Rookie of the Year odds: The favourites haven't always come home with the hardware

Carlan Gay

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Rookie of the Year odds: The favourites haven't always come home with the hardware image

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.

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.

Carlan Gay

Carlan Gay Photo

Carlan Gay is an assistant managing editor at The Sporting News with a focus on the NFL, NBA, College & global sports. Carlan is also a play-by-play announcer for FIBA calling games on the international level since 2017.

You can follow Carlan on Twitter at @TheCarlanGay.