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.
Cade Cunningham is the most complete basketball player that I can remember coming into the draft. pic.twitter.com/lZpkwsbimk
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) July 28, 2021
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.