NBA Rookie Of The Year Betting Odds 2026

If you guessed that they all inflicted a lot of damage on the 76ers throughout their careers or that they were all named the NBA Rookie of the Year, you would be correct!

Outside of the NBA MVP award, the race to be named the NBA’s top rookie is one of the most exciting in all of basketball.

For sports bettors, it’s even more exciting to try to match your betting skills with your eagle eye for talent. Each NBA season is packed with drama as the league’s newest stars try to leave their mark.

So, who has the best chance to win NBA Rookie of the Year in 2026? Before we start combing through each rookie’s resume, let’s get into some trends and betting insights to help you make informed decisions.

Note: Odds were correct at the time of writing.

Key Trends for Rookie of the Year

Understanding past Rookie of the Year Award winners can give you an edge when analyzing the odds. Here are some key stats to know from the last 20 seasons:

• Top 5 Draft Picks Dominate: A whopping 16 of the last 20 winners were top-five draft picks! Since the NBA Draft Lottery was instituted in 1984, there have been only two Rookie of the Year Award winners (Malcolm Brogdon in 2016-17 and Mark Jackson in 1987-88) to come from outside the lottery picks.
• Ain’t Nuthin But a ‘G’ Thang: Dating back to 2005, guards have brought home the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 12 of the last 20 seasons! However, the last three seasons have seen two forwards (Paolo Banchero and Scottie Barnes) and one center/freak of nature (Victor Wembanyama) win the honors.
• Winning Teams Not Required: The last 20 years have shown us that team success isn’t a major factor in who ultimately brings home the award, as only four Rookie of the Year winners made the playoffs in their debut season.
• #1 Overall Picks: Despite all the hype that comes with being the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA, only eight top overall picks have won the award over the past 20 years! However, the last two NBA Rookie of the Year Awards have gone to the No. 1 overall pick in that draft.

How is the Winner Decided?

The NBA Rookie of the Year Award is selected by a group of broadcasters and journalists in the United States and Canada.

Each voter gets three votes to use, with the first-place vote receiving five points, the second-place vote receiving three points, and the third-place vote receiving one point.

The rookie that has the most total points cast is the one that wins the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, meaning a player could still win the award even if they do not have the most first-place votes.

Betting on the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year Award

Entering the 2026 NBA Season, NBA pundits and draft experts have declared this rookie class to pale in comparison to most of the draft classes over the last two decades.

As a result of this, there is no real clear-cut favorite for the award, and the betting markets for NBA Rookie of the Year have adjusted accordingly.

With such a unique draft class this season, you should still keep an eye on players from the top of the draft board, as history suggests they are the safest bets.

However, don’t overlook players in favorable team situations—rookies with plenty of playing time and the freedom to shine often outperform expectations.

NBA Rookie of the Year Betting Odds Report

So now that we’ve covered the background of this prestigious trophy, let’s get into where things stand in the race for the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year award as we approach the 2025 NBA All-Star Break!

The Frontrunner

Cooper Flagg – F – Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks saw a major change of fortune. After a shocking trade of Luka Doncic, which was ripped by most fans of the team, the team later landed the No. 1 pick in the lottery and was able to take Flagg.

The 19-year-old from Duke has averaged more than 20 points per game with another 6.6 rebounds per game. He remains a heavy favorite to be named Rookie of the Year.

Best Betting Odds as of February 9, 2026: bet365 (+1100)

The Contenders

Kon Knueppel – G – Charlotte Hornets

Knueppel is also having a solid first season with, averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Alsoa former Duke players, the 20-year-old was drafted fourth overall and has helped fuel the Hornets into playoff contention.

However, he remains a longshot to win the Rookie of the Year award. But he should have a solid career ahead of him if he can continue to build on his first year.

Best Betting Odds as of February 9, 2026: bet365 (+600)

VJ Edgecombe – G – Philadelphia 76ers

Edgecombe has been a nice addition to the 76ers offense, averaging 15 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. “The Generator” is originally from the Bahamas and played college ball at Baylor.

Selected third overall, Edgecombe still has some long odds in being named the league’s top rookie.

Best Betting Odds as of February 9, 2026: bet365 (+7500)

NBA Rookie Of The Year Historical Winners

How To Bet On the NBA Rookie of the Year

To bet on the ROTY, follow these steps:

1. Go to your preferred sportsbook and log into your account.
2. Select the ‘NBA Odds’ tab option in the betting menu.
3. Go to the ‘Player Futures’ drop-down menu.
4. Click on ‘Rookie of the Year.’
5. Pick your bet and make it real by submitting it in the bet-slip window.