Zion Williamson Plummets to +500 Odds for Rookie of the Year After Latest Injury Update
- With still no date set for his NBA debut, Zion Williamson has plummeted to a lengthy +500 in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds
- Williamson quickly emerged as a heavy favorite after being selected first overall in the NBA Draft, but has been hobbled by a knee injury since October
- The top scorer among this season’s rookies, Ja Morant now sits atop the board
Following reports that he may not make his NBA debut until some time in the new year, Zion Williamson has tumbled to a lengthy +500 in NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
Odds to Win NBA Rookie of the Year
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ja Morant | +150 |
| Eric Paschall | +500 |
| Kendrick Nunn | +500 |
| Zion Williamson | +500 |
| RJ Barrett | +600 |
| Rui Hachimura | +1000 |
| Coby White | +1600 |
Odds taken on Dec. 10th
NBA Debut Spoiled by Knee Injury
Selected first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019 NBA Draft, Williamson quickly emerged as a heavy favorite to earn top rookie honors this season, with his average odds peaking at a short -203 in early July.
Williamson saw his pro debut spoiled by a knee injury that was expected to sideline him for six-to-eight weeks, immediately sinking his odds to +300.
No Zion Williamson this calendar year, the wait continues. #NBA #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/0P0cQk6Jko
— Pelicans Nation (@PelsNationCP) December 10, 2019
The 19-year-old had been steadily regain ground in NBA ROY betting in anticipation of his return, climbing to +200 as recently as a week ago. But with his expected return date fast approaching, and still no indication that he is close to making a return, Williamson now sports his longest odds yet, and is looking increasingly unlikely to rebound.
While Williamson’s absence has been yet another disappointment for New Orleans basketball fans, there should be little hue and cry for the former Duke Blue Devils star to be rushed into service. The Pelicans are off to a dismal start to the NBA campaign, and with a 6-18 SU record, and sit far closer to the bottom of the NBA standings than a playoff spot.
Pelicans Likely to Take Slow Approach
Even if Williamson is able to keep close to his anticipated schedule for a return to the hardwood, Pelicans vice-president of basketball operations David Griffin has already publicly stated the team’s intentions to go slow with their young star, applying some form of load management, avoiding playing him in back-to-back contests.
Según ha confirmado el General Manager de los Pelicans, David Griffin, en New Orleans serán muy cautelosos con el regreso de Zion Williamson y no jugará las noches de back-to-back. #WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/4BRQX1Pf5u
— SOMOSBASKET.COM (@SomosBasketweb) December 7, 2019
In a best case scenario that sees Williamson somehow make his NBA debut by the beginning of January, he will have missed at least 34 games, and may simply not see enough action this season to warrant consideration as the NBA’s top rookie.
Morant Vaults to Top of Odds
With Williamson falling out of the race, Ja Morant has emerged as the favorite in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds, where he is now perched as +150 chalk.
Selected immediately after Williamson at this year’s draft, Morant has made an instant contribution with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 19.1 points and 6.4 assistss per game, tops among this season’s rookie class.
Yesterday was Ja Morant's 4th game with 25+ points and 5+ assists.
He's the 12th player since 1983 to have 4+ games like that in his first 25 in the NBA pic.twitter.com/YsoknSouje
— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) December 10, 2019
Injuries remain a concern for Morant, who spent the first week of December sidelined by back spasms. However, the 20-year-old was healthy enough to return to action on Monday night, leading the Grizzlies to a 110-102 win over Golden State while racking up a game-high 26 points, and adding seven assists. But like the Pelicans, the Grizzlies have struggled badly this season with a 7-16 SU record, and are also likely to take a go-slow approach with Morant, should his back troubles linger.
Eric Paschall and Kendrick Nunn join Williamson at +500, while another former Blue Devil, RJ Barrett, lags at +600. Nunn , has contributed 15.3 points per game, while Barrett has given long-suffering fans in the Big Apple something to feel good about while racking up 14.3 points per game.
Maturity, Experience Add to Paschall’s Value
The rookie currently offering the most intriguing value in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds has to be Eric Paschall.
With the Warriors depleted by their offseason personnel departures and extensive injury woes since the beginning of the campaign, Paschall has enjoyed a golden opportunity to contribute, and hasn’t disappointed.
ROY race so far
Ja Morant vs Eric Paschall pic.twitter.com/WuLi2PqTFM
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) December 10, 2019
The 23-year-old, who went 41st overall at this year’s draft, has played the second most minutes for Golden State this season, and sits second to Morant in points per game, with 16.6.
Paschall ranks fourth among rookies with 5.2 rebounds per game, and has also been effective at drawing his fair share of fouls, earning him a rookie-best 87 made free throws. While Morant looked good in Monday’s return, any recurrence of his of his recent back woes could add even more value to a wager on Paschall.
Pick: Eric Paschall (+500)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
