The Atlanta Hawks were the big winners on NBA Draft Lottery night last week.
But, were they?
In what is largely viewed as the weakest draft in a decade or more, the Hawks are expected to choose from a couple of French big men – neither of whom is likely to become Victor Wembanyama.
BetMGM offered some updated betting stats, with Bronny James actually (foolishly?) receiving 22.5 percent of No. 1 overall tickets.
Maybe that’s just something to keep and save as a memento because he’s not going No. 1.
Follow the money: The same BetMGM info shows projected top pick Alex Sarr receiving 81.4 percent of the handle. That’s called “smart money,” folks. UConn center Donovan Clingan was second, at 15 percent of the current handle.
Not surprisingly, the list pegs Bronny as the No. 1 liability for the book.
We believe BetMGM is safe on that one.
WHICH FRENCH GUY?
There seems to be little debate regarding the top two selections for the June 26-27 draft, with Saar and Zaccharie Risacher at the top this week.
The Hawks stunningly went from the 10th draft position all the way to first – the odds of that happening were only 3 percent.
Following the lottery, Saar moved into a consensus choice among draft experts.
As of Monday morning, he was still favored to go No. 1, with odds of -220 at DraftKings and -300 at FanDuel. The 7-foot-1 center appears to be the safest pick for Atlanta.
Risacher, a 6-foot-9 19-year-old, was the No. 2 projection Monday at +220 (DraftKings) to be the top pick and +490 at FanDuel.
Bet Saar to retain his position, given that any big surprises were mitigated by his appearance at the combine.
Saar -220 (DraftKings) to be the No. 1 pick.
BRONNY JAMES JR. STILL IN PLAY
The big conversation point over the past year or so in NBA circles is the idea that Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James wants so desperately to play with his son, Bronny, that he’d go to the team that drafts his son.
That stance has softened a bit, and the Lakers aren’t positioned to select Bronny in the first round.
Bronny won’t last until LA’s second-round pick, No. 55 overall.
Given the strong hand LeBron holds regarding his option to opt out and seek an extension, however, the Lakers might try to find a way to draft Bronny and placate their King, though LeBron sounds like he just wants to share an NBA court with his son.
The Lakers pick 17th in the first round and are trying to make immediate improvements. Bronny figures to go in the 30s or early 40s, so LA would need to maneuver via trade to make a father-son union happen.
Sportsbooks have Bronny props that list the Lakers as +160 to +180 favorites to land Bronny, with the Knicks, Cavaliers, 76ers and Thunder all around +1000 as next most likely.
DraftKings offers an over/under number, 39.5, for Bronny’s position in the draft.
Bronny James’ draft position UNDER 39.5 at +110 (DraftKings).
