NBA Rookie of the Year Betting Preview

The 2021 NBA Draft has just come and gone, and people are already labeling it as the best class since the year 2003. Safe to say this years rookies have sky high potential, though who knows if any of them will be able to reach their insanely high expectations. If any of them can, it is likely that they will be taking home the NBA Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season. Here we are going to take a look at four players with the best odds at winning this award.

Cade Cunningham

The number one overall selection in the draft is rightfully the leading favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award. He should immediately make an impact on a Detroit Pistons team that is desperate for a franchise turnaround. If he ends up being a fraction of what everybody expects him to be, the numbers will follow him. The only roadblock that stands in his way is the Pistons other young point guard Killian Hayes. In the Summer League, we saw Cade play off-ball with Hayes playing on-ball. If this continues throughout the season, Cade could see his numbers go a little under our expectations.

Jalen Green

Jalen Green was drafted to the Houston Rockets with the second overall pick, right after Cunningham. The 6’6” forward has insane potential when it comes to scoring. Not only did he improve drastically during his time with the G-League, but he has flashed his superstar potential early on in the Summer League. However, he is in a difficult position much like Cunningham. Green is going to be playing alongside John Wall, Eric Gordon and Christian Wood, three guys who are going to eat up the minutes and could take up some of his. He should get some looks with his friend Kevin Porter Jr. but is going to have to work his way up the rotation.

Evan Mobley

Evan Mobley is arguably the best center in this years draft. He has scoring ability and potential to become an elite defensive anchor for any team that needs him. The only issue is that he was drafted to the Cleveland Cavaliers, a roster that just resigned Jarrett Allen to a massive five-year deal. Those two centers on the same court wouldn’t end up working too well together as it would likely just cause a log jam in the paint. Mobley also hasn’t looked terrific in the Summer League but should be better when playing with superior playmakers in Darius Garland and Collin Sexton.

Jalen Suggs

Jalen Suggs is unfortunately not the only rookie drafted to the Orlando Magic in the first round, but he still has a great shot at winning Rookie of the Year. Suggs displayed amazing leadership during his college year at Gonzaga and already showed that in the Summer League. He was hitting big time shots and even put together a couple of excellent defensive highlights. Suggs has all the intangibles you could ever want out of a franchise point guard; the only issue is that this roster is full of young guards. Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz and R.J. Hampton just to name a few of them.