Victor Wembanyama ran away with the NBA Rookie of the Year race in 2023-24, but this year’s campaign looks wide-open. There was no definitive No. 1 overall pick heading into this year’s NBA Draft, and as such, there are several viable ROTY candidates.
We’ve seen little of what each of these players hopes to accomplish in Year 1, but based on draft position, depth charts, and projected roles, we can get a sense of which players will make the most compelling push to be named this year’s NBA Rookie of the Year.
Here are the latest odds and our best bets to win the award.
All NBA odds are current as of Wednesday, July 24 and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
- Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies (+600)
- Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (+700)
- Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks (+750)
- Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards (+900)
- Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls (+1000)
- Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (+1000)
- Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers (+1000)
- Carlton Carrington, Washington Wizards (+1500)
- Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers (+1600)
- Rob Dillingham, Minnesota Timberwolves (+1700)
All other players have (+2000) odds or longer to win NBA Rookie of the Year.
NBA Rookie of the Year Best Bet
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies (+600)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
The Grizzlies have needed a big man to pair with Jaren Jackson Jr. for some time now, so it wasn’t all that surprising to see them pounce on Zach Edey with the No. 9 pick. The two-time Naismith winner was unstoppable in his final year at Purdue, averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.
The main attraction of Edey’s NBA Rookie of the Year bid is his role. He’s expected to start right away in Memphis, and at 7-foot-4, he could be in line for a double-double on most nights. It helps that he’ll be playing alongside Ja Morant, too.
Despite being the odds-on favorite, it doesn’t feel like there’s much pressure on Edey, either. Concerns remain about how well his game will translate to the NBA, so it’s not like he’s coming into the season with especially lofty expectations.
At (+600), I’m rolling with Edey with my NBA bet of the day.
NBA Rookie of the Year Favorites
Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets (+700)
DraftKings Sportsbook
Sheppard was a Summer League standout, averaging 20 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks across four games. There’s no denying his all-around versatility and efficiency, but he’ll face much stiffer competition in the NBA, and he won’t have nearly as large a role as a rookie with the Rockets.
Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Dillon Brooks all figure to take up minutes at the guard positions in Houston. Running the second unit seems like his best-case scenario for 2024-25, and while that’s respectable, it’s unlikely that he’ll put up the numbers necessary to win this award in that role.
I’m high on Sheppard’s long-term NBA future, but we may not get to see him shine in Year 1. Expect plenty of progress throughout the season and for Houston to have to answer some difficult questions by next summer, but Rookie of the Year may not be in the cards.
Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks (+750)
DraftKings Sportsbook
Despite being the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Risacher comes out of Summer League with the third-best odds to win Rookie of the Year. Some of that has to do with who he is as a player — he wasn’t the top-ranked prospect — but he’s also not expected to take on a particularly large role in Atlanta.
The Hawks have three high-usage, high-volume players in Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanović, and rising star Jalen Johnson who will be the primary scoring options on offense. Their presence could limit Risacher’s touches to mostly catch-and-shoot situations, which doesn’t bode well for his ROTY bid.
- See where the Hawks rank in the latest NBA Finals odds.
That’s not to say Risacher can’t be an impact player in Year 1, but it’s hard to see him leading the rookie class in any statistical categories. I like his connectivity, and he looked great with the ball in his hands in Summer League, but his ceiling isn’t quite that high yet.
NBA Rookie of the Year Contenders
Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards (+900)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
As of now, Sarr is the best value to win NBA Rookie of the Year. The 19-year-old’s unconvincing Summer League performances took him from being one of the favorites in this race to a distant fourth at (+900), but it may only be a matter of time before he begins to rise back up.
There are certainly things we can glean from those few Summer League games, but the incredibly small sample size often hurts players more than it helps. Case in point: Since 2006, Blake Griffin (2009) and Damian Lillard (2012) are the only two Summer League MVPs who went on to win NBA ROTY.
Sarr’s offensive impact may take some time to show up in the pros, but defensively, he looks ready. That should help him earn time on the floor for a Wizards team that allowed a league-high 123 points per game in 2023-24.
I could also see Sarr making a late-season push for Rookie of the Year, if he can stay healthy. Washington isn’t particularly interested in winning basketball games, and as the campaign winds down, he could earn more play as the Wizards tank for a top pick.
Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls (+1000)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
The Bulls finally appear to be on the brink of a full-blown rebuild, potentially putting Buzelis in position to thrive as a rookie. Chicago already traded Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine seems to be on his way out as well.
With that in mind, I’m feeling pretty strong about Buzelis’ chances of being a ROTY-caliber player. He’s a silky-smooth finisher and willing shooter, and his two-way ability means his contributions won’t just show up on one end of the floor. Expect more than a few blocks thanks to his 6-foot-10 frame.
I am a bit concerned about the lack of shooting around Buzelis, which could amplify his efficiency concerns. Josh Giddey and Nikola Vučević are essentially non-factors from outside, and Patrick Williams — while efficient — isn’t a high-volume shooter. Still, this is worth a sprinkle.
NBA Rookie of the Year Sleepers
Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers (+1000)
DraftKings Sportsbook
Considered by many to be a potential top-five pick, the 23-year-old Knecht fell all the way to the Lakers at No. 17 on draft night, where he should have a good chance to contribute right away. Los Angeles always needs depth and shooting, and Knecht provides both.
Knecht averaged 21.7 points per game as a senior at Tennessee while sinking 49.9% of his looks inside the arc and 39.7% from three-point range. He’s as pure a shooter as they come, and under the guidance of JJ Redick, he could really shine.
With that said, Rookie of the Year could be out of reach. The Lakers intend to compete for a championship in 2024-25, so Knecht will likely be relegated to a role with the second unit. He’ll make an impact, but he may not spend enough time on the court to earn ROTY consideration.
Ron Holland, Detroit Pistons (+2000)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.25 Units
I’m all-in on Holland as an NBA player. The 19-year-old wing is bursting with athleticism and potential, and if he can get his shot to fall consistently, he could quickly emerge as one of the best players in this draft class.
Unfortunately, Holland may have to wait to become a regular part of the rotation in Detroit. The Pistons are surprisingly well-established at the forward positions thanks in part to the return of Tobias Harris, limiting his opportunities to make a big splash when the season begins in October.
I don’t expect Holland to be off the floor for long, though. Detroit would be wise to prioritize his progression as soon as possible, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he plays his way into a larger role by November or December. I’d recommend a small wager at (+2000).
