NBA Preseason Rookie of the Year Odds

Jalen Green - SG Houston Rockets 

It’s a bit of a surprise to see Jalen Green this high despite the news Cade Cunningham received in the off-season before the NBA draft. The thing that separates Green from most other players on this list is he was introduced to the NBA level of play, opting to skip college and play for the G-league Ignite team. Green should be able to step right into the Rockets lineup and provide points in a bunch.

Green's ability to play multiple positions should afford him plenty of court time and offer a ton of scoring opportunities as he should be the focal point of a rebuilding franchise. He should be one of the favorites heading into his rookie season to bring the home award. 

Jalen Green +250 

Cade Cunningham - PG Detroit Pistons 

The number one overall pick in last June’s draft offers plenty of upsides to being crowned in the ROY race. In a 10 year span, four of the last ten winners have been the number one overall pick. The tough news for Cunnigham is that the last three winners have been the second or third picks in their draft class. 

Cunningham is not much of a project as the consensus number one pick was chosen for his upside and ability to contribute right away to an NBA roster. Cunningham offers great court vision, scoring and his length at the point guard position allows him to play all over the floor. While there are a lot of guys with a better value to win ROY we could be talking about Cunningham as the favorite by midseason. 

Cade Cunningham +250 

Jalen Suggs - PG Orlando Magic 

It wouldn’t be a draft night without some surprises taking place and that’s what happened when the Toronto Raptors passed on Suggs and decided to take Scottie Barnes. Suggs couldn’t have found himself in a better situation to develop as the Magic are lacking in talent at the point guard position. Playing in Orlando allows him to man the offense with the potential to put up big numbers right out of the gate. 

Suggs biggest question mark coming out of college was how well his shot would translate to the next level. Over the course of the season, the answer to his shot-making should be answered but until then, fans will get to enjoy his playmaking ability and elite athleticism. 

Jalen Suggs +650

Evan Mobley - PF/C Cleveland Cavaliers 

Mobley enters the league as one of the most polished players with major upside and room to grow with his game. Mobley offers a great size and versatile skill set that should give him plenty of opportunity in the early going. The Cavaliers have a loaded frontcourt so Mobley has to share time with Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markannen and that could hurt him during the start of the season. 

Mobley is more of a sleeper to win this award but his overall skill set allows him to be a factor from day one and could change these odds sooner rather than later. 

Evan Mobley +900

Some other notables with a chance to win ROY: 

Scottie Barnes +1400 Toronto Raptors 

Josh Giddey +1600 Oklahoma City Thunder 

Davion Mitchell +2000 Sacramento Kings 

Chris Duarte +3000 Indiana Pacers