Last week, the Phoenix Suns were at +5000 in odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook to draft Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft, tied for 15th in the league with 15 other teams.
The Lakers were first, at +160.
The odds have now taken a huge turn, with Phoenix now at +750, only behind the Lakers, who are still at +160.
The Utah Jazz are third in odds to pick Bronny James in the NBA draft, at +1100, with the Cleveland Cavaliers fourth, at +1500.
The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are tied for fifth in the odds, at +2000.
All things Suns: Latest Phoenix Suns news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
But that surge from the Suns sure stands out.
Read more:Is LeBron James a good fit with Phoenix Suns? NBA insider raves about team's potential
Why are the Suns now a favorite to draft Bronny James?
NBA Insider Shams Charania created a buzz Tuesday morning when he reported that Bronny James was turning down several pre-NBA Draft workouts, instead limiting his visits to "two, three teams" including the Lakers, his father, LeBron James' current team, and the Suns.
"Bronny James has over 10 workout invites during the pre-draft process" Charaniasaid on FanDuel TV's Run it Back. "I'm told he's only going to visit a couple of those. And that is going to include the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have the No. 22 overall pick in the draft. He's under consideration there among obviously a lot of players at 22, but it's going to come down to the developmental plan, it's going to come down to guaranteed money, whether it's in late in the first round, in the second round, but the fact that there's only going to be a couple teams, two, three teams, that Bronny James visits and the Lakers and Suns interestingly are among the two teams."
Interesting indeed.
More:LeBron James to Phoenix Suns speculation, rumors swirl with 'historic superteam' report
Earlier report also influenced Suns' Bronny James draft odds
Charania's report might sound familiar.
Last week he posted on X: "The Phoenix Suns will conduct a workout with Bronny James ahead of the June NBA Draft, sources say. Phoenix has the 22nd pick and he is among several players in consideration. Bronny has over 10 workout invites but is expected to only visit a few teams, including Lakers and Suns."
The latest report, however, does seem to further solidify that Bronny James will only work out for the Suns, Lakers and maybe one other team before the 2024 NBA Draft, which has definitely impacted the odds for Phoenix to land LeBron James' son.
LeBron James to Phoenix Suns?Speculation swirls after Bronny James workout report
Could the Suns really draft Bronny James?
You would think that Bronny James might want to showcase his skills for as many NBA teams as possible before the 2024 NBA Draft on June 26 and June 27, but that is reportedly not the case and that is a huge factor in the Suns suddenly being a favorite to pick him.
Bronny James only averaged 4.8 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game and 2.1 assists per game during his freshman season for the Trojans. It was his lone season at USC.
While his stock did seem to rise a bit with his performance at the NBA Draft Combine earlier this month, he is still projected as a big developmental prospect in the NBA, ranking No. 56 in the latestCBS Sports NBA Draft Prospect Rankings.
Speculation and rumors have swirled around the Suns potentially picking Bronny James with their No. 22 pick in the first round of the NBA Draft, in an attempt to potentially lure LeBron James to Phoenix in the offseason.
LeBron James can become an unrestricted free agent and could potentially sign a veteran's minimum deal with the Suns.
More:Why LeBron James on Phoenix Suns next season isn't that far-fetched
Bronny James 2024 NBA Draft odds for every team
Here are the odds for all 32 NBA teams to select Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft on June 26 (first round) or June 27 (second round).
- Los Angeles Lakers: +160
- Phoenix Suns: +750
- Utah Jazz: +1100
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +1500
- Philadelphia 76ers: +2000
- New York Knicks: +2000
- Oklahoma City Thunder: +2200
- Miami Heat: +2200
- Golden State Warriors: +2500
- Los Angeles Clippers: +2500
- Chicago Bulls: +2500
- Dallas Mavericks: +3500
- Atlanta Hawks: +4000
- San Antonio Spurs: +4000
- Memphis Grizzlies: +4000
- Orlando Magic: +5000
- Houston Rockets: +5000
- Sacramento Kings: +5000
- Milwaukee Bucks: +5000
- Boston Celtics: +5000
- Portland Trail Blazers: +5000
- Detroit Pistons: +5000
- Charlotte Hornets: +5000
- Brooklyn Nets: +5000
- New Orleans Pelicans: +5000
- Denver Nuggets: +5000
- Toronto Raptors: +5000
- Minnesota Timberwolves: +5000
- Washington Wizards: +5000
- Indiana Pacers: +5000
More:Phoenix Suns' 2024 NBA Draft speculation includes surprising player: Bronny James
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
WANNA BET?Check out the best Arizona sportsbooks in 2024
Reach Jeremy Cluffat[email protected].Follow him on X, formerly Twitter@Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe toazcentral.comtoday.