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Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic reacts during a game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2022 NBA Summer League.
Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic reacts during a game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2022 NBA Summer League. Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images via AFP.

The NBA has handed out the Rookie of the Year Award since 1952-53. Check out our top NBA Rookie of the Year picks and predictions below.

Malcolm Brogdon, selected 36th overall in 2016, is the only second-rounder to win the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award. Of the 73 winners, 55 have been top-five picks in the draft, and only six winners were selected outside the top nine (the average pick of winners is 4.7).

This award doesn’t typically feature dark horses or surprises, and this year’s list of hopefuls is once again headlined by early draft picks.

Here are some of the top Rookie of the Year picks and predictions for the 2022-23 NBA season (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook).

Top 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year Picks to Make: Favorites

Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic (+200)

The No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft has won Rookie of the Year 22 times, more than any other draft position in the award’s history. Will Duke standout Paolo Banchero become the 23rd?

Banchero has had an unimpressive preseason thus far, averaging just 12 points and four boards on 36.7% shooting. However, he's shown he can be a team’s go-to option on offense and flashed surprising upside as a passer.

As the No. 1 pick, Banchero should have no shortage of opportunities for the rebuilding Magic this season, but it remains to be seen how touches will be distributed in a crowded frontcourt.

Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings (+450)

Murray took the NBA by storm right out of the gate, earning Summer League MVP honors behind impressive averages of 23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting better than 50% from the floor and 40% from beyond the arc.

In two preseason contests, his numbers have stayed strong at 16 points, 4.5 boards, 3.5 threes, and two steals per game while shooting 70.6% from the field.

Sacramento is loaded with guards, but the forward position isn’t remarkably deep. That should afford Murray plenty of minutes and touches to do what he does best on both ends of the court.

Murray is my favorite bet to win ROY, and his odds are more than twice as long as Banchero’s.

Jabari Smith, Houston Rockets (+600)

 Smith played only one preseason game before he sprained his left ankle, but he was impressive in it, going for 21 points and eight boards in just over 24 minutes.

He had an impressive one-and-done season at Auburn thanks to his knock-down shooting, and many believed he'd be the No. 1 pick in the draft until the 11th hour.

Smith is set to start for Houston on Day 1, and he’s got a clear path to win this award.

Top 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year Picks to Make: Long Shots

Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat (+5000)

Minutes might be tough to come by for Jovic right out of the gate, but if he can carve out a spot in Miami’s regular rotation, he’s got a shot to win Rookie of the Year.

He’s averaged 10.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, two 3-pointers, and 1.3 steals in four preseason games. That included a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double in Monday’s win over Houston.

Tari Eason, Houston Rockets (+6000)

Eason is my favorite long shot, and it’s not particularly close. After an impressive Summer League showing, the "Bucket from the Bayou" has averaged 20.7 points and 10 boards through three preseason appearances.

He’s got Eric Gordon and Jae’Sean Tate ahead of him on the depth chart for now, but the aging Gordon won’t stick in the rotation, and Tate injured his knee Monday.

Eason is far too talented and has flashed too much upside to be left on the bench. If you want a lottery-ticket wager, this is the one to make.

Where to Bet on NBA Rookie of the Year Picks

NBA Rookie of the Year picks made on 10/11/2022 at 10:25 a.m.