The NBA’s most impressive rookie has been Jared McCain, who averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 25.7 minutes per game before suffering a meniscus tear in his left knee.
While McCain is sidelined indefinitely, the 65-game rule to qualify for end-of-season awards doesn’t apply to Rookie of the Year or All-Rookie teams. Regardless, only playing 23 games before being ruled out indefinitely makes it challenging to keep him in the mix with other candidates.
Before the rest of the league resumes after the NBA Cup Final, let’s look at the players with the top odds on DraftKings Sportsbook to win the Rookie of the Year award.
Stephon Castle (+140)
After initially finding his footing in the NBA, Stephon Castle has reached a significant rhythm—emerging as the current front-runner to win the Rookie of the Year award. Since November 4, he’s averaged 13.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 19 games. He’s continued to embrace learning from Chris Paul while stepping up with injuries to Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan throughout the early part of the season. He ranks second in scoring (11.7) and assists (3.9) in this rookie class.
Dalton Knecht (+350)
After back-to-back 20-point games in late November, Dalton Knecht has only scored double figures once in seven games. During his cold streak, he has had five games without making a three-pointer and is shooting 3-of-26 (11.5%) from beyond the arc. He’s been losing momentum, but regardless, he’s averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 23.6 minutes per game. He’s fallen out of the top five on mainstream Rookie of the Year ladders for now.
Yves Missi (+350)
It’s been a disastrous season for the Pelicans, but Yves Missi has been one of the clear bright spots. He’s emerged as the starting center for the future, averaging 9.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 25.7 minutes per game. He’s shown plenty of flashes as an athletic interior finisher and rim protector, which is among the organization’s needs in recent years. Missi should continue to have a significant opportunity to showcase his talent as the team goes through a rough season marred by injuries.
Zaccharie Risacher (+1100)
The expectations are high for the No. 1 overall pick, but Zaccharie Risacher put together some very impressive performances to live up to that hype. His 33-point performance against the Knicks in early November showcased his potential. Despite that outburst, he’s only averaging 10.9 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 39.9% from the floor, 27.4% from deep, and 68.2% from the free throw line in 27 games. Going beyond the box score, he’s enhanced the Hawks’ defense and has been a full-time starter. There’s a lot to like about his long-term potential.
Zach Edey (+1600)
Injuries have impacted Zach Edey’s outlook in the race after having early momentum as the preseason Rookie of the Year favorite. He did return on December 15 after being sidelined for nearly a month and delivered an efficient 13 points and 10 rebounds on the road against the Lakers. Considering he’s averaging 11.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 20.4 minutes per game, doing what he’s already shown capable of while staying healthy will naturally help his case.
Alexandre Sarr (+2200)
The expectations remain high for Alexander Sarr, and he’s shown clear improvement as the season progresses, averaging 10.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 22 games. With the help of Jonas Valanciunas’ veteran mentorship, Sarr has continued to improve throughout the early portion of the season. His defensive versatility has been apparent, but continued refinement of his offensive game would help increase his outlook in this race.
Jaylen Wells (+3000)
Coming off winning Western Conference Rookie of the Month, Jaylen Wells has established a strong foundation for his career. He’s averaged 11.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists this season. He’s embraced guarding top matchups and is shooting an efficient 45.5% from the floor, 39.0% from beyond the arc, and 80.9% from the free throw line. Wells doesn’t have a flashy game, but he gets the job done on both ends for the Grizzlies, one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
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