NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2025: McCain the Favorite; Edey Falling After Injury

We're more than a month into the 2024-25 NBA season, and we've already seen some dramatic movement in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds after an injury to the preseason favorite.

• Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (+4000) was the favorite a few weeks ago but left Nov. 17's win over the Denver Nuggets with an ankle injury
• Edey was already losing his grip on this race to Jared McCain (-150), who is now the favorite across the best NBA betting sites after a sizzling run for the Philadelphia 76ers
• Top overall pick Zaccharie Risacher (+1500) is growing more comfortable with his game for the Atlanta Hawks, but still ranks fourth behind McCain, Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht, and San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle

Given the relative weakness of this rookie class, there are plenty of compelling value plays in this market across our best sports betting sites. 

NBA Rookie of the Year odds 2024-25

Live NBA Rookie of the Year odds from our best sports betting apps.

• Jared McCain has seized the top spot in this market after forcing his way into the 76ers' starting lineup behind a sensational scoring run
• Dalton Knecht went on a scoring rampage, averaging 22.8 points over a five-game stretch to close the gap on McCain and seperate himself from the rest of the pack
• Zach Edey lost his starting spot and then got hurt, but he's still averaging 11.1 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Grizzlies

NBA Rookie of the Year odds favorites 2025

Jared McCain (-150)

When the season started last month, McCain was dealing around 50/1 odds across our best sportsbooks, and he was nearly a 70/1 long shot entering November.

Then the Sixers threw the former Duke star into a key rotation role amid injuries. He immediately responded with a staggering 24.3 points per game across his next nine games while playing at least 27 minutes in all of them.

He's done much of his damage from beyond the arc, draining 4.1 triples per game over that stretch on a blistering 42% from deep. That includes a 34-point, 10-assist effort against the Cleveland Cavaliers when he nailed six 3-pointers in a close loss.

It is worth mentioning that since Paul George and Tyrese Maxey returned to the lineup, McCain has slid back down to a bench role, and he only scored seven points in his first game as a reserve.

Given that 15 players were taken ahead of McCain in June, and his new role on the 76ers, it seems inevitable that this hot streak will cool off at some point, right? Because if it doesn't, the 76ers rookie appears to have this race all but locked up.

Considering McCain is now trading as a true favorite in the betting market, the sportsbooks would seem to agree.

Best odds: -150 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 60.00%

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My NBA Rookie of the Year odds candidate to watch

Stephon Castle (+950)

Castle's Rookie of the Year odds have dropped precipitously since draft night, going from +700 all the way to a peak +2000. After just a few months, it's easy to forget that the athletic point guard was a key cog for a UConn team that just ran its way through the NCAA Tournament.

Yet, Castle has picked up his play recently after a slow start, averaging 14.9 points and 4.8 assists in 31 minutes per game over his last 12 contests, boosting his odds up to +950. And in such a weak rookie class, there's value in projecting an even bigger role for the San Antonio Spurs rookie as the season progresses.

Castle is playing behind 39-year-old Chris Paul in the backcourt, and though The Point God has been excellent to start the year, one can expect a trail off and perhaps lots of rest moving forward.

Plus, if the Spurs fall out of contention in the Western Conference, Castle could be sprung into the spotlight more often. 

And with odds as high as +950 via FanDuel, which would turn a $10 bet into a $95 profit if he wins, it's worth backing him at this price in case McCain remains in a bench role and isn't able to produce to the same effect as he did during his torrid stretch.

Best odds: +950 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 4.76%

How to bet on NBA Rookie of the Year

Betting on the NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) is pretty straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook that offers ROY futures. Check out the odds for different rookies; for instance, if Player A has +300 odds and Player B has +500, Player A is more likely to win. Place your bet by deciding how much you want to wager. If you bet $100 on Player A at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($100 stake + $300 profit). Keep an eye on the rookies’ performances throughout the season to see how your bet is shaping up.

Now, why do odds move in future markets? Well, it’s mostly about performance and perception. If a rookie starts playing really well or gets injured, their odds will change. A lot of people betting on the same player can also cause the odds to shift as sportsbooks try to manage their risk. Plus, expert predictions and analysis can influence how people bet, which in turn affects the odds. Understanding these factors can help you make smarter bets and maybe even catch some favorable odds shifts.

How to read NBA Rookie of the Year odds

Reading NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) odds is simple once you know the basics. Odds are typically presented in a format like +300 or -150. Positive odds (e.g., +300) indicate how much profit you'd make on a $100 bet. For instance, a $100 bet at +300 odds would win you $300, plus your initial $100 stake, totaling $400. Negative odds (e.g., -150) show how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would win you $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.

Odds also reflect the probability of an outcome. Lower odds (e.g., +100) suggest a higher probability of the player winning, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower probability. Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on factors like player performance, injuries, and betting patterns.

For example, if Rookie A has +200 odds and Rookie B has +500 odds, Rookie A is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on Rookie A and they win, you'd get $300 back ($200 profit + $100 stake). Reading and understanding these odds helps you make informed betting decisions.

NBA Rookie of the Year odds over time

Latest odds via FanDuel.

NBA Rookie of the Year past winners

NBA Rookie of the Year FAQs

Who is the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite?

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain is the favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year. His best odds of -150 imply a 60.00% probability that he'll win the award, according to our odds calculator.

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

Victor Wembanyama won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2023-24 after averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks during his first season in the league. His odds closed as short as -10000.

When will the NBA Rookie of the Year be named?

With the 2023-24 award announced on Monday, May 6, during the NBA playoffs, we can expect the 2024-25 award to be decided at a similar time.

NBA betting odds pages

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