Bet on NBA Rookie of the Year 2026/27
By Dean Etheridge,
The NBA Rookie of the Year award is an annual honor given to the top first-year regular season player.
Each year, the NBA Rookie of the Year odds are released, including a list of the top candidates to win the honor based on their first NBA regular-season. These odds are a futures market and typically open with all players at plus money. This market can be bet on currently.
We compare sportsbooks before betting because NBA ROY betting odds can vary between operators. Prices can move after the NBA Draft and throughout Summer League, preseason, and the regular season based on team role, playing time, injuries, usage rate, and player performance.
Below, we compare the latest favorites, contenders, longshots, important dates, and sportsbooks offering 2026/27 NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
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With the NBA being one of the most popular professional sports to bet on, many online sportsbooks offer Rookie of the Year odds alongside their other NBA futures betting markets.
We recommend first checking that a sportsbook offers the 2026/27 NBA Rookie of the Year market. Some operators publish odds shortly after the NBA Draft, while others may add more players as Summer League, training camp, and preseason provide a clearer picture of each rookie’s role.
Mobile access can make it easier to compare and place NBA futures bets without visiting a retail sportsbook. Some sites also accept cryptocurrency, although available deposit methods, withdrawal rules, and account-verification requirements vary between operators.
It is always a good idea to read our online sportsbook reviews before choosing a site. Some sportsbooks have better mobile software, bonuses, payment options, and NBA betting coverage than others. Bovada, BetOnline, and BetUS are among the operators listed above, but bettors should confirm that the Rookie of the Year market and their preferred payment method are available before depositing.
We also recommend comparing the same player across several sportsbooks because NBA Rookie of the Year odds can differ. A player priced at +300 with one operator and +350 with another produces a larger potential return at the longer price, even though the wager is otherwise identical.
Bonuses can add value, but bettors should check the terms before claiming one. Pay attention to rollover requirements, eligible markets, minimum odds, expiration dates, and whether a futures wager will count toward the promotion.
NBA Rookie of the Year prices can move after the NBA Draft, during Summer League and preseason, and once the regular season begins. Strong performances, injuries, changes in playing time, or a clearer path to a starting role can all shorten or lengthen a rookie’s odds.
We recommend betting responsibly and choosing a sportsbook based on its current ROY prices, NBA futures coverage, mobile experience, payment options, and bonus terms rather than selecting a site on the size of its advertised promotion alone.
NBA Rookie of the Year odds 2026/27
The odds to win the 2026/27 NBA Rookie of the Year award are available. These betting lines are subject to change based on team role, playing time, injuries, Summer League and preseason performances, and regular-season production, so keep checking back with us for the latest odds.
| 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year Numbers |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Boozer | +275 | +275 | +300 |
| Darryn Peterson | +275 | +300 | +300 |
| AJ Dybantsa | +400 | +400 | +425 |
| Caleb Wilson | +500 | +500 | +450 |
| Darius Acuff | +750 | +800 | +900 |
| Mikel Brown | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | +2000 | +2000 | +2500 |
| Keaton Wagler | +2500 | +3000 | +3000 |
Last updated on: August 11, 2026
No one should be too surprised by some of the early choices. If it feels like the lottery picks take over early, that is 100% true. As the season rolls along, expect the NBA ROY numbers to evolve and take shape. At some point, we may see some longer shots take their moment(s) in the sun.
When it comes to the latest NBA futures, it is recommended to check back often. Pages will be updated more and more often as late October approaches. Thankfully, with the NBA draft behind us, and the summer leagues ongoing, there is more to talk about and wager on.
Do watch usage rate on some of the top picks and expect that to potentially change again when the NBA preseason begins in October. Also, be mindful of injuries that can happen at any time from now to training camp to the season itself. Rookies have to play a minimum of 65 games to qualify to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
This is something to pay attention to almost as much as player performance at times. Yes, it does seem a lot to be aware of but game requirements play into such decision-making as far as wagers. Some college players just cannot adjust from playing 35-40 games to 65+. Others seem to thrive when facing such adversity.
Finally, that is why March and early April often become that final important window. A player can vault himself into the conversation and potentially snag the Rookie of the Year NBA award in the clutch.
NBA Rookie of the Year Favorites and Contenders
Given the trend toward Top 5 picks winning the NBA Rookie of the Year, including recent first overall picks such as Cooper Flagg, it is not a surprise that two of the top three picks from the 2026 NBA Draft lead the early odds. However, the contenders and longshots still offer several options across the futures market.
NBA Rookie of the Year favorites
NBA Rookie of the Year contenders
NBA Rookie of the Year longshot
Yes, the NBA season is still a few months away, but the NBA Rookie of the Year odds already have their favorites. Two players stand out early, and neither is the first overall pick from the 2026 NBA Draft. Cameron Boozer of Duke and Darryn Peterson of Kansas currently top the odds board at around +275 to +300.
As always, those prices can change. One of the main reasons Boozer tops the list is his pedigree. Boozer is the son of Carlos Boozer, and both played at Duke. The elder Boozer was a two-time NBA All-Star who also won an Olympic gold medal in 2008. The younger Boozer was drafted third by the Memphis Grizzlies after averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
Boozer joins a Memphis team that finished 25-57 in 2025/26. In Summer League action, the power forward averaged 17.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while helping Memphis reach the championship game. His expected role and early production are major reasons why he tops our list.
Peterson is a shooting guard who is not afraid to take his shot. The former Kansas player averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds as a Jayhawk in 2025/26.
One concern is Peterson’s shot selection, which helps explain why his odds sit slightly behind Boozer at around +300. He averaged 23 points per game in Summer League action but shot 39.8% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range.
AJ Dybantsa, priced at around +400 to +425, was the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards believe they have a forward who can play either the three or four position. Dybantsa averaged 25.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists at BYU, although the health and quality of the talent around him could affect his early role and production.
Caleb Wilson and Darius Acuff fall further into the risk-and-reward category. Wilson averaged nearly 20 points per game at North Carolina and scored 35 points in a Summer League game in Las Vegas. At 6-foot-9 and 211 pounds, he is leaner than many NBA power forwards, but current projections suggest he has a path to a starting role.
Sacramento selected Acuff seventh overall. He averaged 25.5 points and 6.4 assists per game as a guard last season and projects as a potential starting point guard. Acuff also averaged 20.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in Summer League, although he shot only 35% from the field.
Yaxel Lendeborg remains available at around +2000 to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Mikel Brown and Keaton Wagler could also emerge as longshots, but Lendeborg strengthened his case with an impressive Summer League.
Lendeborg’s immediate challenge will be earning a consistent role in Golden State’s experienced frontcourt. His performance during training camp and preseason should provide a clearer indication of his expected minutes and place in the rotation.
Wagler also made a positive early impression during Summer League. The former Illinois guard could improve his chances of earning a role with the Los Angeles Clippers if that form continues through training camp and preseason.
Lendeborg averaged 14.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across six Summer League appearances with Golden State. The forward also produced 21 points and 10 rebounds in the championship game and was named Summer League MVP.
Important dates of the 2026/27 NBA Rookie of the Year race
The best opportunities to find value in NBA Rookie of the Year betting can appear at several points during the season. From the NBA Draft through the official award announcement, team roles, playing time, injuries, and rookie performances can all move NBA ROY betting odds.
| Event | Expected Date/Timing | Why It Matters for ROY Odds |
|---|---|---|
| NBA Draft | June 23-24, 2026 | The draft is the starting point for NBA Rookie of the Year betting. Draft position, team fit, projected playing time, and the path to a starting role can immediately affect early odds. |
| NBA Summer League | July 2026 | Summer League provides an early look at the incoming rookie class. Strong performances can shorten a player’s odds, although bettors should be careful not to overreact to a small sample. |
| NBA Preseason | Early to mid-October 2026 | Coaches test rotations, lineups, and player roles. We can use preseason minutes and usage to identify rookies who may earn a starting job or a larger early-season role. |
| Regular-Season Tip-Off | Expected late October 2026 | The Rookie of the Year race officially begins. Early production, minutes, usage rate, and team results can quickly move NBA ROY betting odds. |
| Early-Season Sample | November to early December 2026 | The first several weeks provide a more reliable picture of each rookie’s role. This is often when the market begins separating regular starters from players receiving limited minutes. |
| Christmas Day Games | December 25, 2026 | A strong performance in a nationally televised game can increase media attention and betting interest, although one game should not outweigh a player’s full body of work. |
| NBA All-Star Weekend | February 19-21, 2027 | The All-Star break provides a useful point to compare the leading rookies based on production, efficiency, availability, team role, and consistency. |
| End of Regular Season | Expected April 2027 | Final statistics and late-season performances shape the closing market. Sportsbooks generally remove the market before voting and the official award announcement. |
| NBA Award Announcement | Expected late April 2027 | The winner is officially announced and eligible NBA Rookie of the Year futures wagers are settled. |
How to bet on 2026/27 NBA Rookie of the Year odds
Now that we have reviewed the odds board, you may want to place a wager on the 2026/27 NBA Rookie of the Year Award winner. It is a straightforward futures bet: choose the player you believe will win the award and confirm the wager at the sportsbook offering your preferred odds.
We recommend following these steps:
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Comparing sportsbooks is an important first step because the same player may be listed at different prices. After choosing a site, review its account, identity-verification, deposit, and withdrawal requirements before adding funds.
For example, a $50 wager at +300 would return $200 in total if it wins, including $150 in profit plus the original $50 stake. Always check the displayed odds, potential return, and stake in the bet slip before confirming the wager.
NBA Rookie of the Year futures settle only after the winner is officially announced. Sportsbooks may close or suspend the market before the end of the regular season, voting period, or award announcement, so check the operator’s cutoff and settlement rules before betting.
NBA Rookie of the Year futures explained
This popular betting type is called a futures wager. Futures are available in almost every professional and collegiate sport, with bettors wagering on an outcome that will be decided later. An NBA Rookie of the Year futures bet can be placed months or weeks before the award is announced, and the odds will move throughout the season.
We can sometimes find better value in NBA futures by betting before a player’s role and production are fully established. A rookie listed at +600 before the season would return more than the same player at +150 after a strong start, but the earlier wager also carries more uncertainty.
NBA Rookie of the Year odds can shorten or drift throughout the season. Playing time, injuries, team role, usage rate, efficiency, and regular-season production can all affect the price. Early bets can lock in longer odds, while waiting gives us more evidence before committing a stake.
Timing matters, but research is more important than simply betting early. We recommend comparing prices, checking projected roles, and deciding whether the potential return justifies the uncertainty before placing more than one futures wager.
NBA Rookie of the Year betting trends
Several trends regularly shape the NBA Rookie of the Year race. Draft position, playing time, scoring responsibility, team context, and late-season form can all influence a player’s chances and betting price.
- Draft position, including top-five and lottery picks
- Playing time and scoring role, from starters to sixth men
- Media narrative and team context
- Late-season form and availability
Draft position matters because highly selected rookies usually receive a clearer path to minutes and a larger role. Former Duke teammates Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel competed for the award in 2025/26 after being selected first and fourth overall, respectively.
Flagg strengthened his case with two high-scoring performances late in the regular season, while Knueppel remained in contention through his perimeter shooting and consistent production. Their race showed how draft status, season-long performance, and a strong finish can work together.
Malcolm Brogdon remains a useful exception to the usual draft-position trend. Milwaukee selected him 36th overall in the second round, and he started only 28 of his 75 appearances during his Rookie of the Year season.
Michael Carter-Williams was selected 11th overall before winning the award with Philadelphia. However, winners from outside the lottery remain less common than highly drafted players with immediate roles.
Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson are early 2026/27 favorites, and both were selected within the first three picks of the 2026 NBA Draft. Their prices reflect not only their draft positions but also the expectation that each will receive significant minutes and offensive responsibility.
Playing time and usage are often more important than draft position alone. A lower pick who earns a starting role and handles a large share of his team’s offense may offer more value than a top pick who begins the season with limited minutes.
Media coverage and team context can also affect public betting activity, especially when a rookie produces in nationally televised games. We still recommend prioritizing minutes, efficiency, availability, role, and season-long production over attention or short-term hype.
Past NBA Rookie of the Year award winners
| Season | Winner | Team |
| 2025-2026 | Cooper Flagg | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2024-2025 | Stephon Castle | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2023-2024 | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2022-2023 | Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic |
| 2021-2022 | Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors |
| 2020-2021 | LaMelo Ball | Charlotte Hornets |
| 2019-2020 | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2018-2019 | Luka Dončić | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2017-2018 | Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2016-2017 | Malcolm Brogdon | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2015-2016 | Karl-Anthony Towns | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2014-2015 | Andrew Wiggins | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2013-2014 | Michael Carter-Williams | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2012-2013 | Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2011-2012 | Kyrie Irving | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2010-2011 | Blake Griffin | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2009-2010 | Tyreke Evans | Sacramento Kings |
| 2008-2009 | Derrick Rose | Chicago Bulls |
| 2007-2008 | Kevin Durant | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 2006-2007 | Brandon Roy | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 2005-2006 | Chris Paul | New Orleans/Oklahoma City |
| 2004-2005 | Emeka Okafor | Charlotte Bobcats |
| 2003-2004 | LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2002-2003 | Amare Stoudemire | Phoenix Suns |
| 2001-2002 | Pau Gasol | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2000-2001 | Mike Miller | Orlando Magic |
| 1999-2000 | Elton Brand | Chicago Bulls |
| 1999-2000 | Steve Francis | Houston Rockets |
NBA Rookie of the Year winner notes
Cooper Flagg is the latest NBA Rookie of the Year winner, taking the 2025/26 award with the Dallas Mavericks. The table above lists every winner from the 1999/2000 season through 2025/26.
The last shared Rookie of the Year award came in 1999/2000, when Elton Brand of the Chicago Bulls and Steve Francis of the Houston Rockets finished as co-winners.
High draft picks appear regularly in the historical results, including Victor Wembanyama, Paolo Banchero, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Blake Griffin. However, the table also includes lower selections such as Malcolm Brogdon, who was drafted 36th overall before winning the 2016/17 award.
Historical winners can help us identify broad betting trends, but draft position alone does not determine the result. Playing time, production, availability, team role, and consistency across the regular season remain more useful indicators when comparing current NBA Rookie of the Year futures.
NBA Rookie of the Year 2026/27 FAQ
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