The first round of the NBA draft concluded on Tuesday, the 23rd, and sportsbooks were quick to release Rookie of the Year odds after seeing where the top prospects landed. While the draft played out about as expected at the top, the betting odds for the award are a bit surprising. It is also a much closer race than years past, where there is a clear-cut favorite. Last year, Cooper Flagg opened as a -225 favorite, with the next closest player landing at +850. This year, there are no players with negative odds to win, and 4 players are all within the +200 to +600 range.
Let’s take a look at these 4 players with the best odds on new and established betting apps to win NBA Rookie of the Year, and make their case of why they might come home with the award at the end of the 2026-27 season.
Cameron Boozer: +240
It may come as a surprise that the #3 overall pick opened as the favorite to win the award over the 2 players picked ahead of him. However, Boozer has a few things going for him that the number one pick doesn’t. On the Grizzlies, Boozer has very little competition. While Dybansta has two All-Stars to play with, Boozer will likely be the focal point of the Grizzlies from the start. Of course, there is Ja Morant, but he isn’t a score-first point guard.
Boozer also probably has the most NBA-ready game of the bunch and the highest immediate floor. While Dybantsa, Peterson, and Acuff Jr. all have more superstar potential, the Rookie of the Year award often goes to a player with a lower ceiling but a steadier game. Cameron Boozer doesn’t have the flashiness of the others on this list, but he stands out for a stellar basketball IQ and an extremely well-rounded skill set.
AJ Dybantsa: +300
AJ Dybantsa: +300
If the Rookie of the Year award simply went to the most talented player in the draft, Dybantsa would be the clear favorite. The concern isn’t his talent level, it’s his situation. Unlike Cameron Boozer, who should immediately become one of the primary options in Memphis, Dybantsa will have to share the spotlight with established stars in Washington. That said, there are plenty of reasons why sportsbooks have him just behind Boozer. Dybantsa is a naturally gifted scorer and has the physical tools to create his own offense from day one.
He also landed with a Wizards team that is trying to win now rather than fully rebuilding, which should give him meaningful minutes and plenty of opportunities to make an impact. Voters tend to reward rookies who contribute to winning teams, and Washington should be more competitive than many expect. The biggest question is whether Dybantsa can put up the volume stats needed to separate himself from the rest of this rookie class. If he does, his combination of scoring ability, athleticism, and highlight plays could make him the most difficult player on this list to beat for the award.
Darryn Peterson: +330
Peterson has a strong case to be the favorite based on pure scoring ability alone. The Jazz selected him to help transform an offense that lacked consistent firepower, and he should have every opportunity to become a featured piece from day one.
Rookie of the Year voters have historically favored players who put up big offensive numbers, and few players in this class are better equipped to do that than Peterson. He can score from all three levels and has the type of game that can produce highlight-reel performances throughout the season. While Cameron Boozer may have the safer all-around profile, Peterson arguably has the highest offensive ceiling of any rookie. The question is whether he can separate himself from a crowded field. Utah has other young guards who will handle the ball, and Peterson is still developing as a creator for others. Still, if he becomes the go-to scorer many expect, +330 could look generous by the end of the season.
Darius Acuff Jr.: +550
Acuff Jr. sits in a small tier below the top three in the odds, but there is a clear path for him to outperform that number. He jumps the 4th, 5th, and 6th players selected in ROTY odds, and for good reason. The Kings drafted him to address a major need at point guard, and he should have the ball in his hands plenty as a rookie. Unlike some young guards who need years to adjust, Acuff enters the league with a polished offensive game. He can create his own shot, set up teammates, and has already shown he can run an offense without forcing the action.
That combination gives him a chance to post the type of points and assists that typically generate Rookie of the Year buzz. The concern is on the defensive end, where his limitations could impact his playing time more than those of the other contenders on this list. Even so, voters tend to focus much more on offensive production than defensive impact. If Acuff quickly establishes himself as Sacramento’s point guard of the future, +550 could be the best value of the group.