The 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year odds race is hitting the stretch run, and, well, it's that much of a race right now.
No. 1-overall pick Cooper Flagg remains the clear odds-on favorite, sitting at -400 (an implied probability of 80%), with Charlotte's Kon Knueppel — his teammate at Duke last season — the only other player within striking distance.
NBA Rookie of the Year odds
| Player |  |
|---|---|
 Cooper Flagg |
-400 |
 Kon Knueppel |
+290 |
 V.J. Edgecombe |
+2200 |
 Derik Queen |
+12500 |
 Cedric Coward |
+20000 |
| Jeremiah Fears |
+30000 |
 Dylan Harper |
+30000 |
 Ace Bailey |
+30000 |
 Tre Johnson |
+50000 |
Latest NBA Rookie of the Year betting splits
Highest ticket percentage
• V.J. Edgecombe 21.2%
• Kon Knueppel 13.5%
• Cooper Flagg 11.2%
Highest handle percentage
• V.J. Edgecombe 26.4%
• Kon Knueppel 21.6%
• Cooper Flagg 18.1%
Biggest liability
• V.J. Edgecombe
Data courtesy of BetMGM.
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NBA ROY betting trends
Here are some trends to keep in mind when betting on NBA Rookie of the Year:
- The No. 1 pick has won Rookie of the Year four times in the past 10 seasons.
- Bigs (PF/C) haven't had much success in ROY recently, with just four wins in the last 20 seasons.
- Only one ROY winner this century (Malcolm Brogdon, 36th, 2016) was drafted outside of the lottery.
- The Rookie of the Year has been drafted in the Top 5 in 16 of the past 20 seasons.
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NBA Rookie of the Year history
| Year | NBA ROY Winner | Opening Odds | Pick No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Stephon Castle | +1200 | 4 |
| 2023-24 | Victor Wembanyama | -145 | 1 |
| 2022-23 | Paolo Banchero | +200 | 1 |
| 2021-22 | Scottie Barnes | +1100 | 4 |
| 2020-21 | LaMelo Ball | +400 | 3 |
| 2019-20 | Ja Morant | +250 | 2 |
| 2018-19 | Luka Doncic | +250 | 3 |
| 2017-18 | Ben Simmons | +225 | 1 |
| 2016-17 | Malcolm Brogdon | N/A | 36 |
| 2015-16 | Karl-Anthony Towns | +450 | 1 |
| 2014-15 | Andrew Wiggins | +400 | 1 |
| 2013-14 | Michael Carter-Williams | +1200 | 11 |
| 2012-13 | Damian Lillard | +500 | 6 |
| 2011-12 | Kyrie Irving | +500 | 1 |
| 2010-11 | Blake Griffin | +200 | 1 |
| 2009-10 | Tyreke Evans | +700 | 4 |
| 2008-09 | Derrick Rose | +350 | 1 |
| 2007-08 | Kevin Durant | -200 | 2 |
| 2006-07 | Brandon Roy | +300 | 6 |
| 2005-06 | Chris Paul | N/A | 4 |
| 2004-05 | Emeka Okafor | N/A | 2 |
NBA Rookie of the Year odds FAQ
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is the odds-on favorite to win ROTY, followed by Charlotte's Kon Knueppel.
San Antonio's Stephon Castle won the 2024 NBA ROY.
The first overall pick has won ROY 22 times since 1953.
Yes, three times in fact. The award was shared by Elton Brand and Steve Francis (2000), Grant Hill and Jason Kidd (1995) and Dave Cowens and Geoff Petrie (1971).
No. 1-overall pick Cooper Flagg is currently -400 to win, which is an 80% implied probability.
