NBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2026: Cooper Flagg Leads Race

The NBA Rookie of the Year race has been even better than advertised.

While Cooper Flagg began as the betting favorite, he’s faced fierce competition from multiple members of a talented rookie class.

Get the latest NBA betting odds and predictions for the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year market:

Odds to Win NBA Rookie of the Year 2026

Who Will Win NBA Rookie of the Year in 2026?

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg is back to being the favorite (-500) to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award during the 2025-26 season.

Flagg, who opened as a considerable favorite, briefly relinquished his throne atop this market in mid-November. Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel’s lead in this race lasted a couple of days, an unexpected outcome after he entered the year as a +2000 long shot. Knueppel remains the No. 2 option in this market at +325.

Flagg jumped back ahead of his former college teammate after a 29-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 21. He’s remained in front ever since, highlighted by an impressive back-to-back in Los Angeles. Flagg dished 11 assists against the Lakers on Nov. 28 before following that up with 35 points against the Clippers the next night.

Still, the shuffle at the top of the board is certainly notable. Flagg entered the season as a -225 favorite to win the award, making him the biggest preseason favorite to win Rookie of the Year since at least 2007, as the Sports Odds History database doesn’t go back further than that.

Kevin Durant and Wembanyama are the only other rookies with negative odds before the start of the season. Durant was -200 before claiming the trophy in 2007-08, while Wembanyama was -145 (as of Oct. 24) en route to securing the award in 2023-24.

It’s worth noting that Wembanyama didn’t maintain his status as the favorite from start to finish. He was eventually passed by Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren, allowing bettors to capitalize on some plus-money prices on Wembanyama.

So, this has happened before.

Knueppel, the No. 4 pick in the NBA Draft, is averaging 19 points per contest on 45.9% shooting. He’s also averaging 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists, helping the Hornets navigate early-season injuries. Knueppel is undoubtedly capable of claiming ROY if he keeps this up.

Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe, who was selected No. 3 overall, is another Rookie of the Year candidate. He scored 34 points in the season opener, passing Allen Iverson’s 30-piece for the franchise record of most points in a debut. Edgecombe’s 34-point effort is second all-time for most points in a debut, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 43.

Flagg, meanwhile, has been asked to do a lot for the Mavs in his first year. He’s averaging 18.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists with a 48.2% field goal percentage as of this writing.

I still think this is Flagg’s award to lose, but his fellow rookies have put pressure on him to start the year.

Prediction: Cooper Flagg

NBA Rookie of the Year Voting 2025

Past NBA Rookie of the Year Winners

Who Was the Biggest Preseason Favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year?

According to the Sports Odds History database, Cooper Flagg made history as the biggest preseason favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year. He was -225 before the start of the 2025-26 campaign. The data doesn’t go back further than 2007.

Before Flagg, Kevin Durant’s -200 preseason price tag was the steepest before he won the award in 2008.