NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2025-26: Flagg Remains Overwhelming Favorite

No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks is the betting favorite to be the NBA's Rookie of the Year.
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2025-26: Flagg Remains Overwhelming Favorite
Pictured: Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) looks on. Photo by Candice Ward via Imagn Images.

First overall pick Cooper Flagg remains the heavy betting favorite in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds ahead of the start of the 2025-26 season.

At -175, he's miles ahead of his counterparts, with Tre Johnson of the Washington Wizards (+1200) and the San Antonio Spurs' Dylan Harper (+1200) closest.

Harper is looking to become the third straight Spur to win the award after Victor Wembanyama in 2024 and Stephon Castle last season. However, I'm eyeing a player further down the oddsboard for my best non-Flagg bet.

📊 NBA Rookie of the Year odds 2025-26

Our NBA Rookie of the Year odds update in real time based on the latest NBA odds.

🏆 NBA Rookie of the Year favorite

🤠 Cooper Flagg, Mavericks (-175)

NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2025-26: Flagg Remains Overwhelming Favorite
Pictured: Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32). Photo by Candice Ward via Imagn Images.

The best sports betting sites have immense faith in Cooper Flagg winning this award, with no other rookie in the same neighborhood as him on the oddsboard.

Not only is the Duke product incredibly skilled on both sides of the ball; he'll play for a team filled with Hall of Famers that is expected to make the playoffs and remains in the spotlight following the notorious Luka Doncic trade earlier this year.

Flagg joins a group headlined by Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving - with the latter expected back from injury in the second half of the season. The pairing with Davis in particular should be a sight to behold, especially on the defensive end.

The 18-year-old has all the tools and veteran help to be a dominant force from Day 1 in the Association, and his betting odds to win Rookie of the Year reflect that.

Flagg's best odds to win the award are -175 at DraftKings, which translate to an implied probability of 63.64%, according to our odds calculator. A $10 bet would net a $5.71 profit.


👀 My NBA Rookie of the Year prediction & best bet

🎶 Ace Bailey, Jazz (+2000)

NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2025-26: Flagg Remains Overwhelming Favorite
Pictured: Ace Bailey looks on after being selected as the fifth pick by the Utah Jazz. Photo by Brad Penner via Imagn Images.

Rookie of the Year is clearly Flagg's to lose, but injuries happen, and meshing with a veteran Mavericks group could take time.

There are some other great options at long odds - but none more enticing than Ace Bailey of the Utah Jazz.

Bailey was once projected to go as high as second overall in this year's draft by some, but a poor combine showing and reportedly unprofessional communication between him and teams led to Bailey falling to Utah at No. 5.

You can't ignore the smoke related to his draft fall, but this is a long-shot bet worth making for a few different key reasons, starting with Bailey's talent.

The 19-year-old is a hyper-athletic guard with the ability to finish strong at the rim, which could result in plenty of highlight-reel plays, even if the total package may be uneven.

The Jazz currently have the longest odds of any team to make the playoffs, +7000 at FanDuel, meaning this is another development year for the franchise. Bailey should get plenty of playing time and will be in the Rookie of the Year race if he makes the most of his minutes.

At +2000, which translates to an implied probability of 4.76%, a $10 bet would net a $2000 profit.


🔢 NBA Rookie of the Year opening odds

Odds via FanDuel.

  • Cooper Flagg: -190
  • Ace Bailey: +850
  • Tre Johnson: +850
  • Dylan Harper: +1200
  • VJ Edgecombe: +2500
  • Derik Queen: +3000
  • Jeremiah Fears: +3500
  • Kon Knueppel: +3500
  • Egor Demin: +3500
  • Kasparas Jakucionis: +6000
  • Collin Murray-Boyles: +7500
  • Noa Essengue: +10000
  • Walter Clayton Jr.: +10000
  • Jase Richardson: +10000
  • Khaman Maluach: +10000
  • Danny Wolf: +10000
  • Cedric Coward: +10000
  • Will Riley: +20000
  • Asa Newell: +20000
  • Thomas Sorber: +20000
  • Nolan Traore: +20000
  • Carter Bryant: +20000
  • Joan Beringer: +40000

🏆 NBA Rookie of the Year odds history

Year Name Team Preseason odds
2024-25 Stephon Castle San Antonio Spurs +700
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?

Cooper Flagg (-175 via DraftKings) is the favorite to be the NBA Rookie of the Year after being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks.

Who won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award last year?

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle won the NBA Rookie of the Year award after leading rookies in points scored with 1,190 in 81 games. He opened with Rookie of the Year odds of +700.

💰 NBA betting odds pages

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