Paolo Banchero’s status as the No. 1 overall pick might’ve been in question leading up to Thursday’s NBA Draft, but never was his talent. The Orlando Magic first-rounder opened Friday as the betting favorite to win the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year at +300 odds on Tipico Sportsbook.
The players that follow don’t all fall in the order they were drafted, however. No. 3 pick Jabari Smith has the second-shortest odds at +350, followed by No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren at +400. No. 5 Jaden Ivey (+500) and No. 4 Keegan Murray (+750) round out the top five before the odds start to lengthen out a little more.
2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
If the betting drama leading into the draft is any indication, it’s hard to consider any of these guys a sure bet. But it should make for a thrilling finish that goes to the end of the season.