seen a shift in favor of Zach Edey from the Memphis Grizzlies, who is now the leading betting favorite at various sportsbooks. However, an intriguing development has been the significant number of bets placed on Bronny James, a relative long shot with a famous last name.
Bronny James has emerged as the most popular pick among bettors for the rookie of the year award, with a substantial portion of bets being placed on him across multiple sportsbooks. Notably, a $1,000 bet on James at 250-1 odds was recorded by BetMGM, indicating a strong belief in his potential.
While it is uncommon for significant bets to be placed on rookie of the year candidates so early in the season, the interest in Bronny James has been undeniable. Bookmakers have observed a surge in betting activity surrounding James, with the amount wagered on the rookie of the year market doubling compared to the previous year.
Bronny James has also garnered unexpected attention from bettors regarding the possibility of being the No. 1 overall pick. This interest has persisted during the summer league, with the SuperBook in Las Vegas offering prop bets exclusively on James, reflecting the growing fascination with his performance.
Despite being selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers, Bronny James has showcased his potential in the summer league, averaging 7.3 points with a plus/minus of minus-14. This performance has further fueled speculation about his future in the NBA.
Initially, Alexander Sarr of the Washington Wizards was considered the frontrunner for rookie of the year, but he has been surpassed by Edey and Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets in the latest odds. Sarr now stands as the fifth favorite for the award, highlighting the dynamic nature of the betting landscape.
The NBA summer league championship game is set to take place on Monday, providing an exciting conclusion to the summer league action and potentially influencing future betting trends in the rookie of the year market.
