NBA Rookie of the Year Odds & Predictions 2026-27: Cameron Boozer Leads Top Contenders

It's a tight race at the top of the leaderboard in the 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year odds.

The top three contenders are separated by just 60 cents, with Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer (+300) leading the pack. Below, I break down which player is most likely to win Rookie of the Year, who is the most underrated by the market, and who has a realistic shot at greater than +2000 odds.

NBA Rookie of the Year odds 2026-27

See all of our experts' NBA picks based on the latest NBA odds.

NBA Rookie of the Year best bet

Cameron Boozer (+300 via BetMGM)

Boozer opened tied with Jazz guard Darryn Peterson for the shortest odds at +330 (July 21 at DraftKings) but has since created some separation.

While Boozer was the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, he'll likely play a larger role on the Ja Morant- and Jaren Jackson Jr.-less Grizzlies than No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa and No. 2 pick Peterson will on the Wizards and Jazz, respectively. Boozer will likely have the highest usage rate among all Grizzlies bigs, while Peterson will have to share touches with Keyonte George (23.6 PPG in 2025-26).

Boozer to win Rookie of the Year (+300 via BetMGM) is the best line available among the top NBA betting sites.

NBA Rookie of the Year value pick

Darius Acuff Jr. (+1200 via BetRivers)

FanDuel has Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. listed at +1000, and I trust FD's trading room to price futures closer to their true odds than BetRivers'.

While the regular season has yet to start, Acuff has already proven that he can score at the highest level, averaging 18.7 PPG on 41.2% shooting from beyond the arc in his first three preseason games.

Acuff will form a backcourt with Ben Simmons, who has averaged more assists than field-goal attempts over his past three seasons, so Acuff should have plenty of opportunities to dominate the offense when Zach LaVine is on the bench.

Acuff to win Rookie of the Year (+1200 via BetRivers) is the best line available among the top sports betting sites.

NBA Rookie of the Year dark horse

Mikel Brown Jr. (+3500 via DraftKings)

Nets guard Mikel Brown Jr. has the seventh-shortest odds to win Rookie of the Year. While that makes him a long shot, we've had a couple of surprise winners in recent years whom few would've picked in the preseason, including Stephon Castle (+1200 in 2024-25) and Scottie Barnes (+1100 in 2021-22).

Brown's +3500 odds underestimate how much he'll have the ball in his hands in Brooklyn. He'll form a starting backcourt with Egor Demin, who averaged just 10.3 PPG in 2025-26. His usage rate could also increase deeper into the season, as Michael Porter Jr. could potentially be traded to a contender before the deadline if extension talks continue without a resolution.

Brown to win Rookie of the Year (+3500 via DraftKings) is the best line available among the top sports betting apps.

Live NBA Rookie of the Year odds

Follow all of our NBA analysis and expert predictions this season.

NBA Rookie of the Year opening odds

Odds via DraftKings, as of July 21.

NBA Rookie of the Year odds history

Preseason odds via Covers' Sports Odds History.