NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2025: Sarr Sits As New Leader
We've already seen plenty of movement in the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year odds, and for what feels like the one-thousandth time, a new first-year player has grabbed control of the leaderboard.
After runaway favorite Jared McCain was sidelined with an injury and a handful of other rookies saw their production fall off, Zach Edey's low usage rate in the Memphis Grizzlies' rotation, and No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher's inconsistency knocked him from the offseason favorite, Washington Wizards big man Alex Sarr is now the No. 1 option.
Here are the latest NBA ROY odds and favorites across our best sports betting sites.
NBA Rookie of the Year odds 2024-25
Live NBA Rookie of the Year odds from our best sports betting apps.
- Yves Missi has been a revelation for the New Orleans Pelicans in the absence of Zion Williamson, but the star just returned to the lineup, which has cut into his production
- Dalton Knecht went on a scoring rampage before the new calendar year, but he's cooled off significantly in his return to a bench role for the Los Angeles Lakers during the new year
- Since coming back from an injury that cost him nearly a month, Edey has only tallied four games of double digit scoring, and none since the calendar flipped to 2025
NBA Rookie of the Year odds favorites 2025
Alex Sarr Rookie of the Year odds (+175)
In a wild Rookie of the Year cycle that has seen a large handful of players take their turns as the favorite for the award, it's only fitting that the new leader is the player who sat in the top spot as soon as the NBA draft concluded in June.
Sarr struggled massively on offense to begin his NBA career, shooting just 37.6% from the field in October and November. But he's been much more efficient ever since, and pairing his improving scoring figures with his excellent defensive ability has made him the lead candidate when no one else is truly stepping up.
On the year, Sarr leads all rookies in blocks per game, and ranks in the top three in minutes, points, and rebounds per contest. He also has the benefit of playing for a Wizards team that is nowhere near contention in the Eastern Conference, meaning that he's able to play through his mistakes on the floor and is given ample opportunities on the court to boost his counting stats.
While much of the value of backing him has evaporated now that he's no longer a longshoot in the market, a winning $10 bet would profit $17.50.
Best odds: +175 via ESPNBet | Implied probability: 36.36%
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Stephon Castle Rookie of the Year odds (+225)
We've been touting Castle's value in this market since he was dealing at +2000 odds early in the year, which felt like an overreaction given his draft pedigree and strong play for UConn last season.
At the end of the day, Castle's candidacy is entirely based on whether he starts or not, because the numbers are stark. He averages 15 points and 4.3 assists as a starter and just 7.2 points and 2.8 assists off the pine. Those splits come with Castle recently being re-inserted into the starting five.
It's also worth noting that the Spurs remain in the thick of a competitive Western Conference, but if they were to eventually slide into a lottery spot, Castle would be primed for additional minutes with the aging Chris Paul currently ahead of him on the depth chart.
There's also an increased chance for Castle to produce if his 3-point jumper starts to fall. He's only at 25.8% from beyond the arc, and his production would soar if he was able to knock down the long ball with more consistency.
Best odds: +225 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 30.77%
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How to bet on NBA Rookie of the Year
Betting on the NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) is pretty straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook that offers ROY futures. Check out the odds for different rookies; for instance, if Player A has +300 odds and Player B has +500, Player A is more likely to win. Place your bet by deciding how much you want to wager. If you bet $100 on Player A at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($100 stake + $300 profit). Keep an eye on the rookies’ performances throughout the season to see how your bet is shaping up.
Now, why do odds move in future markets? Well, it’s mostly about performance and perception. If a rookie starts playing really well or gets injured, their odds will change. A lot of people betting on the same player can also cause the odds to shift as sportsbooks try to manage their risk. Plus, expert predictions and analysis can influence how people bet, which in turn affects the odds. Understanding these factors can help you make smarter bets and maybe even catch some favorable odds shifts.
How to read NBA Rookie of the Year odds
Reading NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) odds is simple once you know the basics. Odds are typically presented in a format like +300 or -150. Positive odds (e.g., +300) indicate how much profit you'd make on a $100 bet. For instance, a $100 bet at +300 odds would win you $300, plus your initial $100 stake, totaling $400. Negative odds (e.g., -150) show how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would win you $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.
Odds also reflect the probability of an outcome. Lower odds (e.g., +100) suggest a higher probability of the player winning, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower probability. Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on factors like player performance, injuries, and betting patterns.
For example, if Rookie A has +200 odds and Rookie B has +500 odds, Rookie A is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on Rookie A and they win, you'd get $300 back ($200 profit + $100 stake). Reading and understanding these odds helps you make informed betting decisions.
NBA Rookie of the Year opening odds
- Alex Sarr, Wizards: +350
- Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks: +450
- Stephon Castle, Spurs: +700
- Reed Sheppard, Rockets: +1200
- Donovan Clingan, Blazers: +1200
- Tidjane Salaun, Hornets: +1200
- Dalton Knecht, Lakers: +1200
- Cody Williams, Jazz: +1400
- Zach Edey, Grizzlies: +1400
- Ron Holland, Pistons: +!500
NBA Rookie of the Year odds history
| Year | Name | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs | -145 |
| 2022-23 | Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic | +200 |
| 2021-22 | Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors | +1100 |
| 2020-21 | LaMelo Ball | Charlotte Hornets | +400 |
| 2019-20 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies | +250 |
| 2018-19 | Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks | +250 |
| 2017-18 | Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers | +225 |
NBA Rookie of the Year FAQs
Who is the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite?
Washington Wizards big man Alex Sarr is the favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year. His best odds of +175 imply a 36.36% probability that he'll win the award, according to our odds calculator.
Who won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award last year?
Victor Wembanyama won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2023-24 after averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks during his first season in the league. His odds closed as short as -10000.
When will the NBA Rookie of the Year be named?
With the 2023-24 award announced on Monday, May 6, during the NBA playoffs, we can expect the 2024-25 award to be decided at a similar time.
NBA betting odds pages
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We loved Castle's odds when he was still a long shot, mostly because he had a projected ceiling that he hadn't come close to meeting. There's still some upside for the Spurs guard with a $10 bet at FanDuel profting $21, but given how volatile this market has been already, it might be worth waiting to see if this price dips.
There's also an increased chance for Castle to produce if his 3-point jumper starts to fall. He's only at 26.8% from beyond the arc, and he is 1-for-9 since returning to his bench position.
It's also worth noting that the Spurs remain in the thick of a competitive Western Conference, but if they were to eventually slide into a lottery spot down the standings, Castle would be primed for additional minutes with the aging Chris Paul currently ahead of him on the depth chart.
Sure enough, the No. 4 pick has turned a corner since moving to the starting lineup for the Spurs. He averaged 14.6 points and 4.5 assists in 17 starts for San Antonio, and while he returned to a reserve role, he's still the favorite in this market with McCain out indefinitely.
We've been touting Castle's value in this market since he was dealing at +2000 odds early in the year, which felt like an overreaction given his draft pedigree and strong play for UConn last season.
Stephon Castle Rookie of the Year odds (+1200)
We loved Castle's odds when he was still a long shot, mostly because he had a projected ceiling that he hadn't come close to meeting. There's still some upside for the Spurs guard with a $10 bet at FanDuel profting $21, but given how volatile this market has been already, it might be worth waiting to see if this price dips.
There's also an increased chance for Castle to produce if his 3-point jumper starts to fall. He's only at 26.8% from beyond the arc, and he is 1-for-9 since returning to his bench position.
It's also worth noting that the Spurs remain in the thick of a competitive Western Conference, but if they were to eventually slide into a lottery spot down the standings, Castle would be primed for additional minutes with the aging Chris Paul currently ahead of him on the depth chart.
Sure enough, the No. 4 pick has turned a corner since moving to the starting lineup for the Spurs. He averaged 14.6 points and 4.5 assists in 17 starts for San Antonio, and while he returned to a reserve role, he's still the favorite in this market with McCain out indefinitely.
We've been touting Castle's value in this market since he was dealing at +2000 odds early in the year, which felt like an overreaction given his draft pedigree and strong play for UConn last season.
Stephon Castle Rookie of the Year odds (+1200)
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