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NBA Rookie of the Year Predictions:
To no surprise, the No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham leads the way with +260 odds to win the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2021-22.
The Pistons rookie is the first No. 1 overall pick in Detroit in over 50 years, so the hype is real around Cunningham.
In past years, No. 1 overall picks have not fared well, with Ben Simmons (2016-17) and Karl-Anthony Towns (2015-16) being the last two players to win
In the previous three seasons, the No. 2 or No. 3 picks have won Rookie of the Year with LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant and Luka Doncic. All three teams missed the playoffs, so we do not need a postseason appearance from the guy we throw our money on -- which seems slim from most players on this list, per PointsBet.
The only players with the Rookie of the Year movement after July 29th’s release was Evan Mobley and Jalen Green.
According to NBC’s future model, Mobley, the Cavs No. 3 overall pick saw his odds move from +575 to +500. Green witness his move from +475 to +375 over the weekend.
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So, who has value now compared to later?
Jalen Green (+375), Davion Mitchell (+1600) and Mobley (+550) are appealing bets. However, there are a lot of other mouths to feed on the Rockets, Kings and Cavaliers.
All three players would need an injury to a teammate for me to jump on one of their odds.
Scottie Barnes (+800) and Jonathan Kuminga (+3000) are interesting value picks to start.
With Lowry gone, the Raptors will need all hands on deck to make a postseason appearance in the East. An athletic forward like Barnes can be an easy hedge during the regular season, but his odds should be more like 10-to-1.
Kuminga and Moody (+4000) could play vital roles this season in the Warriors’ postseason pursuit to another championship. With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and James Wiseman all having injury history, either Kuminga or Moody could step up throughout their rookie year.
Josh Giddey (+2000) and Chris Duarte (+3300) should be considered the top sleepers with value to contend for Rookie of the Year, but Cunningham is the clear bet-on player right now.
Cunningham has the potential to average 15-5-5 with the Pistons. As the team rebuilds around him, Cunningham should have the freedom to do as he pleases.
At +260 odds, Cunningham would be a simple in-season hedge to anyone who proves to be his top competition for the award.
Doncic and Ball had far less around them their rookie seasons regarding scoring, as Green or Mobley do on their squads. Both Doncic and Ball, plus Morant, could rebound and rack up assists, which Cunningham can and will do for Detroit.
Cunningham simply checks all the boxes you are looking for in the Rookie of the Year.
I will wait to see how the race plays out, but if Cunningham’s odds go past +300, I think I will have to make a play on him sooner than later.
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