Updated Rookie of the Year Odds
The NBA Rookie of the Year chase looks to be largely decided in the eyes of the oddsmakers, but can a certain phenom make a late charge at the honor?
According to the latest oddsmakers, Ja Morant is the favorite to take home the award this season, as he is listed with -500 odds. Other short odds to win are Zion Williamson (+200), Kendrick Nunn (+2000) and Rui Hachimura (+2500).
Morant was the second pick in the NBA Draft last year. He has guided the Memphis Grizzlies to 28-26 record at the break, which puts them eighth in the West right now. Morant is averaging 17.6 points, 7.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from the arc and 78.3 percent from the line. The Grizzlies last had a Rookie of the Year in 2002, when Pau Gasol won the honor.
Zion was late to get his rookie season going after being the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft due to a knee injury. He has appeared in 10 games and is averaging 22.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Williamson shoots 57.6 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from the arc and 65.4 percent from the line. He has helped New Orleans make a push toward the playoffs. The Pelicans are 11th right now at 23-32, 5.5 games out of the eighth seed. New Orleans had a rookie of the year in 2006 when Chris Paul won as part of the New Orleans Hornets.
Kendrick Nunn is a surprise performer. He was undrafted, but has found a way to be a big contributor for Miami this season. Nunn is averaging 15.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this year. Nunn shoots 43.9 percent from the field, 34.1 percent from the arc and 82.9 percent from the line. Nunn and the Heat are fourth in the East right now at 35-19. The Miami Heat haven’t earned a Rookie of the Year.
Rui Hachimura was the ninth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He is averaging 13.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game for Washington this season. He shoots 48.7 percent from the field and 82.6 percent from the line. The 6-8 forward has Washington at 20-33 on the season, which is ninth in the East. The Wizards have never had the Rookie of the Year.