by Ben Perks
With only six weeks of the NBA regular season left, Vegas oddsmakers have made Evan Mobley a hot -550 favorite to win the Rookie of the Year (ROTY) Award. Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, and Josh Giddey are joint second favorites at +1000, meaning that most NBA betting sites think the race is all but over. However, there are still 20 games to play, so there could be some final twists and turns before the ROTY is announced after the NBA Finals.
2022 NBA ROTY – Key Info
- LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets won NBA ROTY in 2021
- Evan Mobley is a -550 favorite to win ROTY in 2022
- The winner is announced after the NBA Finals
- A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters in the US and Canada vote to decide who will be NBA ROTY
2022 NBA Rookie of the Year Award Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Evan Mobley | -550 |
| Cade Cunningham | +1000 |
| Scottie Barnes | +1000 |
| Josh Giddey | +1000 |
| Fraz Wagner | +2200 |
| Ayo Dosunmu | +5000 |
| Chris Duarte | +8000 |
Evan Mobley
Mobley was the opening favorite (+500) to win NBA Rookie of the Year and has more than lived up to the preseason hype. The Cavaliers player is averaging 14.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
Although there were no questions surrounding his talent, many thought he would struggle to get game time given Cleveland’s crowded frontcourt. But his performances on court have led him to secure 34.1 minutes of playing time per game. In reality, the only thing that could derail his march to ROTY is injury. The 20-year-old had to sit out a few games in 2021 after spraining his elbow and has had hip problems. However, he hasn’t missed any matchups this year. Moreover, as he’s so young, he should be able to stay healthy for the rest of the season.
So if you’re searching for a solid futures bet, placing action on Mobley looks like your best option.
Cade Cunningham
As four of the last ten ROTY winners were first overall selections in the NBA draft (Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins), the stats are in Cade Cunningham’s favor. Yet, before betting on Cunningham to win ROTY, be aware that the last three winners were either the second or third players selected. Yet unlike drafts before, Cunningham was the consensus No. 1 overall pick last year.
Although he’s tied with two other players as the second favorite to win ROTY, the Pistons player is arguably the biggest threat to Mobley. The Texan’s adaptability and size have made him an extremely valuable asset to Detroit’s rebuilding plan. After 44 games, he is averaging 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. What’s more, he got his second triple-double of the season on January 30 against Cleveland. So why do top sportsbooks have him at +1000 to win Rookie of the Year?
One reason for this – along with Mobley’s stellar form – is that Cunningham has fewer game-time minutes (31.8 per game) than other contenders. Also, as his team is undergoing a major rebuild, they haven’t been one of the top franchises in the league – Detroit currently ranks 29th in the NBA with a poor 13-45 record. Therefore, if this youngster wants to get the honors this year, he will have to do something special to turn around the Piston’s abysmal season.
Scottie Barnes
The Raptors forward leads the top four ROTY contenders for minutes played with 36.1. Scottie Barnes has used the extra time to average 14.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He’s also been excellent in defense, often successfully guarding the best players in the NBA.
In fact, Barnes’ impressive versatility led to Vegas oddsmakers placing him as the ROTY favorite a few months ago. Like the Cavs, the Raptors are another surprise package, and if they can continue exceeding expectations, this rookie looks like a decent ROTY bet at +1000.
Josh Giddey
No one expected Giddey to be in the conversation for ROTY, but here he is. The Australian is averaging 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in 31.5 minutes of action for Oklahoma City. His displays on court have led him to win the last three Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards.
The 19-year-old currently ranks 14th in the NBA in assists (339) and eighth with four triple-doubles, including three in his last three games – an impressive feat for a superstar player, never mind a rookie. If Giddey keeps putting up his numbers, expect his odds to shorten. However, he will need to reach another level to pip Mobley to ROTY.
Ben is a sports journalist & part-time trader with a passion for finding +EV bets. Ben lives in Madrid, Spain where he enjoys the live poker scene, and sunshine where he covers UFC, MLB, NHL, NBA, as well as tennis betting.
