Home basketball Bronny James Tipped to Join LeBron at Lakers in 2024 NBA Draft Odds, Knicks Follow Closely in Second Place

Bronny James Tipped to Join LeBron at Lakers in 2024 NBA Draft Odds, Knicks Follow Closely in Second Place

basketball — 04/12/2024

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Bronny James #6 of the USC Trojans warms up prior to the start of an NCAA basketball game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Maples Pavilion on February 10, 2024 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

As Bronny James tests the waters of the NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers are projected as the team most likely to select him.

FanDuel Sportsbook gave the Lakers the best odds to select James and unite him with his legendary father LeBron James at +400. The New York Knicks weren’t far behind at +800:

Bronny James declared for the NBA draft earlier this week while maintaining his college eligibility and entering the transfer portal. He appeared in 25 games during his freshman season at USC and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 36.6 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three-point range.

The 19-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest during a team workout in July and was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. He’s still believed to be a serviceable player thanks to his athleticism and defensive skills, but it’s clear that he needs time to develop.

Despite the youngster’s nondescript 2023-24 campaign, he remains an intriguing prospect for NBA teams who are hoping that drafting him would lead to his father joining their roster. LeBron James has made it clear that he would love to play alongside his son before his NBA career comes to an end, so there’s a belief that teams will be willing to overlook Bronny’s shortcomings and draft him in hopes of landing LeBron.

“There are probably three rounds’ worth of prospects more talented than Bronny in this class,” an NBA general manager told The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor recently. “So picking Bronny is more about getting LeBron’s attention right now than it is about developing Bronny himself.”