No. 1 picks have fared well over the years, winning NBA ROY honors 22 times. So, it should be no surprise that Victor Wembanyama opened as the betting favorite. But several talented rookies are entering the league, and bettors should not overlook anyone’s NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
After all, Malcolm Brogdon, the 2016-17 NBA ROY, was a second-round pick. On that note, let’s look at the latest NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Odds to win NBA Rookie of the Year 2023-24
Let’s review odds for some of the top players listed at four of the leading sports betting apps (odds as of June 23):
| Player | BetMGM | Caesars | DraftKings | FanDuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | -200 | -225 | -225 | -160 |
| Scoot Henderson | +350 | +350 | +350 | +400 |
| Chet Holmgren | +500 | +375 | +450 | +700 |
| Brandon Miller | +950 | +950 | +950 | +1300 |
| Amen Thompson | +1500 | +1500 | +1400 | +2500 |
| Ausar Thompson | +2200 | +2200 | +2000 | +4000 |
| Jarace Walker | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 | +4000 |
| Cam Whitmore | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 | +5000 |
| Taylor Hendricks | +3500 | +3500 | +3500 | +5000 |
| Anthony Black | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 | +5000 |
| Cason Wallace | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 | +5500 |
| Gradey Dick | +4000 | +4000 | +3500 | +5500 |
| Bilal Coulibaly | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 | +7500 |
| Jordan Hawkins | +8000 | +8000 | +7500 | +11000 |
| Derek Lively II | +10000 | +10000 | +11000 | |
| Jett Howard | +8000 | +10000 | +10000 | +11000 |
| Keyonte George | +6000 | +5000 | +7500 | +11000 |
| Nick Smith Jr. | +6000 | +3000 | +7500 | +11000 |
| Leonard Miller | +6600 | +8000 | +7500 | +14000 |
| Kobe Bufkin | +5000 | +4000 | +10000 | +14000 |
| Jalen Hood-Schifino | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 | +14000 |
| Brice Sensabuagh | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 | +14000 |
| Kris Murray | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 | +14000 |
| Marcus Sasser | +8000 | +8000 | +7500 | |
| Gregory Jackson | +8000 | +8000 | +7500 |
Being drafted No. 1 does not mean Victor Wembanyama will win NBA Rookie of the Year next season. But as highly touted a prospect as he was, he should be the betting favorite. Ultimately, it will come down to how well his talents translate to the NBA game — that and opportunity.
Read More: Basketball Betting Promo Codes | NBA Championship Odds | NBA MVP Odds | NBA Odds | How to Bet on NBA | Best NBA Betting Apps
It’s hard to win an award if you are not on the court. Playing on a team as bad as San Antonio was last year means Wembanyama will probably be in the lineup from Day 1. As dreadful as the Spurs were, it will not be hard to see how much of an impact he has on the team.
Does this mean bettors should focus on rookies playing for bad teams? Not necessarily, but since the key to winning is playing time, rookies on contenders may struggle to see the court.
NBA ROY Odds: Best Bets Not Named Victor Wembanyama
It is hard to go with anyone other than Victor Wembanyama at this point. With all the hype surrounding him, finding a reason not to bet on the young phenom (besides his minus-money odds) isn’t easy. But four of the last five winners were not the No. 1 pick, and some analysts are concerned about how well Webmbanyama’s slender frame will hold up.
Here are a couple of our best bets not named Victor Wembanyama:
Chet Holmgren +700 (FanDuel)
Holmgren, the No. 2 pick from last year’s draft, injured his foot during Summer League play last season, causing him to miss last year. Since he did not play during his rookie season, he can win the award next year.
Before getting hurt, many thought he would contend with Paolo Banchero for ROY honors. Some sportsbooks briefly had him listed as the favorite. If he can pick up where he left off, he could become a solid contributor for the Thunder right away, giving him an advantage over the rest of the field.
Scoot Henderson +400 (FanDuel)
If Wembanyama was not in the draft, there is a very good chance Scoot Henderson would have been the No. 1 pick. He’ll be in a situation where his skillset should be on display early, playing for a poor Trail Blazers team. But if Damian Lillard stays with the team and if Lillard takes him under his wing, that could accelerate his growth.
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Long Shots/Sleepers
These will be players with an exceptional skillset on teams where they could/should play right away. Whether they shine or not will depend on them and how well they fit the system the team runs.
Amen Thompson +2500 (FanDuel)
Since it is about getting the opportunity to shine, Thompson is in a great position to have an award-winning season. His athleticism and playmaking ability should fit well in Rockets head coach Ime Udoka’s system. The absence of talent on the roster will help make him look better, especially if he becomes one of those guys who make everyone around him better.
Anthony Black +5000 (FanDuel)
His defensive prowess will get him into the conversation, and he’s an excellent passer that will get his teammates involved. But whether he can become a contender will depend on how well he shoots the ball. He is not a great three-point shooter, but he is a solid playmaker capable of being a solid offensive weapon.
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: History
The following table contains the NBA Rookie of the Year winners dating back to the 1999-2000 season:
| Season | Player | Position | Team | Draft Position | Preseason Odds | Preseason Favorite (w/odds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Paolo Banchero | Forward | Orlando Magic | 1 | +200 | Same |
| 2021–22 | Scottie Barnes | Forward | Toronto Raptors | 4 | +1100 | Jalen Green (+200) |
| 2020–21 | LaMelo Ball | Guard | Charlotte Hornets | 3 | +400 | Same |
| 2019–20 | Ja Morant | Guard | Memphis Grizzlies | 2 | +250 | Ja Morant/Zion Williamson (+250) |
| 2018–19 | Luka Dončić | Guard/forward | Dallas Mavericks | 3 | +250 | Same |
| 2017–18 | Ben Simmons | Forward/guard | Philadelphia 76ers | 1 | +225 | Lonzo Ball (+205) |
| 2016–17 | Malcolm Brogdon | Guard | Milwaukee Bucks | 3 | Not Listed | Joel Embiid (+300) |
| 2015–16 | Karl-Anthony Towns | Center | Minnesota Timberwolves | 1 | +450 | Emmanuel Mudiay (+300) |
| 2014–15 | Andrew Wiggins | Forward/ guard | Minnesota Timberwolves | 1 | +400 | Jabari Parker (+225) |
| 2013–14 | Michael Carter-Williams | Guard | Philadelphia 76ers | 1 | +1200 | Victor Oladipo (+300) |
| 2012–13 | Damian Lillard | Guard | Portland Trail Blazers | 6 | +500 | Anthony Davis (+175) |
| 2011–12 | Kyrie Irving | Guard | Cleveland Cavaliers | 1 | +500 | Derrick Williams (+350) |
| 2010–11 | Blake Griffin | Forward | Los Angeles Clippers | 1 | +200 | John Wall (+120) |
| 2009–10 | Tyreke Evans | Guard/ forward | Sacramento Kings | 4 | +700 | Blake Griffin (+120) |
| 2008–09 | Derrick Rose | Guard | Chicago Bulls | 1 | +350 | Michael Beasley (+150) |
| 2007–08 | Kevin Durant | Forward | Seattle Supersonics | 2 | -200 | Same |
| 2006–07 | Brandon Roy | Guard | Portland Trail Blazers | 6 | +300 | Same |
| 2005–06 | Chris Paul | Guard | New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets | 4 | ||
| 2004–05 | Emeka Okafor | Center/ forward | Charlotte Bobcats | 2 | ||
| 2003–04 | LeBron James | Forward | Cleveland Cavaliers | 1 | +150 | |
| 2002–03 | Amar'e Stoudemire | Forward/ center | Phoenix Suns | 9 | ||
| 2001–02 | Pau Gasol | Forward/ center | Memphis Grizzlies | 3 | ||
| 2000–01 | Mike Miller | Forward/ guard | Orlando Magic | 5 | ||
| 1999-00 | Elton Brand | Forward | Chicago Bulls | 1 |
In the 71 seasons that the NBA Rookie of the Year was recognized, there has been a tie three times (1999-00, 1994-95, and 1970-71). Of the 74 trophies handed out, 64 got drafted inside the first ten picks, 55 in the first five selections, and 45 came out of the top three.
Three winners were territorial picks, and two were from the second round. Malcolm Brogdon (2016-17) got taken with the No. 36 pick of the draft, and Woody Sauldsberry (1957-58) was the No. 60 pick in the ’57 Draft (which consisted of 14 rounds; 83 players selected).
But since the 1999-2000 season, players selected inside the top five picks have dominated the award taking 19 of 24. The last time the betting favorite had minus-money odds was Kevin Durant in the 2007-08 season. He went on to win.
Where to Bet on NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
Sports betting is legal, either online, retail, or both, in the following states/ locales: New York, Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee, Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Nevada, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Oregon, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ontario, Arkansas, Delaware, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Maryland, Mississippi, District of Columbia, Wisconsin, Washington, and Wyoming.
Best Promo Codes for NBA Rookie of the Year Betting
The following table contains the welcome promos for several sportsbooks:
How To Bet On NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2023-24
If you’re looking to bet on the NBA Rookie of the Year this year, it’s a perfect time to take advantage of amazing limited-time welcome offers available at sportsbooks today. Add more than one sports betting app to your playbook so you can line shop for the most competitive NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Choose Your Online Sportsbook
Most US states with legal online sports betting put multiple mobile sports betting apps at your fingertips. The welcome bonuses, as well as odds for NBA Rookie of the Year, differ from sportsbook to sportsbook.
Check out Gaming Today for comprehensive coverage of which online sportsbooks operate in your state. Once you’ve chosen a sportsbook, you’ll need to provide proof of age and identity to register for a new account.
Make Your First Deposit
Once your account details are verified by the sportsbook, you’re ready to deposit funds and start wagering on things like NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Navigating to the cashier at your chosen sportsbook displays all of the different deposit options. Some of the most reliable deposit methods include PayPal, Play+, debit/credit cards, and ACH/eCheck.
Make Your First Bet
Odds for the NBA Rookie of the Year will be located under the basketball tab at your favorite sportsbook. To get started, click on that tab, and you’ll be given the option and choose NBA That will take you to a page with odds for upcoming games, but you’ll also have the option to see other things like odds for Awards, Futures, Props, etc. Click on awards and select Rookie of the Year odds and choose your player.
Remember, a lot of the welcome bonuses at sportsbooks are only for the first wager, so choose wisely!
Cashing Out
If your NBA ROY bet cashes in, congratulations! Obviously, you can reinvest your winnings into other bets, but if you are ready to cash out, all sportsbooks will offer you several different options.
PayPal, ACH/eCheck, and Play+ represent some of the fastest ways to cash out when your NBA wagers win.
About the Author
