The race for the NBA's Rookie of the Year has seen some odds shifted since draft night. According to Odd Shark, Phoenix Suns first overall pick Deandre Ayton and Dallas Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic were the top two favourites to win Rookie of the Year at +260 and +300 respectively.
MORE: Boston Celtics' top 10 plays from the 2017-18 season
Opening odds to win NBA Rookie of the Year (Bovada):
— OddsShark (@OddsShark) June 22, 2018
Ayton +260
Doncic +300
Bagley +450
Young +700
Jackson Jr. +900
Bamba +1100
Knox/Porter Jr. +1500
Sexton/Mik. Bridges +2200
Mil. Bridges/Carter Jr. +2800
Gilgeous-Alexander/DiVincenzo +4000
Smith +4500
Walker/Williams +5000
After Summer League they've switched spots, with Doncic now the favourite at +400 and Ayton coming in at +450.
Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saw his stock rise, as he's now +2500 after starting at +4000 after he was selected 11th overall in the draft.
All of this really doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things since Vegas hasn't had much of a success rate when it comes to this award. According to SportsOddHistory, the favourite to win the award has only won it twice since 2006: Kevin Durant in 2007-08 and Brandon Roy the year before.
Consider the case of Donovan Mitchell, who made a strong ROY push before finishing runner-up to Ben Simmons in 2017-18. According to SportsInsights.com, Mitchell ranked just eighth in Rookie of the Year odds this time a year ago behind not only Simmons but Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, Jayson Tatum, Dennis Smith Jr., De'Aaron Fox and Josh Jackson.
| Year | Winner | Pick | Odds | Favorite | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | Ben Simmons | 1 | +225 | Lonzo Ball | +20 |
| 2016-17 | Malcolm Brogdon | 36 | N/A | Joel Embiid | +300 |
| 2015-16 | Karl-Anthony Towns | 1 | +450 | Jahlil Okafor | +350 |
| 2014-15 | Andrew Wiggins | 1 | +400 | Jabari Parker | +225 |
| 2013-14 | Michael Carter-Williams | 11 | +1200 | Victor Oladipo | +300 |
| 2012-13 | Damian Lillard | 6 | +500 | Anthony Davis | +175 |
| 2011-12 | Kyrie Irving | 1 | +500 | Derrick Williams | +350 |
| 2010-11 | Blake Griffin | 1 | +200 | John Wall | +120 |
| 2009-10 | Tyreke Evans | 4 | +700 | Blake Griffin | +120 |
| 2008-09 | Derrick Rose | 1 | +350 | Michael Beasley | +150 |
| 2007-08 | Kevin Durant | 2 | -350 | Kevin Durant | -350 |
| 2006-07 | Brandon Roy | 6 | +200 | Brandon Roy | +200 |
WHO WILL WIN THE 2018-19 NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD?
-
Luka Doncic +400
-
Deandre Ayton +450
-
Kevin Knox +700
-
Collin Sexton +800
-
Marvin Bagley III +850
-
Jaren Jackson Jr. +900
-
Trae Young +1000
-
Wendell Carter Jr. +1200
-
Michael Porter Jr. +1400
-
Mo Bamba +1400
-
Lonnie Walker +2000
-
Miles Bridges +2000
-
Mikal Bridges +2500
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +2500
-
Donte DiVinzenco +3000
-
Harry Giles +4000
-
Robert Williams +5000
-
Zhaire Smith +5000
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.
