The calendar has flipped to 2025, but while it's a new year... the NBA Rookie of the Year odds have an old name back as the favorite.
Zach Edey was the preseason favorite to win the award before injuries dropped him well out of the race — but injuries have now brought him back to the forefront as the RoY favorite.
With the race heating up in the back half of the season, here are the latest NBA odds to win Rookie of the Year in 2024-25.
Latest odds to win NBA Rookie of the Year
| Player |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
 Zach Edey |
+120 | +150 | +140 |
 Alexandre Sarr |
+275 | +250 | +240 |
 Yves Missi |
+600 | +600 | +500 |
| Jaylen Wells |
+750 | +750 | +500 |
 Stephon Castle |
+1200 | +1200 | +1000 |
 Zaccharie Risacher |
+3300 | +3000 | +3500 |
 Dalton Knecht |
+4000 | +4000 | +3500 |
 Tristan da Silva |
+4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Carlton Carrington |
+5000 | +7500 | +15000 |
 Ryan Dunn |
+10000 | +10000 | +6000 |
Odds as of 1-8
Favorites to win NBA Rookie of the Year
We're back where we started with Zach Edey as the betting favorite, sitting almost at even money. The Memphis Grizzlies center opened the season at around 3/1 before an ankle injury sidelined him for more than a month.
However, he's back healthy and after averaging a double-double in December has jumped back to the top spot.
Just behind him are some other shining bigs in Washington's Alex Sarr (who averaged 12.5/9.3/3.5 in December) and Yves Missi from the Pelicans, who played almost 31 minutes per game in December, leading all rookies in offensive rebounding over that span (while also shooting nearly 60% from the floor).
The only other freshman shorter than 10/1 is Edey's teammate Jaylen Wells — the shortest non-center on the board — who led all rookies with more than 18 ppg in December (six ppg more than the next rookie) and almost 36 minutes per game.
NBA Rookie of the Year betting splits
BetMGM is reporting that the most RoY tickets are coming in on the favorite, with Edey taking the most (16%) tickets, as well as receiving 25.9% of all handle bet on the award.
The biggest liability still remains Bronny James, a relic of wild preseason action that isn't a big sweat for sportsbooks — the Lakers' other rookie is OTB as he's currently a part-time G-League player.
NBA Rookie of the Year predictions
Oddsmakers are telling us that if the season ended today, Edey would win a wide-open NBA Rookie of the Year race over Sarr and Missi. Castle's +120 odds convert to a 45.45% implied probability, while Sarr's shortest odds convert to an implied probability of 29.41% and Missi is at 16.67%.
Jon Metler's NBA Rookie of the Year prediction: Dalton Knecht
There are several rookies making noise in this market, but I think Dalton Knecht ultimately wins the Rookie of the Year award. Knecht is putting up impressive numbers alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves, whereas his main competitor, Jared McCain, is producing his stats in the absence of several key starters for the Philadelphia 76ers. Similarly, Stephon Castle is putting up numbers without Devin Vassell in the lineup.
I also firmly believe the Lakers will eventually alter their roster with a trade, and Knecht will be the beneficiary of that move, gaining more minutes and higher usage.
Pick made on 11-13
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Understanding NBA Rookie of the Year odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. As the 2023-24 season progressed, with Victor Wembanyama having been a huge favorite, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number, meaning he's "odds-on", or a favorite against the field:
- Victor Wembanyama -500
This means that a bettor needs to wager $500 to win $100. Other candidates with worse odds would have a plus (+) sign ahead of the number. Early in the season, before any clear favorite is established, betting options will be listed as such:
- Chet Holmgren +650
Here, a bettor stands to profit $650 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
NBA ROY betting trends
Here are some trends to keep in mind when betting on NBA Rookie of the Year:
- The No. 1 pick has won Rookie of the Year four times in the past 10 seasons.
- Bigs (PF/C) haven't had much success in ROY recently, with just four wins in the last 20 seasons.
- Only one ROY winner this century (Malcolm Brogdon, 36th, 2016) was drafted outside of the lottery.
- The Rookie of the Year has been drafted in the Top 5 in 16 of the past 20 seasons.
How is NBA Rookie of the Year decided?
The NBA Rookie of the Year award is bestowed upon the most outstanding first-year player in the league. The selection process is determined by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NBA. These experts evaluate rookies based on their individual performance during the regular season.
Key criteria considered for the award include:
- Performance: The foremost consideration is a player's on-court performance. This encompasses statistics such as points scored, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and shooting percentages. The impact a rookie has on their team's overall performance can also be a factor.
- Consistency: The ability to maintain a high level of play over the entire season is valued. A rookie who consistently contributes positively is likely to receive strong consideration.
- Role and Minutes Played: The role a rookie plays within their team and the amount of playing time they receive are significant factors. A player with a substantial role and meaningful minutes is more likely to be considered.
- Leadership and Maturity: While not strictly based on age, maturity and leadership qualities are considered. A rookie who displays a level of composure and leadership beyond their years may garner additional attention.
- Adaptability and Improvement: The ability to adapt to the demands of the NBA and show improvement over the course of the season is highly regarded, rather than hitting the dreaded “Rookie Wall”.
It's worth noting that while statistics play a substantial role, intangible qualities like basketball IQ, work ethic, and contributions beyond the box score can also influence the voting process.
Popular NBA futures markets
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NBA Rookie of the Year history
| Year | NBA ROY Winner | Opening Odds | Pick No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Victor Wembanyama | -145 | 1 |
| 2022-23 | Paolo Banchero | +200 | 1 |
| 2021-22 | Scottie Barnes | +1,100 | 4 |
| 2020-21 | LaMelo Ball | +400 | 3 |
| 2019-20 | Ja Morant | +250 | 2 |
| 2018-19 | Luka Doncic | +250 | 3 |
| 2017-18 | Ben Simmons | +225 | 1 |
| 2016-17 | Malcolm Brogdon | N/A | 36 |
| 2015-16 | Karl-Anthony Towns | +450 | 1 |
| 2014-15 | Andrew Wiggins | +400 | 1 |
| 2013-14 | Michael Carter-Williams | +1,200 | 11 |
| 2012-13 | Damian Lillard | +500 | 6 |
| 2011-12 | Kyrie Irving | +500 | 1 |
| 2010-11 | Blake Griffin | +200 | 1 |
| 2009-10 | Tyreke Evans | +700 | 4 |
| 2008-09 | Derrick Rose | +350 | 1 |
| 2007-08 | Kevin Durant | -200 | 2 |
| 2006-07 | Brandon Roy | +300 | 6 |
| 2005-06 | Chris Paul | N/A | 4 |
| 2004-05 | Emeka Okafor | N/A | 2 |
NBA Rookie of the Year odds FAQ
Memphis C Zach Edey is the current favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year, followed by Alex Sarr and Yves Missi.
San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama won the 2024 NBA ROY.
The first overall pick has won ROY 22 times since 1953.
Yes, three times in fact. The award was shared by Elton Brand and Steve Francis (2000), Grant Hill and Jason Kidd (1995) and Dave Cowens and Geoff Petrie (1971).
Philadelphia's Jared McCain, at his current -175 odds, is predicted to win with a 63.64% implied probability to win.
