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2019 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Make Way for Sexton and Knox

Ryan Murphy

by Ryan Murphy in NBA Basketball

Updated Jul 24, 2018 · 10:02 AM PDT

Kevin Knox drives to the basket.
Kentucky alum Kevin Knox was a revelation at NBA Summer League. Photo by Regina/acrphoto (flickr) [CC License].
  • Collin Sexton and Kevin Knox’s average odds to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award have improved thanks to their standout Summer League performances
  • Will Sexton make Cleveland fans forget about LeBron James?
  • Will Knox emerge as the steal of the draft?  

Collin Sexton and Kevin Knox were taken with the eighth and ninth picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, but they could finish first and second in Rookie of the Year voting. That was the consensus after this year’s Las Vegas Summer League as both players shined in Sin City.

Knox, who was drafted by the Knicks, averaged 21.3 points and finished first in scoring among all rookies. Sexton, who was selected by the Cavaliers, averaged 19.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per contest.

Bookmakers took notice of their standout performances and have adjusted their odds to win the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year award accordingly. Knox’s average odds have improved from 1600 on July 10th to 680 on July 23rd, and Sexton’s average odds have gone from 1100 to 730 during the same period.

 

Although both players surpassed expectations, it was Knox who impressed observers most. The 6’9” small forward displayed a polished touch from outside and punished smaller defenders with his aggressiveness play and physicality. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the court was especially evident in his 29-point, nine-rebound performance against the heavily favored Lakers.

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Knox will get all the playing time he can handle this season as the Knicks’ frontcourt is precariously thin. The team let Michael Beasley and Kyle O’Quinn walk in free agency and could be without the services of Kristaps Porzingis for the entirety of the 2018-19 season as he recovers from a torn left ACL.

Knox will get all the playing time he can handle this season as the Knicks’ frontcourt is precariously thin.

Sexton will also benefit from plenty of PT as the Cavaliers look for solutions following the departure of LeBron James. George Hill is still the team’s incumbent point guard, but the ten-year pro averaged just 9.2 points per game during the postseason and was a non factor against the Warriors.

It’s unlikely that Sexton would have fared much better against Steph Curry, but he at least has the speed and athleticism to give opposing guards fits. Sexton was often the fastest player on the court in Vegas, and his quickness and tenacity should translate well at the next level.

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Knox and Sexton’s splashy play also had an impact on the rest of the field as Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, and Marvin Bagley III all saw their average odds to win the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year award lengthen.

Player Team Average Odds
Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks +360
Deandre Ayton Phoenix Suns +440
Marvin Bagley III Sacramento Kings +680
Kevin Knox New York Knicks +680
Collin Sexton Cleveland Cavaliers +730

Doncic, despite all of his success in Europe, still remains something of a mystery as the Mavs opted to rest him during Summer League. Bagley’s own Summer League experience was also limited as the Duke big man suffered a bruised pelvic bone in his debut against the Suns and was held out for the remainder of the tournament as a precautionary measure.

Ayton got the best of Bagley during their heavily hyped game, but otherwise averaged just 14.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest.

Ayton, meanwhile, appeared in just four games with the Suns. He got the best of Bagley during their heavily hyped game, but otherwise averaged just 14.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest. Summer League tends to favor speedy guards and frenetic end-to-end play, so his somewhat pedestrian numbers and lack of overall impact shouldn’t come as a big surprise. Ayton’s true gifts will be more evident in the Suns’ half court sets once the season begins.

See how the odds for Knox, Sexton and the rest of the league’s incoming freshman fluctuate throughout the season by visiting our 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds Tracker.

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