Not all Rookie of the Year award winners are the same, for every Kevin Durant or Damian Lillard there’s a Michael Carter-Williams or Emeka Okafor. Heck, the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year – Memphis Grizzlies PG Ja Morant – wasn’t even the most-hyped rookie last season. That belongs to New Orleans Pelicans Zion Williamson.
Be that as it may, no one in the 2020 NBA Draft class comes in with nearly the same anticipation as Ja or Zion and the 2020-21 NBA season tips off on Tuesday. Below, we’ll make our picks and predictions for the NBA’s 2020-21 Rookie of the Year based on the betting odds at BetMGM.
2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year: Betting odds, picks and predictions
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 7:40 a.m. ET.
Favorite: LaMelo Ball, Hornets (+400)
Like it or not, Ball’s brother Lonzo and his loquacious father, LaVar, only bolster LaMelo’s profile heading into the season. There were pro-Zion Williamson for ROTY despite him only playing 24 games last year. So the hype thing can undoubtedly help an award case.
However, don’t sleep on LaMelo’s game, my network colleagues over at Lonzo Wire are excited about LaMelo’s preseason performance, and he has definitely been on the highlight reels in social media and TV. Furthermore, he’s one of the rare American draft picks who has played professional hoops already.
The most important facet of the pro-LaMelo case is his possible high usage rate. Charlotte Hornets free-agent signee SF Gordon Hayward is already dealing with an injury, and the 6-foot-7 Ball can be used in several positions. Outside of Hayward, it’s hard to find a Hornets player that keeps the rock out of Ball’s hand.
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Sleeper: Deni Avdija, Wizards (+1400)
Last year’s Washington team was seventh in both points per game and pace of play, and you’d figure both of those numbers would increase after trading John Wall for Russell Westbrook this offseason.
There’s going to be a lot of focus from opposing defenses on former MVP Westbrook. Multiple-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal, and 3-point specialist PF Davis Bertrans, could help space the floor nicely.
If Avdija can make the open looks he figures to get, he can make a name for himself. It also should help his case that the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference is very up for grabs, theoretically.
The Orlando Magic were an unimpressive seven games below .500, and if the Wizards can take that final spot in the East, it’ll only give a bigger spotlight to Avdija, who’s already projected to be a starter.
Long shot: Tyrese Haliburton, Kings (+1600)
The current NBA is so driven by long-distance shooting and getting to the foul line that it’s hard to think PG/SG Tyrese Haliburton‘s game won’t transition well into the pros. While at Iowa State last season, Haliburton shot 50.4% from the field, 41.9% from three and 82.2% from the charity stripe.
Additionally, Kings SG Buddy Hield has an on-again, off-again relationship with Sacramento’s front office and was dropped from the starting lineup by head coach Luke Walton.
Even more to the point of Haliburton getting some burn, SG Bogdan Bogdanović shot the second-most threes on the Kings last season and departed to the Atlanta Hawks this offseason. I.e. Haliburton should at least get a chance at extended minutes if he’s knocking down open shots this season.
Want some action on NBA futures? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Kings’ Tyrese Haliburton: It was a dream come true to play Stephen Curry (Rookie Wire)
- NBA GM Survey: How executives view the 2020-21 rookie class (Rookie Wire)
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