NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2025: Edey Favorite Following Strong Summer League Showing

The biggest rookie in the NBA is now expected to be the best with Zach Edey sitting as the new favorite by the NBA Rookie of the Year odds across our best NBA betting sites.

It didn't take long for the oddsboard to get shaken up following the NBA draft, and that shouldn't come as a surprise with how weak this rookie class is considered to be compared to recent years.

While there's no Victor Wembanyama set to unleash on the rest of the NBA and become an NBA MVP odds candidate by Year 2, a handful of rookies are in advantageous situations that should allow them to make some noise in the NBA Rookie of the Year race.

Situation is everything. That's part of the reason Edey has shot to the top with the No. 9 overall pick set to start at the five for the Memphis Grizzlies. For now, his biggest competition comes from the top three picks in the draft: Zaccharie Risacher, Alexandre Sarr, and Reed Sheppard.

Meanwhile, second-round pick Bronny James (+50000) is the longest shot rookie that our best sports betting sites are offering with him set to team up with his father on the Los Angeles Lakers.

But in a lesser rookie class, could a later pick from an NBA championship odds contender step up and win the award? What about Wembanyama's new teammate? There are several legitimate contenders for the award this season.

NBA Rookie of the Year odds

NBA Rookie of the Year odds from our best sports betting apps as of July 18 | 🔥 = best odds | ❄️ = worst odds

NBA Rookie of the Year favorites

Zach Edey (+600)

It's been quite the ride for Edey. The Canadian went from being the most polarizing player in college basketball to a two-time national player of the year at Purdue. Even with the accolades, and dominance in leading the Boilermakers to the NCAA Tournament championship game, very few viewed him as a legit NBA talent.

At 7-foot-4, 305 pounds, concerns over his foot speed and change of direction were frequently brought up during the pre-draft process. It's part of the reason he was viewed as a fringe lottery pick. And when the Grizzlies took him in the top 10, there were mixed reactions.

Few doubted Edey more than I did, but in a rookie class like this one, why not swing on the back-to-back NCAA player of the year? I think what Memphis did makes a lot of sense, and sportsbooks agree, with Edey jumping from +1400 odds to +600 in less than a month. The man averaged 25.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG, and 2.2 BPG as a senior after all.

He's also already showcased his size and physicality in NBA Summer League with a 14-point, 15-rebound, four-block game in his debut. While he hasn't played again since due to an ankle injury, he showed enough to get excited about his chances - plus he's got a clear path to start unlike many of the other candidates. While I don't love the value of Edey's odds - paying just a $60 profit on a $10 bet - he makes the most sense to back at the moment.

Best odds: +600 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 14.29%

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Alexandre Sarr (+1000)

After spending weeks as the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, Sarr's odds fell off a cliff. He may have had something to do with it, too. Leading up to the draft Sarr declined to work out for the Atlanta Hawks - it was rumored he wanted to be selected by a team where he could see immediate starter minutes., 

Initially it looked like he got his wish by landing with the Washington Wizards second overall. However, following the draft, Washington signed veteran Jonas Valanciunas to a three-year, $30 million contract. That could impact Sarr's playing time with the 7-footer expected to play the five in the NBA.

Could new head coach Brian Keefe opt to start Sarr at power forward instead and move Kyle Kuzma to the three? It would give Washington a massive frontcourt and ensure the No. 2 pick plays enough minutes to develop.

For that to happen, he'll need to shoot a lot better than he has in NBA Summer League. He just logged a game in which he went 0-for-15 from the floor, including 0-for-7 from three. The concern for him as a prospect was always his shooting, too. He shot just 29.5% from three and 61% from the free throw line with the Perth Wildcats (NBL) last year.

Will Sarr be an impactful enough scorer to win this award? I have my doubts. Only one player has won NBA Rookie of the Year in the last 20 seasons while averaging fewer than 15 PPG (Malcolm Brogdon). A $10 bet on him to win the award pays a $100 profit if he does.

Best odds: +1000 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 9.09%

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Zaccharie Risacher (+800)

Could it be back-to-back seasons with a No. 1 pick from France winning NBA Rookie of the Year?

Hawks fans sure hope so after Atlanta took Risacher with the top pick. While he was the runaway favorite to be the first selection by the 2024 NBA Draft odds, he's not the front-runner for NBA Rookie of the Year.

Despite holding the No. 1 pick, Atlanta nearly qualified for the NBA playoffs via the play-in tournament. Its roster is more talented than the Wizards' with Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De'Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson, and Clint Capela. So while Risacher's team may be in the playoff race, he could have a harder time putting up numbers than Edey and Sarr.

However, the Hawks have already made a major move since drafting Risacher. They traded Dejounte Murray to New Orleans, clearing the way for Risacher to get a slightly larger role than expected. Still, Atlanta returns four players who averaged over 15.5 points per game last season. While Risacher is a legit catch-and-shoot threat and connected on 38.7% of his threes in France's top pro league last season, will he get enough looks?

He's joining this Hawks team as the fourth scoring option at best and likely can't move above being the No. 3 option as a rookie. That certainly hurts his chances, but being on a playoff contender could be more important for the award this year. If he wins, a $10 bet pays out $90.

Best odds: +800 via Caesars | Implied probability: 11.11%

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My NBA Rookie of the Year candidate to watch

Stephon Castle (+1100)

If one of the top three favorites wins NBA Rookie of the Year, that means it will either be the second straight season a French player or a big man takes home the award. But could it be the second straight year a San Antonio Spurs player takes it home?

Stephone Castle is joining a team with plenty of buzz as Wembanyama enters his second season as an MVP sleeper and an NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds favorite. That means there will be plenty of eyes on San Antonio and Castle should quickly build support for the award if he plays up to his potential.

While he was vocal about wanting to be drafted by a team in need of a point guard, a position he didn't play at UConn, San Antonio signed Chris Paul to a one-year, $11 million deal shortly after the draft. Obviously, that will impact Castle's playing time to some extent, but he showed his versatility at UConn playing the one, two, and three.

That's why I'm confident he'll be on the court for Gregg Popovich early and often, especially because of his hustle and on-ball defense. While he's still developing as a shooter, there were glimpses of improvement during the Huskies' NCAA Tournament run.

And he's capable of getting downhill and attacking the rim. These odds pay a $110 profit if he wins.

Best odds: +1100 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 8.33%

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Bronny James Rookie of the Year odds

+50000

After an anti-climactic collegiate career at USC in which he averaged just 4.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, and 2.1 APG, James managed to get drafted. The Lakers took him with the 55th overall pick to unite him with his father, LeBron James, in L.A. Between his bloodline and brand-name, James will likely be a favorite long-shot bet for many fans.

Can he actually win the award? In the Bronny James odds and prop bets, I detailed why it's nearly impossible for him to win. His performance in NBA Summer League surely won't instill any confidence in bettors either, but he did finally hit a three after 16 straight misses.

If he does somehow make history though, a $10 bet on James' odds pay a $5,000 profit.

Best odds: +50000 via bet365 | Implied probability: 0.20%

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NBA Rookie of the Year odds over time

Odds via DraftKings.

Past NBA Rookie of the Year winners

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 FAQs

Who is the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite?

Memphis Grizzlies' rookie, and No. 9 overall pick, Zach Edey is the favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year. His odds are as short as +450, implying a 18.18% probability he'll win the award.

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.

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