With the NBA’s Summer League all wrapped up for 2023, we now have a better idea of how the Rookie of the Year race is shaping up.
While San Antonio Spurs first-overall pick Victor Wembanyama still leads the field, his primary challenger cemented himself as a viable threat during the July exhibition slate.
As we look over the updated Rookie of the Year odds on DraftKings, we can track where there has been movement since after the 2023 NBA Draft in June. A lot of folks still have the same numbers, but others have had some movement, good and bad.
Let’s see what the odds look like now.
Rising: Chet Holmgren
AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
Odds Change: +450 → +350
Summer League Stats: 20.5 PPG, 56% shooting, 9.5 RPG
This year’s NBA Summer League belonged to Holmgren despite all the Victor Wembanyama hype, as the 2022 draft pick acclimated himself well to the court after missing last season with injury.
Right now, he’s risen to Wembanyama’s primary rival for Rookie of the Year. The Oklahoma City Thunder have a star on their hands.
Rising: Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Odds Change: +10000→ +7500
Summer League Stats: 22 points, 3 rebounds in one game
Jaquez Jr. used his Summer League reps to boost his Rookie of the Year odds a good bit, as the Miami Heat have to be happy with what he’ll bring to the roster this fall after he notched 22 points and three rebounds in one full game.
Jaquez Jr. could be a key cog in helping the Heat maintain dominance in the Eastern Conference, and his ROY odds jump reflects that.
Rising: Dereck Lively
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Odds Change: N/A→ +5000
Summer League Stats: 8.4 PPG, 68% shooting, 8 RPG
Lively strangely wasn’t listed among the Rookie of the Year candidates when he got drafted last month, but his Summer League play has him with +5000 odds going into the season.
He’ll be a key factor on a Dallas Mavericks team that will need him to make a push in the Western Conference. How he impacts that effort will determine if his odds rise or fall.
Rising: Sasha Vezenkov
NIKOLA KRSTIC/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
Odds Change: N/A→ +3000
The Sacramento Kings acquired Vezenkov’s draft rights in 2022 and signed him to a three-year deal this summer.
The EuroLeague MVP joined the rookie race a bit later in the process, but he’s firmly in the mix to contend for the honor this season in Sacramento.
Rising: Vasilije Micić
Pedja Milosavljevic/AFP via Getty Images
Odds Change: N/A→ +3500
Micić will make his NBA debut this year after being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2020, as he recently signed with the team on a three-year deal.
His odds move him right to the middle of the pack for Rookie of the Year, even if he’s firmly behind Holmgren as far as rookie Thunder players go.
Falling: Victor Wembanyama
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Odds Change: -225 → -130
Summer League Stats: 18 PPG, 40.7% shooting, 10 RPG
While Wembanyama is still the clear favorite to win Rookie of the Year next year, the San Antonio Spurs draft pick has ceded a bit of ground to Holmgren.
It’s shaping up to be a battle between him, Holmgren and Scoot Henderson for the honor, and Holmgren will most likely have the better team around him.
Falling: Scoot Henderson
Christopher Creveling/USA TODAY Sports
Odds Change: +350 → +400
Summer League Stats: 15 PPG, 38.5 shooting, 5 RPG
Holmgren’s bump up to Wembanyama’s main challenger moves Henderson down just a bit to the third spot, where his odds have fallen just a tick.
Portland Trail Blazers fans have plenty to be excited for with Henderson, but oddsmakers aren’t quite as bullish as they were.
Falling: Brandon Miller
Lucas Peltier/USA TODAY Sports
Odds Change: +950 → +1200
Summer League Stats: 17.3 PPG, 35.4% shooting, 8.3 RPG
Miller’s Rookie of the Year odds took a bit of a tumble after Summer League play, which may have more to do with Wemby, Holmgren and Henderson cementing themselves as the top contenders for the honor.
However, the Charlotte Hornets draft pick could always pick his odds back up with a strong start to the regular season.
