Updated 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds and Predictions – Is it a Two-Man Race Between Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green?

• Jalen Green and Cade Cunningham are the early betting favorites for NBA ROY
• Raptors’ forward Scottie Barnes led all rookies in assists this preseason
• Check out the latest NBA Rookie of the Year odds and our betting prediction below

Maybe it’s just me, but getting through the NBA preseason has been a slog.

Thankfully, we kick things off for real Tuesday night, when the Milwaukee Bucks host the Brooklyn Nets, followed by the LA Lakers welcoming in the Golden State Warriors.

That double dip represents some of the best going right now — but our interest today is in who’s got next.

So they aren’t glitzy franchises currently dotting the marquis, but with this next bumper crop of NBA rookies, they could very well be.

There’s a clear two-man hierarchy at the top of the betting table, with Houston’s Jalen Green and Detroit’s Cade Cunningham leading the way in the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year odds.

2022 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

Odds as of October 18th at DraftKings

Let’s have a run through the field and see how this race could shape up, and offer you our best betting advice with what we know so far.

The Favorites

I get why Green and Cunningham dot the first two spots in the table, but so far, it’s more out of respect than current body of work.

Green, who is projected to start right away and has experience from his time last year in the G-League against live, adult bodies, looks the part of NBA pro as a 6-foot-4, explosive shooting guard. Like most young players, however, it will be how his game develops. His flashes have been what you’d expect out of a top pick.

Man I'm hoping the Rockets use Jalen Green as an off ball threat a lot more in the regular season. Could be really effective as a cutter and a shooter off movement. pic.twitter.com/kfcCB3XqTI

— DGC (@Itamar_17_10) October 17, 2021

Currently, it looks as though he’s adjusting to the speed of the game, and his numbers show it. In four preseason games, he averaged 13.3 points, shooting 34% from the field and just 23.1% from three point range. He also logged 3.8 rebounds a contest, but turned the ball over 2.5 times per game, while dishing out just 2.3 assists.

It’s even harder to peg with Cunningham, who injured his right ankle in the first week of camp and didn’t play a single preseason minute. He did have a fairly successful summer league showing, putting up 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals on 42.9% shooting in three games. He’s tracking to be ready for their opener.

#Pistons Cade Cunningham is shooting after practice… No visible ankle wrap. Could be something…could be nothing. pic.twitter.com/5JwRFjv6yC

— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) October 18, 2021

Both will get ample opportunities, particularly Green, as the Rockets are desperate to build up a once-respectable franchise. Green becoming a superstar would greatly help. Cunningham is the centerpiece of a nice Detroit rebuild, and could bring it all together, which could accelerate the Pistons’ timeline.

The Others

There’s some value picks inside the top-10, including Orlando Magic point guard Jalen Suggs. Like Green, he didn’t come close to lighting the preseason on fire, averaging just five points, 3.7 rebounds and three assists across three games for the Magic. He also missed the preseason finale with a non-COVID illness.

JALEN. SUGGS.

THROW IT DOWN 🤯 pic.twitter.com/AmgECg4PMJ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 11, 2021

One thing working for the Gonzaga star is the field he’s up against. Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz (recovering from knee surgery) and one-time rookie of the year Michael Carter-Williams are the other main ball handlers, which should mean plenty of opportunity to take the reins.

In Toronto, the semi-teardown has started, but the impressive play of Scottie Barnes could have the Raptors re-tooling on the fly post-Kyle Lowry. Already sporting a core of Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher and Gary Trent Jr, Barnes may get a chance to solidify a rotation spot as Pascal Siakam recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.

They said Scottie Barnes was a playmaker. They weren’t lying. 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZuoSk27sHi

— THE SHIFT (@theshift_sports) October 13, 2021

The 6-foot-7 wing showed a ton of versatility, putting up 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists — a figure that led all rookies. Nick Nurse loves to get creative, and Barnes could be a high-post hub that can puncture the middle of the defense.

The Long Shots

Three guys to keep an eye at with +2500 odds or greater. OKC Thunder guard Josh Giddey will have plenty of opportunities to deal alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as another shot creator. He flashed his all-around game in preseason, putting up 13.5 points on 52.3% shooting, adding seven boards and five dimes.

JAMES BOUKNIGHT OH MY pic.twitter.com/5apMmRangn

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 8, 2021

James Bouknight has been highly touted as the darkhorse of this draft. The 11th overall pick has looked extremely comfortable in the Charlotte backcourt, averaging 15.8 points on 45.1% shooting in 23.1 minutes. Paired alongside reigning ROY LaMelo Ball, Bouknight should get ample opportunity and great looks courtesy his stud backcourt mate.

What’s in a Number?

If you’re looking for draft trends, since 2000, the top pick has taken home this award seven times — though the last no. 1 to take it home was Ben Simmons in 2017. In the last three years, the third pick has won the award twice (Luka Doncic 2018 and Ball 2020) while the second overall pick Ja Morant took it in 2019.

Josh Giddey is fun as hell to watch 🔥

(🎥 @swishcultures_) pic.twitter.com/WMY7PE1k2a

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) October 14, 2021

Outside the top three picks, six players have been named ROY within the top 10: Mike Miller (5th in ’00), Amar’s Stoudemire (9th in ’02), Chris Paul (4th in ’05), Brandon Roy (6th in ’06), Tyreke Evans (4th in ’09) and Dame Lillard (6th in ’12).

Looking for guys outside the top 10? Just two players since 2000 have claimed that award: Carter-Williams (11th in ’13) and Malcolm Brogdon (36th in 2016).

What’s the Best Bet?

There’s nothing wrong placing a wager on Green or Cunningham, but be sure to sprinkle your wagers around, as there’s plenty of value along the board.

Suggs will get as much opportunity as the top two choices, but with a more rewarding +750. Will team success matter? If it does, it’s almost a lock Barnes will be a contributor on a team that could get to .500. He’s my secondary choice.

Bouknight will be part of a core for a Hornets’ team that should challenge for a playoff berth.

The pick: Cunningham (+300)