The NBA season is reaching the halfway point, and the Rookie of the Year race is heating up.
We’ve seen fresh, young faces behind phenomenal performances. The league’s future is undoubtedly in excellent hands, but which first-year pro is in the best position to make the most significant impact this year?
Here’s a look at the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year odds and our favorite picks to bring home the award.
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2023-24
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These NBA odds are courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook and are current as of Monday, Jan. 8.
- Chet Holmgren (-225)
- Victor Wembanyama (+180)
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. (+4000)
- Dereck Lively II (+15000)
- Brandon Miller (+20000)
- Scoot Henderson (+20000)
- Ausar Thompson (+25000)
- Keyonte George (+35000)
NBA Rookie of the Year Best Bet
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (+180)
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Despite leading all rookies in points (19.3), rebounds (10.1), and blocks (3.3) per game, Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama has fallen to a distant second place in the NBA ROTY race. If he can maintain those averages, he would become the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal to average 15/10/3 per game.
The main argument against Wembanyama’s ROTY case is team success. Through games played on Jan. 7, the Spurs are a mere 5-30. Only the lowly Pistons (3-33) have a worse record, and San Antonio should feel thankful that Detroit’s 28-game losing streak distracted from their 18-game skid.
That said, Wembanyama is the best value pick on the board right now. Casual and hardcore fans are enamored with his size and skills, and as long as he reaches the 65-game threshold to be eligible for the award, he should be viewed as a co-favorite.
Back Wembanyama to win 2023-24 Rookie of the Year with your NBA bet of the day.
NBA Rookie of the Year Favorites
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (-225)
bet365 Sportsbook
Chet Holmgren has been terrific as a first-year pro. The 21-year-old is a picture of efficiency, averaging 17.4 points on .543/.396/.826 shooting splits to go with 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.6 blocks in 30 minutes per game.
Holmgren is also already a key player on a contending team. The Thunder are 23-11 and boast the league’s fourth-ranked offense, a credit to their roster construction and enviable supply of stellar, young talent.
At (-225), the odds imply that Holmgren will likely win NBA Rookie of the Year. However, I’m not sold yet. Wembanyama has the edge statistically, and it would take a significant bet to make this wager worth the cost.
You’re better off waiting for Holmgren to drop back to near-even odds than to back him at this price.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat (+4000)
bet365 Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.1 Units
We should have known that the Heat would take a college prospect as polished and intelligent as Jaime Jaquez Jr. and immediately turn him into an impact player.
After spending four years at UCLA, Jaquez has eased his way into Miami’s rotation and become an essential piece for the franchise. The 22-year-old is averaging 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, and he made a statement with a 31-point, 10-rebound effort in a win over the 76ers on Christmas.
Should Wembanyama and Holmgren remain healthy throughout the regular season, Jaquez won’t have a chance of winning Rookie of the Year. However, at (+4000), I’m willing to invest a small wager in his campaign. You never know.
NBA Rookie of the Year Contenders
Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks (+15000)
bet365 Sportsbook
Mavericks big Dereck Lively II burst onto the scene in his NBA debut, outplaying fellow rookie Victor Wembanyama in the season-opener. Although he’s kept up the impressive play since then, he hasn’t been able to keep pace with the top contenders in this race.
- See where the Mavericks rank in the latest 2024 NBA Finals odds.
Lively is averaging 8.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.4 blocks while converting 72.3% of his field goal attempts. And while it should be noted that the majority of his shots have come at the rim, his reliable finishing makes him a valuable asset in Dallas.
At 19, Lively has a bright future ahead.
Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets (+20000)
bet365 Sportsbook
Former Alabama forward and No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller is having a solid rookie campaign. He hasn’t necessarily been remarkable, but he is scoring 14.7 points per game on .426/.385/.821 shooting splits for a pretty terrible Hornets squad.
The main issue with Miller’s candidacy — and most other rookies — is that he isn’t Wembanyama or Holmgren. Those two have been worthy of All-Star consideration thus far, and no one else has come close.
Miller is unlikely to be a finalist at this stage, let alone win the award. The (+20000) odds might look enticing for a guy who was drafted second only to Wembanyama, but it isn’t worth it.
NBA Rookie of the Year Sleepers
Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers (+20000)
bet365 Sportsbook
Scoot Henderson has finally come around, but it’s almost too late for him to impact the Rookie of the Year race. His ice-cold start didn’t help him, and the nine-game absence that followed essentially ended his candidacy by mid-November.
However, Henderson deserves praise for his recent play. The 19-year-old has made his way into the starting rotation, and in his last six games, he’s averaged 16.3 points and 7.0 assists while shooting a blistering 44.8% from three-point range.
Henderson has time to make up some ground, and I wouldn’t rule out a top-four finish if he can maintain this level of play throughout the second half of the season. However, Winning ROTY is out of the question.
Keyonte George, Utah Jazz (+35000)
bet365 Sportsbook
Jazz rookie Keyonte George is the success story that few saw coming. He’s still struggling with his shot (36.3% FG, 32.7% 3PT), but George has emerged as a legitimate facilitator and streaky scoring threat.
The 20-year-old has averaged 10.8 points and 4.5 assists through his first 31 appearances. He’s also logged an impressive 12.7 points and 5.9 assists per game in 16 starts.
George has also notched a 30-point performance, so there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about his future in Utah. Just don’t bet on him to bring the Rookie of the Year award to Salt Lake City.
