NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2025: McCain the New Favorite; Edey Falls After Injury
We're less than a month into the 2024-25 NBA season, and we've already seen some dramatic movement in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds after an injury to the preseason favorite.
- Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (+950) was the favorite last week but left Sunday's win over the Denver Nuggets with an ankle injury
- Edey was already losing his grip on this race to Jared McCain (+200), who is now the favorite across the best NBA betting sites after a sizzling run for the Philadelphia 76ers
- Top overall pick Zaccharie Risacher (+490) is growing more comfortable with his game for the Atlanta Hawks and ranks second behind McCain
Given the relative weakness of this rookie class, there are plenty of compelling value plays in this market across our best sports betting sites.
NBA Rookie of the Year odds 2024-25
NBA Rookie of the Year odds from our best sports betting apps as of Nov. 18. Odds subject to change.
| Player | Odds (FanDuel) | Implied probability | Profit ($10 bet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jared McCain | +200 | 33.33% | $20 |
| Zaccharie Risacher | +490 | 16.95% | $49 |
| Bub Carrington | +650 | 13.33% | $65 |
| Zach Edey | +950 | 9.52% | $95 |
| Dalton Knecht | +1200 | 7.69% | $120 |
| Alexandre Sarr | +1400 | 6.67% | $140 |
| Stephon Castle | +1800 | 5.26% | $180 |
| Jaylen Wells | +2000 | 4.76% | $200 |
| Donovan Clingan | +2400 | 4.00% | $240 |
| Ryan Dunn | +3400 | 2.86% | $340 |
- Jared McCain (+200) has seized the top spot in this market after forcing his way into the 76ers' starting lineup behind a sensational scoring run
- Zaccharie Risacher (+490) came off the bench early on but has started a dozen straight games for the Hawks while stuffing the stat sheet along the way
- Zach Edey (+950) lost his starting spot and then got hurt, but he's still averaging 11.1 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Grizzlies
NBA Rookie of the Year favorites 2025
Jared McCain (+200)
When the season started last month, McCain was dealing around 50/1 odds across our best sportsbooks, and he was nearly a 70/1 long shot entering November.
Then the Sixers threw the former Duke star into a key rotation role amid injuries, and he immediately responded with a staggering 26.2 points per game across the last five games while playing at least 30 minutes in all of them.
He's done much of his damage from beyond the arc, draining 22 triples in those five games on a blistering 44% from deep. That includes a 34-point, 10-assist effort last Wednesday when he nailed six 3-pointers in a close loss to the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers.
Given that 15 players were taken ahead of McCain in June, it seems inevitable that this hot streak will cool off at some point, right? Because if it doesn't, the 76ers rookie appears to have this race all but locked up.
If he does hold on to win this award, a $10 bet at BetRivers would return a $25 profit.
Best odds: +250 via BetRivers | Implied probability: 28.57%
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Zaccharie Risacher (+490)
Risacher started his NBA career ice-cold, leaving many to wonder whether he was worthy of being selected by the Hawks with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Through his first eight career games, the Frenchman was averaging just 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on 32.9% shooting from the field and 21.1 from the floor. Those were far from Rookie of the Year numbers, and Risacher sat as low as fifth on the board at some of our best sports betting apps.
And then, Risacher exploded against the New York Knicks on Nov. 4, and his Rookie of the Year odds immediately soared. He put up 33 points on 11-of-18 shooting, adding six threes, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks in a stunning victory over the Knicks.
Naturally, Risacher immediately reverted back to struggling from the field following that contest, but the 19-year-old was able to flash his potential of what his game could develop into over time.
In a Rookie of the Year race where there's no obvious runaway favorite at the top (assuming McCain cools off), even the occasional pop from Risacher could be enough to secure the hardware.
If he does, a $10 bet would return a $50 profit at DraftKings.
Best odds: +500 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 16.67%
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My NBA Rookie of the Year candidate to watch
Stephon Castle (+1800)
Castle's Rookie of the Year odds have dropped precipituously since draft night, going from +700 all the way to +1800. After just a few months, it's easy to forget that the athletic point guard was a key cog for a UConn team that just ran its way through the NCAA Tournament.
Yet Castle has picked up his play recently after a slow start, averaging 15.2 points and 4.7 assists over nearly 30 minutes per game over his last six contests. And in such a weak rookie class, there's value in projecting an even bigger role for the San Antonio Spurs rookie as the season progresses.
Castle is playing behind 39-year-old Chris Paul in the backcourt, and though the Point God has been excellent to start the year, one can expect a trail off and perhaps lots of rest moving forward.
Plus, if the Spurs fall out of contention in the Western Conference, Castle could be sprung into the spotlight more often.
Castle showed better shooting touch in the preseason, averaging 11 points and 3.6 assists on 44.7% shooting. If he can maintain his current playing time while finding more consistency with his stroke, there would be a real avenue for him to push back into contention.
And with odds as high as +2000 via BetMGM, which would turn a $10 bet into a $200 profit if he wins, it's worth backing him at this price.
Best odds: +2000 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 4.76%
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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 odds over time
Latest odds via BetMGM.
| Name | Opening odds (June 27) | July 18 | Nov. 12 | Nov. 18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Sarr | +350 | +650 | +800 | +1600 |
| Zaccharie Risacher | +450 | +700 | +325 | +500 |
| Stephon Castle | +700 | +1000 | +1600 | +2000 |
| Reed Sheppard | +1200 | +800 | +6600 | +8000 |
| Donovan Clingan | +1200 | +1500 | +6000 | +2500 |
| Tidjane Salaun | +1200 | +2500 | +10000 | +30000 |
| Dalton Knecht | +1200 | +1000 | +2500 | +1200 |
| Cody Williams | +1400 | +2500 | +6000 | +20000 |
| Zach Edey | +1400 | +600 | +325 | +1000 |
| Ronald Holland | +1500 | +2000 | +8000 | +15000 |
| Rob Dillingham | +2000 | +1700 | OFF | +30000 |
| Matas Buzelis | +2000 | +1500 | +10000 | +20000 |
| Devin Carter | +3000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Jared McCain | +4000 | +3500 | +1800 | +175 |
| Kel'el Ware | +5000 | +4000 | +10000 | +20000 |
| Carlton Carrington | +5000 | +1500 | +650 | +700 |
| Tyler Kolek | +6000 | +10000 | +15000 | +50000 |
| Kyshawn George | +7500 | +7500 | +3000 | +5000 |
| Kyle Filipowski | +7500 | +10000 | +3500 | +4000 |
| Ja'Kobe Walter | +7500 | +7500 | +15000 | +50000 |
| Bronny James | +25000 | +25000 | OFF | OFF |
NBA Rookie of the Year past winners
| 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?
Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain is the favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year. His shortest 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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