NBA Rookie Of The Year Handicapping
Betting on the 2025/26 NBA Rookie of the Year Futures Odds isn’t just about scouting talent — it’s about projecting opportunity, system fit, and media buzz. Sure, Cooper Flagg’s already soaking up all the spotlight — and the books aren’t exactly subtle about making him the clear front-runner.
But this thing’s far from over. Every year we get a surprise riser, and with a deep rookie class full of gunners, glue guys, and green lights, this race is going to have some real twists. So who’s ready to pop right out of the gate?
More importantly, who’s got the right mix of minutes, touches, and narrative to actually win this thing?
Let’s break down the field and find where the value hides.
ROTY History
Back in the 1980s, the Rookie Of The Year award often went to players who made an immediate splash on both ends — guys like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan set the tone early.
During the ’90s, the league leaned heavily into athleticism and scoring volume, with winners like Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson dominating the spotlight.
By the 2000s, versatility and polish became more valued, as players like LeBron James and Chris Paul earned the honor by impacting the game in every phase.
Past NBA Rookie of the Year Winners
The NBA Rookie of the Year award is one of the most exciting futures to track — because rookies don’t just bring new blood to the league, they often bring instant impact. Just look at the last few winners: from Victor Wembanyama’s towering takeover in 2023–24 to Stephon Castle’s electric rise with the Spurs last season, opportunity and usage often trump raw draft hype.
Historically, the award has been handed to players who not only posted strong stats but also helped elevate their teams. Whether it was Luka Dončić lighting up the scoreboard, Malcolm Brogdon’s efficiency, or LaMelo Ball’s flair — narrative and numbers go hand-in-hand.
Notably, most winners were lottery picks, but there are exceptions — and as recent history shows, it doesn’t always take a No. 1 overall selection to win this race.
Top 10 NBA Rookie of the Year Winners – Last Decade
- 2015–16 – Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- 2016–17 – Malcolm Brogdon (Milwaukee Bucks)
- 2017–18 – Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
- 2018–19 – Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks)
- 2019–20 – Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
- 2020–21 – LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets)
- 2021–22 – Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
- 2022–23 – Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
- 2023–24 – Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
- 2024–25 – Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs)
NBA Rookie Of The Year 2025-26 Odds | NBA Futures
- Cooper Flagg -170
- Tre Johnson +950
- VJ Edgecombe +1000
- Dylan Harper +1000
- Ace Bailey +1100
- Nolan Traore +2000
- Jeremiah Fears +3500
- Kon Knueppel +3500
- Nique Clifford +4000
- Derik Queen +5000
- Walter Clayton Jr. +6000
- Cedric Coward +6000
- Egor Demin +7500
- Kasparas Jakucionis +7500
- Collin Murray-Boyles +10000
- Nikola Topic +100000
- Noa Essengue +12000
- Jase Richardson +15000
- Khaman Maluach +15000
- Danny Wolf +15000
- Hansen Yang +15000
- Will Riley +20000
- Liam McNeeley +20000
- Asa Newell +20000
- Thomas Sorber +20000
- NBA Rookie Of The Year odds provided by MyBookie
NBA Rookie Of The Year Futures – 2025-26
The Rookie Of The Year race for the 2025-26 NBA season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With top-tier prospects stepping into immediate roles, there’s real betting value if you can read the fit, the opportunity, and the buzz.
Let’s break down some of the top contenders and what makes each one worth watching.
Cooper Flagg 2025/26 NBA Rookie Of The Year Future Betting Odds
To no one’s surprise, Cooper Flagg enters the season as the early favorite to win NBA Rookie Of The Year honors. The No. 1 overall pick landed with the Dallas Mavericks and is expected to carry a big load offensively while Kyrie Irving misses time.
As a freshman at Duke, Flagg led the team in virtually every major stat and took home both ACC and National Player of the Year.
That level of production — plus his two-way upside — gives him the kind of narrative and media attention this award often tracks.
Even though he shot just 5-for-21 in his Summer League debut, Flagg bounced back quickly. In his second game, he was dominant on both ends, controlling the pace, creating for others, and flashing that signature versatility.
In fact, he was so impactful that Dallas shut him down early to avoid injury risk.
Given how often the No. 1 pick wins this award (four of the last 10 seasons), Flagg’s current odds make sense. If he stays healthy, he’ll have every opportunity — and all the media spotlight — to run away with it.
Tre Johnson 2025/26 NBA Rookie Of The Year Future Betting Odds
Meanwhile, Tre Johnson is lurking as a major value play. Despite being drafted sixth overall, he steps into one of the best usage situations of any rookie. Washington is rebuilding, and Johnson will likely have the green light to create and score.
Importantly, Johnson’s efficiency in Summer League (58.3% shooting and 5-of-11 from deep) shows he can handle the spotlight and the reps. He already looks like one of the most NBA-ready scorers in this class.
So while Flagg may get the attention, Johnson’s raw output could be just as impressive — and that matters for Rookie Of The Year voters.
VJ Edgecombe 2025 – 2026 NBA Rookie Of The Year Future Betting Odds
On the other hand, VJ Edgecombe is a bit of a wild card. He only suited up for one Summer League game due to a wrist/thumb injury, but when he did play, he put on a show — 28 points, 10 boards, and 4 assists.
Still, the presence of Tyrese Maxey in the Sixers’ backcourt could limit Edgecombe’s touches. As a result, he may not get the volume needed to win over award voters, no matter how explosive he looks in spurts.
Dylan Harper
Now if you’re looking for a name bettors have already circled, it’s Dylan Harper. Taken No. 2 overall by the Spurs, Harper’s odds have seen plenty of early action — and for good reason. He’s an explosive combo guard joining a talented, rising team.
However, because San Antonio is deep with young talent, Harper may not get the kind of full-season usage rate we typically see from past Rookie Of The Year winners.
That’s not to say he can’t make a run, but the margin for error will be slim.
Ace Bailey
Finally, there’s Ace Bailey. On paper, he checks a lot of the boxes: big minutes, a rebuilding team, and natural scoring talent. Unfortunately, his pre-draft process and early Summer League play left a lot to be desired.
Yes, there’s still time for him to flip the narrative — and yes, the talent is real. But until we see more consistency, Bailey is a tough sell in the Rookie Of The Year market at his current odds.
Bet On NBA Rookie Futures Early
There’s one major edge bettors can grab with NBA Rookie of the Year props — timing. Before Summer League, training camp buzz, and preseason highlight reels shake up the market, you can grab value at the earliest stages.
Therefore, if you believe in the fit, the role, and the opportunity — locking in your pick early gives you a shot at beating the steam. Additionally, early bettors often get better odds before sportsbooks adjust to hype and injuries.
Where To Bet NBA Rookie Futures
When it comes to betting NBA futures like Rookie of the Year, MyBookie is one of the best sportsbooks out there. They offer sharp early lines, deep futures markets, and regular odds boosts during the NBA season.
Whether you’re backing a top pick like Cooper Flagg or hunting for a dark horse, MyBookie has you covered.
Get your NBA Rookie of the Year bets in now at MyBookie and lock in the best value before it moves.
Best NBA Basketball Sportsbooks For 2025
- VIP Program
- Mobile Betting
- Crypto
- Early Lines
- High Limits
- NEW VIP Rewards
- VIP Program
- Crypto
- Live & Mobile Betting!
- Crypto
- Live & Mobile Betting
- 48 Hour Payouts
- 35% Crypto Bonus
- Live Betting
- Mobile Friendly
NBA Tweet Of The Day
From top player to top pick ⚡️ @Cooper_Flagg is the newest star in Dallas. pic.twitter.com/y9w1t2IxdK
— Gatorade (@Gatorade) June 26, 2025
Final Thoughts – NBA Rookie of the Year
This race may look like Flagg’s to lose on paper — however, plenty of sharp bettors know value lives in the chaos.
Longshots like Egor Demin (+7500) or Collin Murray-Boyles (+10000) might not be household names yet, but one hot stretch could flip the board.
The key? Volume, highlights, and media love. Ultimately, that’s how underdogs become ROY contenders.
NBA Futures Betting
NBA futures allow you to stake your claim early — whether it’s MVP, 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year, or team win totals. A $300 bet on a +1000 rookie cashes $3,300 — that’s $3,000 in profit plus your original bet.
Some more NBA Basketball Futures Posts
- 2026 NBA Finals Future Betting Odds
- 2025 – 2026 Eastern Conference Futures
- 2025 – 2026 Western Conference Futures
- 2025 – 2026 NBA Win Total Betting Odds (Over/Unders)
- 2026 NBA MVP Odds | Futures
To summarize, we don’t just cover NBA ROTY on our handicapping site. We’ll be providing 4* free NBA plays on the blog all season long.
Check out our experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA Basketball picks!
Lastly, register here for a FREE Basketball Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers! Please check out our LINKTR.EE!
