With the 2020 NBA Draft behind us, the bookies have announced the odds for the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. The teams around the league are already making offseason moves, so it’s the right time to think about the NBA ROY futures odds and betting picks.
According to DraftKings, the No. 3 pick LaMelo Ball is the top fave to win the award, but a few more guys are considered capable of making some serious noise in their rookie season.
Therefore, I bring you the latest odds update along with my best betting pick for the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year winner.
2020 – 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
| Team | Player | Open | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Hornets | LaMelo Ball | +400 | +400 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Anthony Edwards | +450 | +450 |
| New York Knicks | Obi Toppin | +600 | +600 |
| Golden State Warriors | James Wiseman | +600 | +600 |
| Detroit Pistons | Killian Hayes | +700 | +700 |
| Washington Wizards | Deni Avdija | +1400 | +1400 |
| Sacramento Kings | Tyrese Haliburton | +1400 | +1400 |
| Atlanta Hawks | Onyeka Okongwu | +1600 | +1600 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Isaac Okoro | +1600 | +1600 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Kira Lewis Jr | +3300 | +3300 |
| Chicago Bulls | Patrick Williams | +3300 | +3300 |
| Denver Nuggets | RJ Hampton | +5000 | +5000 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Aleksej Pokuševski | +5000 | +5000 |
| New York Knicks | Immanuel Quickley | +5000 | +5000 |
| San Antonio Spurs | Devin Vassell | +5000 | +5000 |
| Miami Heat | Precious Achiuwa | +6000 | +6000 |
| Orlando Magic | Cole Anthony | +6000 | +6000 |
| Toronto Raptors | Malachi Flynn | +6000 | +6000 |
| Dallas Mavericks | Josh Green | +6000 | +6000 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Tyrese Maxey | +6000 | +6000 |
| Phoenix Suns | Jalen Smith | +6000 | +6000 |
| Detroit Pistons | Saddiq Bey | +8000 | +8000 |
| Boston Celtics | Aaron Nesmith | +8000 | +8000 |
| Detroit Pistons | Isaiah Stewart | +8000 | +8000 |
| Utah Jazz | Udoka Azubuike | +10000 | +10000 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | Desmond Bane | +10000 | +10000 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Leandro Bolmaro | +10000 | +10000 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Jaden McDaniels | +10000 | +10000 |
| Denver Nuggets | Zeke Nnaji | +10000 | +10000 |
| Boston Celtics | Payton Pritchard | +10000 | +10000 |
| San Antonio Spurs | Tre Jones | +10000 | +10000 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Theo Maledon | +10000 | +10000 |
| Houston Rockets | Kenyon Martin Jr. | +10000 | +10000 |
| Dallas Mavericks | Tyrell Terry | +10000 | +10000 |
Why LaMelo Ball is the Best Pick for ROY?
Although Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman were both selected ahead of LaMelo Ball, there are a few reasons why the 6-foot-7 point guard from Chino Hills in California is the strongest fave to win the 2020-21 ROY Award.
As the No. 1 pick from the 2020 NBA Draft, Anthony Edwards meets some high expectations, but playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves could be troublesome. The T-Wolves had a couple of ROY Award winners in the previous decade, but unlike Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, Edwards won’t be the first scoring option in his rookie campaign.
The Georgia Bulldogs product will get a lot of minutes, for sure, but Minnesota will lean heavily on Towns and D’Angelo Russell, so Edwards could have problems to post big numbers.
The No. 2 pick James Wiseman is in a similar situation, as the Golden State Warriors won’t give him too much space offensively. Furthermore, Wiseman could struggle with defense and foul trouble which are common problems for rookie big men in the NBA.
Now, LaMelo Ball will be a go-to-guy in Charlotte, as the Hornets lack talent everywhere. They will be a losing team once more, no doubt, after winning just 23 games last season, but LaMelo will drive the Hornets’ offense all season long. Of course, if he stays healthy.
That means Ball will get a huge opportunity to showcase his skills and post nice stat lines day in and day out. LaMelo will join Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier in the Hornets’ backcourt, and all three guys can play well off the ball which is another encouraging sign for Ball’s productivity.
Top Dark Horses for the 2020-21 NBA ROY Award
Obi Toppin sits at the fourth spot of the bookies’ list with the odds at +700, and the 6-foot-9 forward is my top dark horse to upset the rankings and win the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
The New York Knicks surprised many with their decision to spend the No. 8 pick on Toppin. However, I think that was the right move for the stumbled Knicks who decided to get a talented player with an exceptional work rate who can be a big factor on both sides of the ball.
Toppin was the National Player of the Year this past season in his sophomore year at Dayton. Obi averaged 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, leading the Flyers to the 29-2 record.
The Knicks will use Toppin at four for most of the time, and if Obi adds to his shooting range, he could be a key guy in New York’s offense. Toppin shot 41.7% from downtown in college, but he’ll need some time to adapt to a further arc.
Killian Hayes is listed at +800, and I don’t trust the 19-year-old Frenchman at all. He’s coming from Europa and the transition to the NBA style of play will be a huge issue, especially on the defensive end. Though, Hayes should get a bunch of action in Detroit.
Tyrese Haliburton is another long shot, as the 6-foot-5 PG will have to fight for his minutes in Sacramento and play behind De’Aaron Fox. Onyeka Okongwu’s minutes in Atlanta could be limited, too, while Isaac Okoro will have to find his place in the Cavaliers’ chaotic offense.
Keep your eyes on Kira Lewis Jr., who’s a great fit for the Pelicans’ dynamic offensive game. With a reliable jump shot and great quickness, the former Alabama point guard could post decent numbers while playing alongside Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
