The 2025 Rookie Class is filled with gems. Cooper Flagg stands atop as the most promising prospect. In fact, he has been labelled as a generational talent, expected to carry the league in the future. Unsurprisingly, he is the #1 candidate for the Rookie of the Year award.
But don’t underestimate talents like Tre Johnson, Dylan Harper, and VJ Edgecombe to win the ROTY award. These players will get better as the season progresses, and who knows if we have one of the tightest ROTY races! Here is a look at the odds related to the NBA 2025-26 Rookie of the Year award, and my pick too.
Flagg has it all to be a ROTY material. The 6’8” above-the-rim athlete can shoot, drive, rebound, and pass at a high rate. He averaged 19.2 PPG, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game during his lone NCAA season with Duke.
He lit up the NCAA tournament with 21 PPG. His long-range shooting showed tremendous shooting, too, as he nailed 1.8 threes per game in the postseason with 50% shooting.
The Mavs’ SF had an underwhelming Summer League debut with 10 points on 23% shooting. But he recovered with a 31-point effort. During his performances, he showed a willingness to be the primary ball-handler.
It can increase his chances of scoring and propel him to the top of the ROTY race. There is no doubt, he looks like the best two-way prospect in the class. He will play alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, but can still score a ton because these players are injury-prone.
Cooper Flagg Rookie of the Year Odds: -225 at BetMGM
Here is the overview of the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds-
| Rookie | BetMGM Odds |
| Cooper Flagg | -225 |
| Tre Johnson | +900 |
| Ace Bailey | +1000 |
| V.J. Edgecombe | +1000 |
| Dylan Harper | +1400 |
| Kon Knueppel | +3000 |
| Jeremiah Fears | +3500 |
| Derik Queen | +3500 |
| Cedric Coward | +3500 |
| Walter Clayton Jr. | +4000 |
Johnson is a killer offensive player. His shot-creation skills make him a scoring machine. Meanwhile, the guard can also jump out of the gym. The athletic SG already is drawing Donovan Mitchell comparisons for his multi-faceted game.
He had amazing numbers in his lone NCAA season with Texas. The guard put up 19.9 PPG, nailing 2.7 triples per game on an excellent 39.7% clip. Johnson was shining brightly during the Summer League.
He averaged 19.5 PPG on 58.2% FG. He nailed 2.5 threes per game on a 45.5% clip. Incredible returns, thus, he has jumped to the second favorite for the ROTY odds.
But there is a huge daylight between him and Flagg. While his scoring is impressive, Johnson is limited as a rebounder, passer, and defender, giving Cooper Flagg a huge edge in the race.
At the same time, as a Washington Wizards guard, Johnson will have the ball a lot in his hands, which can inflate his stats and give him an edge too.
Tre Johnson Rookie of the Year Odds: +900 at BetMGM
Bailey is a pure shot-creator. He can nail tough sidestep, stepback, fadeaway, and leaning jumpers/runners. Perhaps the most versatile shot-creator with a penchant for nailing tough shots. The guard averaged 17.6 PPG on 46% shooting.
The mid-range shot was his go-to method as the guard struggled finishing at the rim (42% on drives). Bailey had just 8 points in his SL debut, but then bounced back with an 18-point performance. While his offense can be inconsistent, Bailey is a terrific rebounder, courtesy of his athleticism.
The Utah Jazz forward averaged 7.2 RPG during his lone NCAA season. The #5 draft pick is this high in the ROTY race because the Jazz lacks shot-creators, and he will have the ball a lot in his hands.
Ace Bailey Rookie of the Year Odds: +1000 at BetMGM
Philadelphia 76ers rookie (#3 pick) V.J. Edgecombe can be the missing piece the franchise needs to break the title funk. Like Tre Johnson, he is a terrific multi-faceted scorer. Edgecombe averaged 15.6 PPG on 43% shooting while making 1.6 triples per game on 34.3% shooting.
These numbers at the college level don’t scream ROTY, but Edgecombe showed huge potential during SL. He averaged 21.5 PPG, scoring 28 in his SL debut. He didn’t shoot well from long range, shooting just 2/14. But he showed all-around potential with 8 RPG and 4 APG.
Overall, Edgecombe can enjoy a big role on a playoff team, considering Joel Embiid is often injured. However, he is #4 in the ROTY race due to certain limitations.
VJ Edgecombe Rookie of the Year Odds: +1000 at BetMGM
The #2 pick, Dylan Harper, is perhaps the best two-way guard in the class. Harper has both athleticism and finesse to make a big name in this league. The guard put up 19.4 PPG on 48.4% shooting.
He is a terrific finisher at the rim, and his budding mid-range game puts Harper in various scoring positions.
Harper is more like an off-guard, which may not mesh with the Spurs’ current need after Chris Paul’s departure. But an injury-prone Victor Wembanyama and a fragile guard lineup can give him plenty of scoring chances.
It can bolster his case for the ROTY award, but he is somehow ranked fifth to win the award. I think he is placed too low.
Dylan Harper Rookie of the Year Odds: +1400 at BetMGM
Flagg is the overwhelming favorite here. There is no doubt that he may finish as the best player in this case. He is the most complete player on both ends after all. But I think Harper can surprise a lot of people.
I reckon the Spurs guard will improve his long-range scoring and emerge as one of the best two-way players in the long term. I see him winning the ROTY award because of the opportunities he will have with the Spurs. It is a risky one, but I’ll go for Harper here.
NBA 2025-26 Rookie of the Year Prediction: Dylan Harper +1400 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
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