The 2024 NBA Draft has arrived, and, while it’s not an exciting class, trades have made things a lot more interesting. The New York Knicks just acquired Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, for instance. We’ll have to wait and see if another groundbreaking move will take place before (or during) this year’s draft, but if last night is any indication, it could get spicy. Let’s dive into the 2024 NBA draft odds as I dive into my picks and predictions, including my best bet for Bronny James.
2024 NBA Draft Odds, Picks & Predictions: Best Bet for Bronny James
2024 NBA Draft Odds, Picks & Predictions: Best Bet for Bronny James
2024 NBA Draft Odds
First Overall Pick
Zaccharie Risacher: -400
Donovan Clingan: +450
Alexandre Sarr: +750
Second Overall Pick
Alexandre Sarr: -750
Zaccharie Risacher: +750
Donovan Clingan: +1600
Third Overall Pick
Reed Sheppard: -190
Donovan Clingan: +250
Zaccharie Risacher: +1400
Stephon Castle: +1500
NBA Draft Prospects & Notes
The Atlanta Hawks have said they intend to keep the first overall pick, which means they’re probably taking a wing or a big. If they go guard, well, one of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray have got to go. At least in my opinion.
Zaccharie Risacher, a 19-year-old wing from France, is the favorite to head to Atlanta with the first pick. At 6-foot-9, he can defend the one through four, and he is a capable catch-and-shoot player.
After Risacher, it’s Donovan Clingan, who the sportsbooks aren’t sure what to do with. His odds are between +250 and +750 for every pick through No. 8. Clingan, the two-time NCAA championship winning center, should be a good five but isn’t very versatile.
Next, we’ve got Alexandre Sarr, who drew loads of hype to be the first player off the board earlier in the process. Sarr, a 19-year-old French center, measures 7-foot-1 and boasts a 7-foot-4 wingspan. He isn’t too bulky and should be switchable on defense. He also has a 3-point shot. NBA scout Jonathan Wasserman compared him to Jaren Jackson Jr. after the combine.
I would be remiss to not mention Bronny James, the eldest son of LeBron James, who may hold the key to acquiring the veteran superstar. In 2022, he said that he would play his final season with his son. However, agent Rich Paul has said that James is now “off” this idea, which, of course, could be posturing — but James’ desire to play with his son will certainly shape the narrative around this draft.
2024 NBA Draft Picks & Predictions: Best Bet for Bronny James
I generally don’t bet on the NBA draft. The odds are almost entirely determined by steam, the consequences of which we saw in 2022. Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith were both, at different points, +1000 or so to be the first overall pick on the day of the draft.
A post on X by Adrian Wojnarowski in which he predicted a Smith-Chet Holmgren-Banchero outcome led to Banchero’s odds shifting from -210 in the morning to +1000 in the afternoon — and then +195 right before the draft. While this year’s class isn’t as exciting, know that these lines aren’t based on much information that you or I don’t already have.
But I am betting on the NBA draft this year because Bronny James is in the class. The books have been pushing promos for him to go early in the draft, but we’re instead picking him to go at over 54.5 overall or later. The Lakers own the No. 55 pick, so we avoid the risk of them selecting him any earlier without a trade. Let’s fade the public’s love affair for King James.
2024 NBA Draft Pick & Prediction: Bronny James OVER 54.5 -138 at FanDuel
OddsShopper’s NBA Tools & Tips
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