2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: LaMelo Is Overwhelming Favorite
As quickly as he was dismissed in the odds as a potential first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, bookmakers have been even quicker to make the Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball the favorite in NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
We’re almost two months into the 2020-21 NBA season and Ball is already a -525 favorite to win Rookie of the Year after his first 28 games in the league. Those implied odds from the best basketball betting sites suggest Ball has an 84 percent chance of winning this betting prop.
Ball has been as good as advertised since being picked third overall by the Hornets and is averaging 14.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. He’s also the only rookie to put up a triple-double so far this season.
Following LaMelo on the oddsboard is the Sacramento Kings’ Tyrese Haliburton at +600. The Iowa State product has been a solid secondary scoring option for the Kings, averaging 12.2 points and shooting 44.1 percent from behind the arc in 26 games.
The NBA Rookie of the Year odds take a slight jump after Haliburton, with New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley at +1200, Warriors center James Wiseman at +1500 and Timberwolves No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards at +1800.
Who Will Win NBA Rookie Of The Year in 2021?
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| LaMelo Ball | -525 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | +600 |
| Immanuel Quickley | +1200 |
| James Wiseman | +1500 |
| Anthony Edwards | +1800 |
| Cole Anthony | +3300 |
| Tyrese Maxey | +10000 |
| Obi Toppin | +15000 |
| Deni Avdija | +15000 |
| Desmond Bane | +15000 |
| Isaac Okoro | +15000 |
| Patrick Williams | +15000 |
| Saddiq Bey | +15000 |
| Kira Lewis Jr. | +20000 |
| Aaron Nesmith | +30000 |
| Onyeka Okongwu | +30000 |
| Precious Achiuwa | +30000 |
| Theo Maledon | +20000 |
| Jalen Smith | +30000 |
| Facundo Campazzo | +30000 |
| Malachi Flynn | +30000 |
Odds as of February 19 at BetOnline
Why LaMelo Ball Is The ROY Favorite
We may be only a third of the way through the NBA season but given the way Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball is playing, he’s a no-brainer as the favorite in NBA Rookie of the Year odds. The wiry guard is a threat from all angles on the court with his pinpoint passing and his propensity to pull up in transition and bomb from behind the three-point arc.
Speaking of his passing, although he only plays 27.7 minutes a night (fifth on the team), Ball is first on the Hornets in steals (1.7 per game) and assists. His 6.2 dimes per game ranks 19th in the NBA. The fact remains that no other rookie this season is doing the things that LaMelo can do on the court. His feel for the game is infectious among his teammates.
Another reason why he has the edge over the likes of first overall pick Anthony Edwards and No. 2 selection James Wiseman is the Hornets are actually winning some games. They may only be 13-15 SU in 28 games but that would be good enough to make the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference. They’re also doing a lot of their damage as underdogs, winning 10 of those 13 games when they weren’t favored.
The main knock on Ball was his three-point shooting percentage but he’s been shooting lights-out lately. After hitting at only 30.8 percent through 15 games, he’s now up to 35.4 percent, which puts him among the better shooters in the NBA. Especially when he’s averaging five attempts a game.
The value on Ball might be all but gone at this stage with his odds at -525 but after being tabbed as the preseason favorite in NBA Rookie of the Year odds at +400, there’s no one to blame but ourselves if we didn’t grab him then.
Understanding NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
When you go to any basketball sportsbook, you’ll see prop odds displayed like this:
LaMelo Ball +400
Anthony Edwards +450
James Wiseman +500
You’ll see that Ball is the front-runner because he has the lowest number beside his name. In this scenario, he is considered to be the slight favorite over Edwards, who is listed at +450.
If you think Edwards will win Rookie of the Year, and you bet $100 on him, you’d get a payout of $550 – your original money is returned coupled with your winnings of $450. To find out what you’d get based on the odds and betting amount, check out our Odds Calculator.
What is a Prop Bet on NBA Rookies?
Any bet that is made on the occurrence or non-occurrence of certain player or team milestones that don’t necessarily correlate to the result of a particular game is a prop. In this case, you’re betting on a player’s chances of winning Rookie of the Year.
The oddsmakers will move the lines as the season progresses. As more games are played and different players show their skills on the court, the odds will shift. If you see odds you like, it’s best to take them early so you can get the most value should you win your bet.
NBA Rookie of the Year FAQ
Who won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2019-20?
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant won the NBA Rookie of the Year for 2019-20 after averaging 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists. He was the first player from Murray State to ever win the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Has an NBA rookie ever won NBA MVP?
Yes, two players have won the NBA Rookie of the Year award and Most Valuable Player award in the same season. Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1960 with the Philadelphia Warriors and Wes Unseld accomplished the same feat in 1969 with the Baltimore Bullets.
Is there an NBA Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year?
No, unlike the NFL, the NBA only has one Rookie of the Year award. When voters consider which player should win the award, they factor in both offensive and defensive statistics to make their choice.
