2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds and Predictions

With the 2024 NBA Draft in the books, it’s time to take a look at the early 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year odds. All of the top prospects finally know where they’ll be spending their first NBA seasons, and even Bronny James got selected.

It was a fun night for NBA fans, but soon enough these top prospects will be back to work in the NBA Summer League. Before long, we’ll be in training camp and you’ll be wishing you placed some early bets for who will win the NBA ROY in 2024-25.

There is a lot of value for this year’s race. Last year Wemby was a huge favorite going in, and most years bettors have a good idea who is likely to win. This year? Not so much.

If you need a little help formulating your wagers, join me as I look at the latest NBA betting odds for this market and come away with my winner prediction.

Zaccharie Risacher was the first overall pick in this year’s draft, but he isn’t the favorite to win the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year award. Find out who is via the early odds at BetOnline.

This year’s favorite is actually UConn product Stephon Castle. He was selected fourth overall by the San Antonio Spurs, who view him as a long-term running mate with big man Victor Wembanyama.

Sarr was taken number two overall by the rebuilding Washington Wizards, while #1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher could offer exceptional betting value as the rookie with the third highest odds.

There are some massive names on this list. Zach Edey cracked the top-10 and was a monster at Purdue (25.2 points per game), while Donovan Clingan fell a bit more than I personally expected him to. Do these guys have the game that can allow them to transition and produce immediately, and are they going to be buried on their respective rosters?

When betting on who will win the NBA Rookie of the Year, talent is just part of what you have to factor into the equation. Team fit, NBA level skills, and roster depth all play a key role in predicting how players will perform – and how quickly they can begin tapping into their next level potential.

It’s undeniable that there is loads of value here. But which NBA rookies are actually worth betting on. 

Let’s break down this year’s betting favorite and go over some of the top NBA Rookie of the Year contenders to see who is viable at your favorite online sportsbooks.

Why is Stephon Castle the 2024-25 NBA ROY Favorite?

I can’t go against Castle as the tentative favorite to win the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year award. I actually liked him a lot going into this process and literally had him going 4th overall in my 2024 NBA Draft predictions breakdown.

There is a ton to like about Castle. He has awesome size and versatility, he has elite potential on the defensive end, and he is equally dangerous as a scorer and playmaker. 

San Antonio badly needed a prospect like this. Tre Jones is all they have at the point right now, and that isn’t saying much. The Spurs do have some other pieces, but Castle gives them a possible stud that enters with a winning pedigree and has serious room to grow.

Castle is coming off a championship with the Huskies, so we know this kid knows how to win.

We also know he isn’t going to back down from a challenge, and that on paper he has the size and physicality to handle the rigors of the NBA. The only cause for pause? His price isn’t as inviting as it maybe would have been if he wasn’t the favorite right away.

And while I love his talent and the fit with the Spurs, there’s nothing guaranteeing that he leap frogs guys like Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson, or even Malaki Branham right away. He absolutely has to send one of them to the pine to have a shot at claiming this award.

Top 2024-25 NBA ROY Contenders

Castle is the ROY favorite and could easily be in the mix to win, but this is a very unpredictable race. There are absolutely several guys we should be considering before we place our bets – or simply go in knowing we’ll place numerous bets.

Of course, some still stand out more than others. Here are two more NBA Rookie of the Year contenders I’m high on going into the 2024-25 campaign.

Alexandre Sarr +500

Sarr is a risky bet, but he could be a really fun one for three reasons. First, because Washington made a serious investment in him with the second overall pick. Second, because this is a rebuilding squad with little motivation not to give him every chance to succeed.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, the guy is a monster.

Sarr is raw, but he is a massive force down low, possessing instantly elite shot-blocking ability, and the athleticism to be a terror inside on offense.

He is going to be a bit rough around the edges at first, as he’s young and still developing. However, he flashed very nice ability at both ends of the floor in the NBL, and there is absolutely no denying the potential he brings to the table.

I am a bit hesitant to go all-in on him even at a respectable +500 price. That said, he is immensely talented and the Wizards don’t have any incentive to delay his development.

Marvin Bagley is the only name ahead of him that should scare you, and I’m not even sold that he’s an issue. Washington doesn’t need to rush Sarr, but since they’re going to be near the bottom of the league, they might as well throw him to the wolves and hope for the best.

Zaccharie Risacher +650

Atlanta has a lot of nice talent. The problem is we don’t know how much longer it will last, nor which pieces the Hawks want to mold and shape together.

The Trae Young trade rumors continue to rage on, so it wouldn’t be shocking if he or Dejounte Murray are moved at some point this off-season.

If you’re thinking about backing Risacher to win the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year award, your main reasoning has to be that you think the Hawks are going to unload some talent.

Atlanta isn’t any closer to contending after this draft, so the most logical move for them is to accrue talent and assets. That will likely mean trading some big names away, which should open up major minutes for Risacher.

Getting the draft’s top overall pick at +650 odds is rather alluring. He currently fits the mold of a 3-and-D guy more than a legit star, but anything can happen if he finds himself playing 30+ minutes per night in year one.

2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year Sleepers

Want even more value when betting on the NBA ROY winner? I’ve got a few sleepers I am particularly high on. They don’t come without some risk, but they all offer upside and could have a path to claiming this award.

Tidjane Salaun +1600

One of the first NBA Rookie of the Year value bets on my radar is Salaun, and for two very good reasons. First, because he’s an overlooked talent just dripping with upside. Second, because the Hornets are awful and don’t have much of a reason to keep him off the floor.

Salaun was a huge surprise at number six overall, but it’s easy to see why the Hornets took their shot. The 18-year old big man offers solid size, an excellent frame, superb athleticism, and the ability to finish around the rim.

When you think about who should be running the floor with LaMelo Ball, a tall, rangy, fluid athlete is precisely what comes to mind. It’s true that Salaun may be a bit too raw and inexperienced to make the leap and contend for ROY right away, but at this price, I’m not ready to completely rule that out.

Ron Holland +2000

My favorite sleeper pick to win the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year is easily Ron Holland. Detroit made him the 5th overall draft choice, and it’s possible he makes them look really smart awfully quick.

One major positive about Holland is that he’s already displayed his elite offensive skill-set against NBA-level competition, having put up 19.5 points per game this past season.

Of course, he did a lot more than just score.

Holland was not as efficient as you’d like to see, but everything about him screams “superstar”. He can initiate offense on the fast break, he excels defensively, he is an explosive athlete who can rise above the rim, and he has a blossoming inside/outside game.

Holland really may offer the total package. His inefficiency and Detroit’s depth chart could haunt me, but on paper, he looks like an awesome bet.

Bronny James +20000

I’ll most likely stop at Holland as far as realistic Rookie of the Year value bets go, but how can I not mention Bronny James?

The NBA loves narratives, and this father/son thing already broke a record.

Where do we go from here? Anything is possible.

On price alone, we have to consider Bronny James. Sure, he was just a second round draft pick, but he went to the Los Angeles Lakers. He will have the opportunity to play with his dad, LeBron James, and if the King has anything to say about it, there’s a good chance he plays quite a bit.

Opportunity is the name of the game. Bronny did not impress statistically at USC, but he did exhibit solid athleticism, strong defensive aptitude, and a good feel for the game. If he can keep improving and brings an NBA-ready jumper to the table come next season, this wouldn’t be the craziest bet to make.

2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year Prediction

If you’re ready to make some NBA picks for this betting market, this breakdown should have helped you at least narrow down your list.

This is not your typical year for betting on the NBA ROY, and that can either be awesome or terrible. On one hand, there is no clear favorite, but on the other, you’re getting an awesome price no matter what.

The trick is you need to bet now to fully take advantage of that. All things considered, I think the most logical bet right now is Ron Holland. 

It remains to be seen exactly how he fits into their rotation, but the Pistons swung for the fences for a highly skilled and athletic player who could turn into an offensive force in the NBA.

Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren appear to be the two focal points for the Pistons, but who else can they truly hang their hat on? If Holland can unseat Jaden Ivey and emerge as Detroit’s second go-to guy on offense, he could have a clear path to a first-year trophy.

Nothing is guaranteed, but this is a wide open race and Holland’s talent and upside are undeniable. The fact that you can get him at astonishing +2000 NBA Rookie of the Year odds is just the icing on the cake.

Bet: Ron Holland +2000