NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2024-25: McCain Becomes Favorite

To the surprise of many, the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year race was actually compelling.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, last year’s No. 1 overall pick and best prospect since LeBron James, eventually won the award. But he faced stiff competition from the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren.

The two-player race was so fierce that Holmgren was the betting favorite early in the year. Bettors could exploit some swings in the odds between Wemby and Holmgren.

If that can happen in a year where a rookie class has a generational prospect, imagine the potential race with a 2024 draft class without any star power. Bettors will need to stay on top of this market throughout the season.

Here is a look at the latest NBA betting odds and my best bets for the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year market:

Odds to Win NBA Rookie of the Year, 2024-25

NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Jared McCain Becomes New Favorite

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain has become the new betting favorite (+140) to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2024-25. Based on his current NBA odds, McCain has an implied probability of 41.67% to win the award.

McCain has made the most of a larger role for the 76ers, who have recently been without Tyrese Maxey and are just getting Joel Embiid back in the lineup. McCain scored 34 points against the Cavaliers, which proved to be the performance that pushed him to the top of this market after opening with +5000 odds.

The top of the NBA Rookie of the Year oddsboard has featured plenty of change. There have been four different betting favorites in this market since draft night.

Washington Wizards big man Alex Sarr opened as the betting favorite, but was passed by Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey once Summer League began. Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher claimed the top spot early in the 2024-25 season before Edey eventually passed him again.

“If you looked at our odds from opening night to now, you’d see some pretty significant changes. I’d expect it to be like that all season,” BetMGM Senior Trader Halvor Egeland said.

Bettors would be wise to follow this market closely this year, as there will be value throughout the season. For example, Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht shot up this board after scoring 37 points against the Utah Jazz in an NBA Cup matchup.

Needless to say, this Rookie of the Year race is wide open.

NBA Rookie of the Year Prediction: Bub Carrington

Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington has been my favorite NBA odds long shot in this market since draft night when he had +5000 odds to win NBA Rookie of the Year. Even at his current +1200 value, I like the idea of having Carrington in my portfolio.

Carrington and Sarr are starting for the Wizards as rookies, which gives them an advantage in a weak class. Carrington has flashed some of his potential early on and I expect his usage to increase as he becomes more comfortable.

Carrington was drafted with the No. 14 overall pick out of Pittsburgh. At 19 years old, he was one of the youngest prospects in the class. So it’s been a pleasant surprise to see Washington trust him this much early in his career.

NBA Rookie of the Year Best Bets – 2024-25

I’ll update this page with my best bets in the Rookie of the Year market throughout the season.

• Matas Buzelis +2000 (0.1 units) on June 27.
• Bub Carrington +5000 (0.1 units) on June 27.

NBA Rookie of the Year Betting Splits

Here are the latest betting insights for the Rookie of the Year market at the online sportsbook:

• Most tickets: Dalton Knecht 15.4%
• Highest handle: Zach Edey 20.1%
• Biggest liability: Bronny James
• Odds leader: Jared McCain

2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year Voting

List of NBA Rookie of the Year Winners