When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn 
The time has come to take a look at how the early NBA Rookie of the Year odds are shaping up at the top NBA sportsbooks.
It remains a tight race between frontrunners Reed Sheppard and Zach Edey as fans eagerly wait to see how the new campaign will shape up.
However, with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft claiming NBA Rookie of the Year honors in each of the past two seasons, Zaccharie Risacher remains an intriguing betting option, closely trailing the favorites.
Also included on the early NBA Rookie of the Year odds is Bronny James, who faces the daunting task of silencing his critics as he gets set to suit up with the Los Angeles Lakers, alongside his father LeBron James.
Read on to learn more about the current NBA Rookie of the Year odds, and how to bet on NBA games to claim the honor this season.
Rookie of the Year Odds NBA
The draft was relatively open compared to many we’ve seen over the years. This means betting remains open at the best online sportsbooks when it comes to who could claim the Rookie of the Year crown.
| Player | Team | Odds |
| Reed Sheppard | Houston Rockets | +600 |
| Zach Edey | Memphis Grizzlies | +650 |
| Zaccharie Risacher | Atlanta Hawks | +850 |
| Alexandre Sarr | Washington Wizards | +900 |
| Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs | +900 |
| Matas Buzelis | Chicago Bulls | +900 |
| Dalton Knecht | Los Angeles Lakers | +1100 |
| Rob Dillingham | Minnesota Timberwolves | +1200 |
| Carlton Carrington | Washington Wizards | +1400 |
| Donovan Clingan | Portland Trail Blazers | +1600 |
| Ronald Holland | Detroit Pistons | +1800 |
| Cody Williams | Utah Jazz | +2000 |
| Kel’el Ware | Miami Heat | +2500 |
| Tidjane Salaun | Charlotte Hornets | +3500 |
| Jared McCain | Philadelphia 76ers | +3500 |
| Terrence Shannon Jr. | Minnesota Timberwolves | +4000 |
| Isaiah Collier | Utah Jazz | +6600 |
| Yves Missi | New Orleans Pelicans | +9000 |
| Devin Carter | Sacramento Kings | +10000 |
| Kyle Filipowski | Utah Jazz | +10000 |
| Ja’Kobe Walter | Toronto Raptors | +10000 |
| Tyler Kolek | New York Knicks | +12500 |
| Bronny James | Los Angeles Lakers | +15000 |
*Odds correct at time of publication at BetOnline
Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets: +600
Selected third overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2024 NBA Draft, Reed Sheppard impressed in summer league action.
He has gained a loyal following of sports bettors, who have helped lift him to the top of the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Noted for his superb long-range shooting, the 20-year-old averaged 2.4 threes and 12.5 points per game in his lone season with the Kentucky Wildcats.
Sheppard is a valuable addition to a rapidly improving Rockets squad that fell just short of a playoff spot last season with a 41-41 record.
- However, the growing stable of young talent in Houston could present a challenge for Sheppard in his bid to nail down a starting role.
- Veteran Fred VanVleet and rising star Jalen Green are set to open the season as starting point guard and shooting guard.
- Last year’s fourth overall pick Amen Thompson is also poised to take on more responsibility.
This means Sheppard may face a depth chart logjam that could diminish his chances to claim Rookie of the Year honors.
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies: +650
Selected ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, the big man from Toronto is set to make the jump to the pros after an illustrious four-year collegiate career.
The former Purdue Boilermakers player led on an impressive March Madness run to a berth in the national championship game last season.
Now one of the ‘payers with the biggest hands in the NBA, the towering 7-foot 4-inch center closed out last season as college basketball’s leading scorer.
- He averaged 25.2 points per game while repeating as national college player of the year and Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year.
- Edey joins a Grizzlies squad that took a huge step back last season after topping 50 wins in their previous two campaigns.
- Injuries emerged as a big concern for this squad, and while the Memphis roster features such big men as Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke and GG Jackson II.
- The starting center job is likely Edey’s to lose.
If this Grizzles squad can regain the form that earned them consecutive Southeast titles in 2022 and 2023, Edey could emerge as an easy pick to win this season’s Rookie of the Year award.
Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks: +850
The top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Zaccharie Risacher has arrived in Georgia amid high expectations.
The Frenchman is coming off a breakthrough season with JL Bourg, leading the LNB squad to the EuroCup finals and claiming LNB Élite Best Young Player and EuroCup Rising Star honors.
Risacher looks poised to take over the starting small forward role in Atlanta, filling the void left by Saddiq Bey, who signed as a free agent with Washington during the offseason.
The forward will get the minutes, so if he can produce on offense, he could emerge as a dark horse in the Rookie of the Year conversation.
With Risacher in the lineup, Jalen Johnson can focus on power forward duties. With center Clint Capela in the mix, the Hawks could emerge as a fearsome force in the paint.
Alexandre Sarr, Washington Wizards: +900
The other big Frenchman in this year’s NBA Draft, second overall pick Alexandre Sarr returns to the US after spending last season with the Perth Wildcats of Australia’s National Basketball League.
The 19-year-old big man joins a Washington Wizards squad with nowhere to go but up after winning just 15 games last season and missing the NBA playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.
With the Wizards in full rebuild mode, Sarr should enjoy plenty of opportunities to play and should emerge as a key contributor.
However, with a roster comprised of aging journeymen and youngsters. Malcolm Brogdon and Jonas Valancuinas are not getting any younger.
Youngsters Carlton “Bub” Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly are unknowns, so it is possible things could get worse in Washington before they get better.
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs: +900
The No. 4 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, Stephon Castle, is making the leap to the NBA after just one season with the UCONN Huskies.
There, he won a national championship at this year’s March Madness. A five-star recruit, Castle earned Big East Freshman of the Year honors while notching 11.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Joining a San Antonio Spurs squad that is coming off a brutal 22-win campaign, Castle will get minutes behind veteran point guard Chris Paul.
However, it would take an unexpected shakeup in San Antonio for this youngster to have a realistic shot at emerging as this season’s top newcomer. Castle is a distant shot in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Bronny James Rookie of the Year Odds
Few players have garnered as much attention ahead of their NBA debut as Bronny James.
Selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, the 19-year-old faces a daunting task to crack a Lakers lineup led by his superstar father LeBron James.
However, Dad is likely to use his influence to ensure his boy gets every possible chance to prove that he belongs in the Association.
Bronny endured a lackluster college basketball debut with USC last season, averaging just 4.8 points and 19.4 minutes per game for the 8-12 Trojans, and did little to raise his stock during NBA summer league play.
The younger James looks toward the new campaign buried at the bottom of the NBA Rookie of the Year odds, and there is little reason to expect any major gains from a young player who would not be getting his NBA chance if he was anyone else’s son.
NBA Rookie of the Year: Verdict
The race for NBA Rookie of the Year could be one of the most open in years. Sharp-shooting Sheppard and role on the improving Rockets make him a strong contender, while Edey’s size and scoring ability could help him stand out with the Grizzlies.
Risacher is another intriguing option, bringing international accolades and the potential to make an impact in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, not even Bronny James’ father will be able to swing a Rookie of the Year award in his son’s favor if he doesn’t perform.
FAQs
How often does the top draft pick win Rookie of the Year?
Can NBA Rookie of the Year odds change during the season?
Has a second-round draft pick ever won NBA Rookie of the Year?
Do rookies from winning teams have a better chance of winning NBA Rookie of the Year?
References
Affiliate Disclosure: Techopedia may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. However, all our recommendations are unbiased and follow a thorough review process. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly and you must be at a legal gambling age.
