NBA Rookie of the Year Odds & Predictions 2026: Flagg Headlines the Rookie Class

• Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks is the early favorite to win Rookie of the Year.

• Ace Bailey of the Utah Jazz is the top contender to win the award.

• The 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year was Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs.

The NBA offseason has arrived, and the 2025 NBA Draft has been completed, welcoming the league's newest wave of talent. Headlining the 2025 NBA Draft class are standout prospects like Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper. Given the depth and talent of this year's rookie class, next season promises to exhibit one of the most competitive Rookie of the Year races ever! At WSN, we're locked in on the race for Rookie of the Year, offering the latest odds, predictions, and analyses for the 2025-26 NBA season!

For the best NBA Futures bets, WSN has you covered with betting picks and tips every day throughout the 2025-26 NBA season and playoffs! New sports bettors can use the top NBA sportsbook promo codes and bonuses before their favorite team tips off!

Let's check out the bets!

2026 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

BetMGM provides the latest odds for the NBA Rookie of the Year winner. Join BetMGM with our promo code WSNSPORTS and claim your welcome offer: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

2026 NBA Rookie of the Year Winner Predictions

The competition to win NBA Rookie of the Year is one of the most exciting award races of every NBA season. Not only does the award celebrate the league’s top rookie talent, but it can also identify one of the NBA’s future faces of the league. Eighty-two games will decide who will go home with the top individual honor for first-year players, where a single game can make a massive impact on the competition.

The early favorite to win the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year is Dallas Mavericks big man Cooper Flagg, the top pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. However, despite some pre-draft dramatics, Utah Jazz guard Ace Bailey is the top contender to Flagg now that he’s landed with a team. Challenging Flagg with Bailey is former Longhorn Tre Johnson, the now-Washington Wizard guard who will try and translate his high-scoring antics to the NBA level. Several players are on the outside looking in, according to early predictions. Still, dynamic talents like Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecombe, who round out the top contenders, won’t be left out of the conversation. Expect Rookie of the Year to be a dynamic competition next season!

Use WSNSPORTS at BetMGM for $1,500 Bonus

2026 NBA Rookie of the Year Winner - My Pick

• Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks) (-190) at BetMGM

Anything can happen in the Rookie of the Year race, but to open the NBA offseason, there’s no reason to doubt first-overall pick Cooper Flagg. While the former Duke big man’s sole college season failed to produce a national championship, it didn’t diminish his NBA potential. The do-it-all forward has drawn comparisons to talents like Scottie Pippen and Jayson Tatum, and he projects to have an opportunity to contribute from day one with the Dallas Mavericks.

Flagg made waves as a freshman in college, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 threes per game on 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. The versatility in his game has generated high expectations, as he will be slotted into the Dallas Mavericks’ starring role once occupied by Luka Doncic. Headlining a Dallas team led by several future Hall-of-Famers, expect the spotlight to be on Flagg all season long.

Claim $1,500 in Bonus Bets at BetMGM

How to Bet on the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year Winner

Betting on the NBA Rookie of the Year winner is a breeze! Just select the player you believe will be the most outstanding rookie through the 2025-26 NBA regular season. Consider both favorites and underdogs ahead of your selection, and assess their role, form, and the likelihood of team success based on their contributions. Team performance isn’t as influential of a factor in the race for Rookie of the Year, but a first-year that leads their team to a postseason berth has a leg up on the competition.

Sharp bettors track player performance closely throughout the regular season and NBA Cup, paying attention to production and how players might match up against upcoming opponents. Since odds for the NBA Rookie of the Year winner can shift after every game, staying on top of player momentum, team form, and betting value is key. Top rookies rarely make their way to playoff-contending teams–so keep an eye out for top performers, regardless of record, to make the most of your betting opportunities!

How to Read NBA Rookie of the Year Winner Odds

The market for NBA Rookie of the Year winners is simple to read. Sports bettors should consider the presented odds, their value, and a player's statistical contributions compared to their competitors.

Positive odds denote the amount you'd win with a $100 wager. For example, if Ace Bailey is +850 to win the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year, you'd win $850 with a $100 bet. A player is less likely to win with higher positive odds, but the payout is much more profitable.

Negative odds tend to indicate the favorite to win a certain bet and act as the inverse of positive odds in the case of a $100 wager. Should Cooper Flagg be a -190 to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award, you'd need to wager $190 to win $100. The lower the negative odds, the more likely the player is to win the prize. Favorites are not always apparent through the course of a betting market's availability, so watch how it develops throughout the competition.

Through the NBA regular season, the odds for the NBA Rookie of the Year winner can shift with a single performance, so stay locked in with each game!

Where to Bet on the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year Winner

Many online sportsbooks offer the opportunity to bet on the NBA Rookie of the Year award winner; you need to choose the perfect one for you!

Bettors on the go can’t go wrong with Caesars Sportsbook for their NBA Rookie of the Year betting needs! The Caesars Sportsbook mobile app has been optimized for users seeking a fast and intuitive experience. Real-time betting options enable bettors to track player performance as the game unfolds. If you sign up with the promo code WSNDYW, you can score the following offer: Bet $1, Get 10 100% Profit Boost Tokens. Read our full Caesars sportsbook review.

For a wide range of competitive odds and betting options, check out BetMGM Sportsbook for your NBA Rookie of the Year betting needs! It’s an excellent destination to bet on NBA Rookie of the Year and other NBA futures markets! Bettors will receive excellent 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, as well as the benefits of the BetMGM Rewards program, which offers unique, real-world perks and experiences. New users who register with promo code WSNSPORTS can unlock a generous welcome bonus:Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*. Fore more details check our comprehensive BetMGM Sportsbook review.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

One of the most trusted and dynamic sportsbooks for NBA Rookie of the Year betting is FanDuel Sportsbook! Known for its excellent user experience and regular promotions, FanDuel is the go-to option for bettors looking for variety and maximum value. FanDuel gives bettors plenty of chances to capitalize throughout the season with frequent special offers and boosted odds. New customers can now take advantage of this deal: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins. If you need more info - read our FanDuel Sportsbook review.

NBA Rookie of the Year History

One of the NBA’s most celebrated awards, the NBA Rookie of the Year award recognizes the achievements of the league’s most outstanding first-year player each season. Introduced in the 1952-53 NBA season, the award has spotlighted future stars, often marking the beginning of a stellar career. The early NBA era was characterized by big men dominating the category, as size and power defined the league at the time. However, the game has evolved, and the shift to perimeter play has seen backcourt and frontcourt players share the spotlight more evenly. Skill, speed, and perimeter play define the game today, and NBA rookie classes are deeper and more talented than ever before.

Linked with some of the NBA’s iconic figures, the Rookie of the Year award is among the most coveted in the NBA, as a player only has one season of eligibility for the award. Legends like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and LeBron James all had stellar rookie campaigns to kickstart their legendary careers. The growing international influence in the game is also evident in the success of the rookie class, as players like Pau Gasol, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama have outshone their American rivals. Each season, the Rookie of the Year race introduces new talent into the NBA, and winning the award tends to represent a starting point for greatness for some of the league’s top players.