Breaking down the Rookie of the Year favorites after Chet Holmgren’s injury
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*Odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook*
Orlando Magic, Paolo Banchero (+200)
The Orlando Magic secured Banchero with the first overall pick in this past June’s NBA Draft. While Banchero was always widely considered one of the top three players in this draft class out of the prestigious Duke University, it was not until the draft day that the rumblings really began about the possibility of Banchero going first overall.
Now, he is surrounded by a young core in Orlando that includes Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Mo Bamba, and Wendell Carter, trying to get the Magic back to their winning ways. Banchero is the clear-cut favorite for Rookie of the Year as we head into the start of the season. His skill set at 6-10, along with the opportunity he will get in Orlando being the No. 1 pick, leads to him being the odds-on favorite for the award.
Detroit Pistons, Jaden Ivey (+500)
After falling in the draft lottery, the Pistons could cross a few names off the potential draft picks and focus on the guys they were more likely to get. Ivey was no doubt one of the top names on that subsequent list. Ivey averaged 17.3 points per game at Purdue last season while shooting 46 percent from the floor. He also has numerous Detroit ties, and he fell straight into their lap with the fifth overall pick.
Now, Ivey joins the restoration process that is going on in Detroit alongside the likes of Cade Cunningham and Saddiq Bey. Given the young core around him and his explosiveness of the backcourt, the Pistons look promising. For these reasons, Jaden Ivey is among the leading favorites to win Rookie of the Year this upcoming season.
Sacramento Kings, Keegan Murray (+500)
The Sacramento Kings selected Keegan Murray with the fourth overall pick in the draft in June. Murray, the oldest player in the draft at 22, was arguably the best player in college basketball last season. He was named consensus a First-Team All-American, First-Team All-Big Ten, and went on to win the Karl Malone award as the nation’s top power forward.
He finished his sophomore season averaging 23.5 points per game and 8.7 rebounds on 55 percent shooting from the field. Murray is undoubtedly one of the top choices to compete for the Rookie of the Year trophy, and his game may just be the most NBA-ready to help him seize the hardware.
Houston Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr. (+700)
After being one of the top high school recruits in the class of 2021, Jabari Smith Jr. ended up at Auburn, where he would go on to star. He averaged 16.9 points per game, 7.4 rebounds, and shot 42 percent from three. The three-point shooting, along with his large frame, drew the eyes of NBA scouts, and he was eventually a top-three pick after falling to the Houston Rockets at pick three. Smith Jr. lands in Houston alongside fellow Rocket top-three draft pick Jalen Green.
The Rockets are not expected to be too competitive this upcoming season. Still, given the odds of the third overall compared to guys drafted under him, I think there is value here with Smith Jr., as he should get plenty of opportunities to show off his game this season.
