NBA Rookie of the Year Odds Update: Wemby Leads the Pack

Each team in the NBA has played at least 40 games this season, which gives us a solid outlook on how teams and players are performing up to this point.

The Rookie of the Year race has been a bit of a back-and-forth battle that has changed hands a few times since the season tipped off.

Let's take a look at the latest NBA Rookie of the Year odds on FanDuel Sportsbook as we near the end of January.

NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

Here is the list of the four players with odds and a breakdown for each candidate.

Victor Wembanyama (-125)

Before Victor Wembanyama stepped foot in the NBA, there were lofty expectations for the 7-foot-4 big man out of France. The rookie for the San Antonio Spurs just simply does things that a human shouldn't be capable of doing on a basketball court.

In his first year in the league, Wembanyama is averaging 20.3 points, 10.0 rebouds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.2 blocks per game on 46.4% shooting from the floor. Wembanyama's 20.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game leads all rookies while his 3.2 blocks per game paces the entire NBA.

While team success isn't always considered when talking about the Rookie of the Year award, the Spurs are one of the worst teams in the league despite Wembanyama's efforts. After taking Wembanyama with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Spurs are 8-35 in their first 43 games, which is the worst record in the Western Conference.

The rookie phenom has improved his scoring numbers as of late, scoring 20-plus points in 10 of his last 11 appearances. Wembanyama has also flashed his elite rim-protecting ability, blocking multiple shots in 28 of his first 37 games. If Wembanyama continues to average a double-double and lead the league in blocks, his case to win Rookie of the Year looks rock solid right now.

Chet Holmgren (+100)

Earlier this month when we offered a glimpse into the odds for NBA Rookie of the Year, it was Chet Holmgren who was leading the race. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder has made an immediate impact in his first year playing following a season-ending foot injury last season.

The Gonzaga product is posting 17.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game on 54.2% shooting. Holmgren is also shooting much more efficiently from three-point range (38.6%) than Wembanyama (29.9%) despite playing in five more games.

Aside from playing in more games, the Thunder also boast the second-best record in the Western Conference at 29-13. The emergence of Holmgren on both ends of the court has given Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a prominent player to work alongside for years to come.

When it comes to individual contributions, Holmgren has the 24th-best nERD rating (4.7), via numberFire's metrics. The 21-year-old center is also tied with Paolo Banchero and Joel Embiid for the ninth-most defensive win shares in the NBA (2.2). The Thunder's success and slight improvements to his numbers are major factors in Holmgren remaining within striking distance of Wembanyama.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. (+30000)

The NBA Rookie of the Year competition is essentially a two-man race between Wembanyama and Holmgren. That doesn't mean we can't spend time giving Jaime Jaquez Jr. props for how he has performed in his rookie season.

The Miami Heat have a knack for finding and developing talent, and Jaquez is just another example. The 18th overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft has quickly become a key contributor for the Heat, logging 14 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while making 51.3% of his shots.

Before missing the last four games, Jaquez was active for the first 39 games of the season. Jaquez doesn't have a timetable to return due to a groin injury, but he figures to remain an integral piece in Miami's lineup once he returns.

With injuries to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo hampering the Heat this season, Jaquez has helped the Heat remain afloat at times. Even though he isn't going to contend for the Rookie of the Year award, Erik Spoelstra found himself a talented two-way player to work with moving forward.

Brandon Miller (+50000)

Another first-year player who has an uphill climb to get into contention for Rookie of the Year honors is Brandon Miller. There were questions surrounding the selection of Miller with the No. 2 overall pick behind Wembanyama and whether or not the Charlotte Hornets should have taken Scoot Henderson instead.

Nevertheless, Miller has put together a solid rookie campaign on a Hornets team that is on track to miss the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. The rookie forward out of Alabama is registering 14.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game on 43.5% shooting from the field.

Miller has been sidelined for six games thus far, and he recently missed back-to-back games for the first time of his career. In his three games since returning from injury, Miller has averaged 24.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game on 61.4% shooting from the field and 42.9% shooting from beyond the arc.

The Hornets have the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 10-31 amid injuries and other factors that have led to another disappointing campaign in Charlotte. Consistency has been an issue for Miller at the onset of his career, but he's shown flashes of upside in his rookie season with the Hornets.

Do you think you know which NBA players will take home hardware this season? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook's NBA award odds market to bet any major season-long awards with America's Number One Sportsbook.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.