NBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Cooper Flagg Clear Favorite Despite Slow Start in NBA Debut
The NBA Rookie of the Year race has a clear favorite before it even begins, with Cooper Flagg dominating the odds boards as he takes center stage with the Dallas Mavericks. Can the Duke superstar continue his explosive play at the NBA level and cruise to the Rookie of the Year? Peter Alexis examines the opening 2025-26 NBA ROY odds.
Peter Alexis - October 23, 2025, 3:00 AM EDT
4 Minute ReadNBA Rookie of the Year Odds: Cooper Flagg Given 58% Chance to Win NBA ROY in 2025-26
The NBA season tips off with one of the most unique Rookie of the Year races in recent memory, as Cooper Flagg enters the year as a minus-odds favorite (-140) before even playing a regular-season game. It’s extremely rare for a rookie to open as the betting favorite at that level, but Flagg’s generational hype and immediate role with the Dallas Mavericks have made him the clear front-runner. The 19-year-old is expected to take over the offensive reins following Luka Doncic’s departure, giving him both the opportunity and the spotlight to put up massive numbers right out of the gate.
Behind Flagg, there’s a clear separation between the top two contenders and the rest of the field. VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers sits second at +250 after a stellar preseason and an explosive NBA debut. Beyond those two, the odds stretch dramatically, showing how much oddsmakers believe this could be a two-man race unless someone else breaks through early. Let’s take a closer look at the top four names in the early Rookie of the Year odds race.
Looking for advanced AI predictions and props to enhance your NBA betting? Try out oddschecker+ now on this limited time 7-day free trial!
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
Click here for complete NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
NBA Rookie of the Year Odds Breakdown
Cooper Flagg (-140) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best ROY odds
Flagg was the nation’s most dominant college player in his lone season at Duke and is already being billed as the next great NBA superstar. The No. 1 overall pick by the Mavericks, Flagg steps into a franchise eager for a new identity after Doncic’s exit. While he started slowly in his NBA debut, going just 1-for-9 from the field in the first three quarters, he bounced back strong in the fourth to post a double-double. His two-way skill set, confidence, and high usage rate make him the obvious early favorite to bring home the Rookie of the Year trophy.
VJ Edgecombe (+250) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best ROY odds
Edgecombe came into the league with a chip on his shoulder, and it showed immediately. The former Baylor standout dropped 34 points on 13-of-26 shooting in his first NBA game, proving he can handle the pace and physicality of the pros. As the Sixers deal with several early-season injuries, Edgecombe is likely to have a green light offensively, giving him plenty of runway to stay in the Rookie of the Year conversation. If he keeps up this scoring volume, the gap between him and Flagg could narrow quickly.
Tre Johnson (+1500) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best ROY odds
The Washington Wizards may not win many games this season, but Tre Johnson will have all the opportunity in the world to fill the stat sheet. The sixth overall pick out of Texas scored 16 points in his debut, flashing his smooth jumper and defensive intensity. On a team lacking true playmakers, Johnson will have the ball in his hands often, making him a sneaky longshot to watch if he can consistently produce on both ends.
Ace Bailey (+2000) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best ROY odds
Bailey’s start to his NBA career was less than ideal, as the Utah Jazz rookie scored only two points on five shots in his first game. Drafted fifth overall out of Rutgers, Bailey made waves during the draft by expressing reluctance about joining the Jazz, which may have created some early friction in the locker room. His athletic potential is undeniable, but he’ll need to prove his commitment and earn trust from the coaching staff before he can climb back into the Rookie of the Year picture.
NBA ODDS
Affiliate Disclosure.
We are not a gambling or betting operator, but we receive a commission from these companies when we advertise their brands and refer customers to them (affiliate marketing). We provide information, odds information and links to websites of these companies. Some of the information made available on our site may be positioned as a result of a commission paid to us by a third party. We do not take or place bets/transactions and any information on Our Products is provided for entertainment purposes only.
