The betting markets are open for the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year and Cade Cunningham (+225 odds) and Jalen Green (+450) — the top two picks in the 2021 NBA Draft — are the betting favorites heading into next season.
Despite heavy rumors, the Detroit Pistons didn’t trade away the #1 pick and, instead, kept it to select Cunningham. Green, who played in the NBA G League last season, was the second pick in the draft by the Houston Rockets.
| 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds |
- Cade Cunningham +225
- Jalen Green +450
- Evan Mobley +550
- Jalen Suggs +850
- Scottie Barnes +850
- Davion Mitchell +1500
- James Bouknight +1800
- Alperen Sengun +1800
- Jonathan Kuminga +2000
- Josh Giddey +2500
- Jalen Johnson +3000
- Franz Wagner +3000
- Ayo Dosunmu +3000
- Corey Kispert +3000
- Keon Johnson +3500
- Chris Duarte +3500
- Tre Mann +4000
- Ziaire Williams +4000
- Jared Butler +4000
- Kai Jones +4500
- Isaiah Jackson +6000
- Trey Murphy +6000
- Miles McBride +6000
- Luka Garza +15000
LaMelo Ball won the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year after an outstanding season with the Charlotte Hornets. Ball, who was the third pick in the draft, edged out Anthony Edwards, who was the #1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Cunningham or Anyone in Top 6?
Cunningham, a standout playmaker from Oklahoma State, is the consensus favorite at +225 odds to win the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year. He’s trying to become the first #1 pick to win the Rookie of the Year since Ben Simmons did it in 2018.
In 2020, Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies edged out Zion Williamson, who was injured at the onset of his rookie season. Luka Doncic won the 2019 Rookie of the Year ahead of top pick Deandre Ayton. Since LeBron James won Rookie of the Year in 2004, the ROY winner was the sixth pick or higher 16 out of 18 times.
In 2014, Michael Carter-Williams won the ROY as the #11 pick. In 2017, Malcolm Brogdon won the rookie of the year as a second-rounder. If you use the top six picks as a barometer for selecting the potential Rookie of the Year, the 2021 draft class includes Cunningham, Green, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Suggs, and Josh Giddey.
Mobley, the first big man to get selected in the 2020 NBA Draft, is +550 odds to win Rookie of the Year with the Cleveland Cavs. The Toronto Raptors picked Barnes fourth overall and he’s +850 odds. Jalen Suggs went fifth overall to the Orlando Magic, and he’s also +850 odds to win ROY.
The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Josh Giddey with the sixth pick as a part of their rebuilding process. He’s got longer odds at +2500.
ROY Value Picks: Suggs, Mitchell, Butler, Giddey
We like Suggs as our value pick to win the 2022 Rookie of the Year. Although Gonzaga didn’t win March Madness, the tournament will be most remembered for Suggs’ 3-point buzzer-beater to knock out the Cinderella UCLA Bruins in overtime in the Final Four. With the Magic in rebuilding mode, Suggs should get a ton of playing time and ample opportunity to shine.
Keep an eye on the guards from Baylor, who won a national championship by beating Gonzaga in the finals, and ruining a perfect season from the Zags. The Sacramento Kings selected Davion Mitchell, who is +1500 odds to win Rookie of the year. Mitchell’s former backcourt mate, Jared Butler, is +4000 odds.
Giddey, at +2500 odds, also offers up great value among the first six picks. He should log significant playing time with the OKC Thunder next season. Other rookies to watch include Michigan’s Franz Wagner (+3000), Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu (+3000), Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert (+3000), and Oregon’s Chris Duarte (+3500).