NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green Among Top Contenders

The 2021 NBA Draft is just over a day away, and WynnBET has already released odds for the 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year. 

In a draft class that features three truly elite prospects in Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley, there certainly should be a great race for the award. 

However, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft hasn’t won the award since Karl-Anthony Towns back in 2016. While Ben Simmons, another former No. 1 pick did win in 2018, it came after he sat out a full season. Markelle Fultz was the actual No. 1 selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. 

Does that mean Cunningham, who was heavily favored to go No. 1 overall on WynnBET at -10000 odds, might be facing an uphill battle for the award? It’s possible. 

Players that have landed in promising situations where they made an immediate impact have succeeded in taking home the award in recent seasons.  LaMelo Ball edged No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards in the 2020-21 season not only for his play, but because he helped the Charlotte Hornets make the NBA’s Play-In Tournament last season. 

There have been other players that have risen on draft boards in recent weeks like James Bouknight and Chris Duarte that could land with a contender and step into a major role as well. While they certainly aren’t as talented as Cunningham, there is still a chance they could come away with the award. 

I still think bettors should focus on the trio of Green, Cunningham and Mobley, but here is WynnBET’s full odds list for the 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year award. 

2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

• Cade Cunningham: +250
• Jalen Green: +300
• Evan Mobley: +375
• Jalen Suggs: +550
• Scottie Barnes: +550
• James Bouknight: +1000
• Davion Mitchell: +1000
• Jonathan Kuminga: +1400
• Josh Giddey: +1700
• Ayo Dosunmo: +2000
• Jalen Johnson: +2000
• Corey Kispert: +2000
• Franz Wagner: +2000
• Jared Butler: +2500
• Chris Duarte: +2500
• Keon Johnson: +2500
• Moses Moody: +2500
• Alperen Sengun: +2500
• Sharife Cooper: +4000
• Kai Jones: +4000
• Tre Mann: +4000
• Ziaire Williams: +4000
• Nah’Shon Hyland: +5000
• Miles McBride: +5000
• Trey Murphy III: +5000
• Joshua Primo: +5000

Predictably, Green and Cunningham are in the lead to take home the award. 

Jalen Suggs, who is presumably the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, had a dominant season at Gonzaga University last season and could work his way into the conversation even though he is set at +550 odds. 

Once the 2021 NBA Draft kicks off Thursday night, we should have a better idea of what prospects will have the biggest roles and who fell to the right team to really make a run at the Rookie of the Year award. 

Who do you think wins Rookie of the Year? Get in on the action with the WynnBET app.