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Barrett, Morant, Hachimura, White & Herro All See ROY Odds Shorten With Zion Out

Angelo Montilla

by Angelo Montilla in NBA Basketball

Updated Apr 7, 2020 · 4:07 PM PDT

RJ Barrett
Knicks fans are expecting big things from RJ Barrett during his rookie season. Photo by @nypost (Twitter).
  • Ja Morant is now the +200 favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year
  • Rui Hachimura odds go from +2800 to +700 following Zion surgery
  • Barrett, who is listed at +500, could become the first Canadian to win the award

Zion Williamson’s knee injury had a ripple effect on several opening betting lines Tuesday, including the NBA Rookie of the Year odds.

The 2019 first overall pick played in the preseason but missed New Orleans’ final exhibition when soreness in his knee persisted. Williamson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, sidelining the Pelicans star for a 6-to-8 week timeframe.

Oddsmakers released updated NBA Rookie of the Year odds, which shows Williamson dropping from the odds-on favorite to +300.

With Zion likely out of rookie of the year contention for the foreseeable future, which NBA freshman can make the jump and win the award in 2020?

2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

Player Team Odds
Ja Morant Memphis Grizzlies +200
Zion Williamson New Orleans Pelicans +300
RJ Barrett New York Knicks +500
Rui Hachimura Washington Wizards +700
Coby White Chicago Bulls +800
Tyler Herro Miami Heat +1200
Darius Garland Cleveland Cavaliers +2000
Michael Porter Jr. Denver Nuggets +2000
De’Andre Hunter Atlanta Hawks +2500
Jarrett Culver Minnesota Timberwolves +2500

Odds taken October 22nd

When the odds opened in June, Zion was the runaway favorite at -200. Those lines held firm until October when Williamson’s odds began to slightly dip, going from -150 to -140. When news about Zion’s lengthy recovery from surgery surfaced, the odds plummeted to +300.

While Williamson could very well return and regain favorite status, here are five other players that saw their odds improve and could emerge as the favorite to win the award.

Ja Morant Set for Big Year in Memphis

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, who was selected second overall after Zion in the 2019 NBA draft, is now the +200 favorite. Morant has been the second favorite after Zion since the odds opened on June 21.

After opening at +400, Morant’s odds were +330 prior to Williamson’s injury.

Morant has showed flashes of brilliance early on, closing out the preseason schedule with 16 points, six assists and five rebounds. The Grizzlies will likely be a playoff bubble team in the Western Conference and Morant will have a huge role on the floor this season.

Can Barrett be Knicks Savior?

Williamson’s former Duke teammate RJ Barrett enters his first season in the NBA with high expectations. The spotlight will shine even brighter on Barrett considering he’s playing in the Big Apple.

Barrett will be a popular pick for Rookie of the Year based on raw talent alone. The forward comes in at an enticing +500, a wager that looks good at this point of the season.

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If Barrett can solve what’s been ailing the Knicks over the last 10-plus seasons and guide New York to its first playoff appearance since 2012-13, his ROY stock will soar.

Hachimura the Lone Bright Spot in DC

Rui Hachimura was not listed until the second round of odds opened on July 3. That is when the Washington Wizards prospect opened at +4000.

Hachimura saw his odds improve over time, shortening to +2900 before settling on the current price of +700.

Unlike some of his fellow rookie of the year candidates, Hachimura is expected to start at power forward for Washington this season.

After missing the post-season with a 32-50 record last season, Hachimura will give the Wizards a much-needed boost offensively in 2019-20.

Chicago’s Coby

The point guard out of North Carolina — likely to start the season as the sixth man — is a tremendous shooter and playmaker that could be a difference-maker for the Bulls.

Coby White saw his NBA ROY odds shorten after news of Williamson’s injury broke. White opened as a +2000 long shot, but his odds have steadily improved as he now sits at +800.

The Bulls have lacked a true No. 1 point guard since trading Rose away, but White could be the next best thing.

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What’s the Best Bet?

This is expected to be one of the better rookie classes the NBA has seen in many years. Tyler Herro (+1200) of the Miami Heat and Darius Garland (+2000) of the Cleveland Cavaliers are two other players that saw their odds improve.

However, Barrett seems like a most seasoned player to win the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year.

It would mark the first time since the 1987-88 season that a New York Knick has won the award. Barrett, who is a Mississauga, Ont. native, could also become the first Canadian to capture NBA Rookie of the Year honors.

Pick: RJ Barrett (+500)

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