The odds, which were released on Friday, have No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz as the third most-likely and No. 5 pick De’Aaron Fox as fourth.
Rookie of the Year odds
- Ball (+250)
- Simmons (+300)
- Fultz (+500)
- Fox (+700)
- Jayson Tatum (+900)
- Josh Jackson (+900)
- Dennis Smith Jr. (+1600)
- Jonathan Isaac (+1600)
- Malik Monk (+1600)
- John Collins (+2000)
- Justin Jackson (+2200)
- Lauri Markkanen (+2200)
Ball, who Magic Johnson dubbed the new face of the Lakers, will be thrust into a prominent role immediately as the Lakers look to dig themselves out of the darkest days in franchise history. The same goes for Simmons and Fultz, who make up two-thirds of the new three-headed monster in Philadelphia, along with Joel Embiid.
Tatum tied with Jackson at No. 5 seems a little high considering he’ll be a rotation player fighting for minutes in Boston. But the talent, specifically on offense, is certainly there. Jackson, on the other hand, will see no shortage of playing time in Phoenix alongside fellow youngsters Devin Booker, Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss.
Article Appeared @https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2017/06/24/lonzo-ball-ben-simmons-nba-rookie-year-favorites/426395001/