2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds – Who Are the Favorites?

There was a big surprise at the top of the NBA draft, as the Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero over Jabari Smith Jr. Everyone had Smith going No. 1 overall, but we heard the Magic were leaning towards Banchero in the hours leading up to the draft.

How will those picks affect the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year odds? Typically, the No. 1 pick opens as the favorite. We know there will be more candidates than Banchero and Smith.

BetOnline gives us the odds for NBA Rookie of the Year.

It’s interesting to see the dynamic of the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year odds. There’s no surprise seeing Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith Jr., and Chet Holmgren at the top. We start exploring the value outside the top five.

Ochai Agbaji has the best odds among the players that went outside the top 10. Meanwhile, No. 7 pick Shaedon Sharpe has (+2800) odds. That goes to show the odds don’t follow the draft order.

Do you have Banchero as your Rookie of the Year prediction?

The 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year odds are in Paolo Banchero’s favor after the Orlando Magic selected him with the No. 1 overall pick. It helps to be the No. 1 pick, but his path to Rookie of the Year is better with the Magic.

Banchero gives the Magic an aggressive player at the forward position. The biggest downside to his game against Jabari Smith Jr. was his three-point shooting. However, Banchero has the advantage of being an aggressive scorer.

The 2022 Number 1⃣ overall pick, Paolo Banchero 📸 pic.twitter.com/FPiHS20w4h

— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 24, 2022

We expected Banchero to head to the Houston Rockets, but he would’ve been the third option behind Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. In Orlando, he should be the top scoring threat from day one.

Banchero was the star player on a Duke team that qualified for the Final Four. He averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. He’s not a great defender, but I’ve never heard of someone losing Rookie of the Year because of poor defense.

Orlando likely won’t compete for a playoff spot, so Banchero should become the focal point of their offense. That’s why the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year odds have him as the favorite.

Paolo Banchero was the No. 1 pick, but you don’t win NBA Rookie of the Year on draft night. Let’s talk about his top challengers.

I’m not sure we’ll see a player enter the league more motivated than Jabari Smith Jr. He expected to be the No. 1 pick, but he fell to the Houston Rockets. There’s a massive chip on his shoulder as he aims to prove the Orlando Magic wrong.

Smith has the ideal size and skill set for a modern NBA player. He is a 6’10” forward with solid ball-handling and elite three-point shooting.

He knocked down 42.0 percent of his three-pointers. That shooting will be a significant factor in his Rookie of the Year hopes. Smith might not be the focal point for the Rockets, but he should contend for Rookie of the Year.

Chet Holmgren was the most intriguing prospect in the 2022 NBA draft. The 7’0” center can handle the ball and knock down three-pointers. His 195-pound frame isn’t ideal for a center, but his length makes up for it.

Check out his numbers at Gonzaga.

He should see significant minutes for the Oklahoma City Thunder. His size and skill set will make him a popular pick for Rookie of the Year. His 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year odds have him as a top contender.

Are you backing one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year, or are you looking for value? Bettors can make their final decision by visiting the best NBA sportsbooks.