NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: The Unstoppable Evan Mobley
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: The Unstoppable Evan Mobley
As we near the halfway point of the season, let’s look at the top five NBA ROY odds and how we should handicap them based on recent news.
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds Rankings
5. Josh Giddey (+2500, Previous: +2500)
Josh Giddey recently became the youngest player ever to record a triple-double, passing LaMelo Ball along the way. And while that's a nice story for a player having an underrated season, Giddey would have to average a triple-double the rest of the way to have any hope of catching up to the number one on this list.
We will have some fun with stats when we reach Evan Mobley below, but Giddey is in very rare company with what he is producing. There are three rookies in history who averaged at least 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal per game:
- Josh Giddey
- Ben Simmons
- Magic Johnson
Giddey just turned 19 three months ago and he should absolutely be getting more praise for what he is doing as such a young rookie.
4. Franz Wagner (+1400, Previous: Unranked)
Wagner jumps both Jalen Green and Josh Giddey on the strength of an unbelievable stretch of games that saw him average 19.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3 assists from the beginning of December until January 3rd.
If the Magic had not lost essentially their whole roster due to injury and COVID, we may not have seen the level of brilliance that Wagner has to offer. But now he will be a staple in their lineup moving forward, no matter what iteration of a rotation the Magic put on the court.
In almost any other year, Wagner's last month would have propelled him to the top of the ROY leaderboards, but with such strong seasons from the top three so far, there is little that Wagner can do that will help him punch through that ceiling.
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3. Cade Cunningham (+650, Previous: +325)
Just as he was starting to get rolling, Cunningham has two abysmal games in a row and then is forced to sit out five straight games due to COVID protocols.
He bounced back with 37 minutes and 19 points on 53% shooting on Monday, but the damage was already done in his absence. Mobley pulled ahead, Scottie Barnes came back to the court, and Cunningham's odds doubled all in the span of two weeks.
Averages of 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists are incredibly impressive, but his shooting this year has been abysmal (38% from the floor, 31% from three), so it has put a damper on his ROY chances. As the Pistons continue to lose and fade away into oblivion this season, so will Cunningham's ROY chances. He could end the year in second place, taking home the trophy seems very unlikely.
2. Scottie Barnes (+360, Previous: +350)
Barnes is the rookie that can hold the claim of the most playing time this year. He still ranks 10th in the NBA in minutes per game and is now back to a full allotment after missing several games due to COVID protocols.
His production is as rock solid as ever. He gave us 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game in the last five weeks and the Raptors are 6-4 in their last 10 games. How good has he been this season overall?
There are seven players this year averaging at least 15 points, one steal, and one block per game. You've heard of their names: LeBron, Giannis, Embiid, Towns, Davis. Barnes is also on that list.
1. Evan Mobley (+100, Previous: +150)
Maybe you've checked the box scores. Maybe you've seen the replays of Mobley flying in from the paint, blocking three-point shots with this seven-foot plus wingspan. Maybe you realize no rookie since Pau Gasol in 2002 has put up 14 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game on 50% shooting.
But if you haven't seen any of these things, at least know this: Evan Mobley is a beast. He is a revelation and one of the primary drivers that has Cleveland secured in a playoff spot.
We have seen Mobley deal with minor injuries already this year, and truthfully, with the way he is playing, that is the only thing that could derail his ROY campaign. He may not be the value play, but he is the safe play.
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