LaMelo ball was the clear betting favorite to win the 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year award until he suffered a potential season ending wrist injury Sunday night. Since then, Ball’s odds to win the award have gotten longer, while Anthony Edwards has now been installed as the betting favorite for the award at multiple sportsbooks.
Currently at FanDuel Sportsbook, Edwards’ odds to win ROY are -175, followed by Ball, who comes in at +200.
LaMelo was averaging 15.9 points per game (PPG), 6.1 assists, and 5.9 assists on the year before getting hurt.
Just how big of a favorite was Ball prior to Sunday?
“Prior to the injury, Ball was -1250 to win ROY and Edwards was at +400,” Patrick Eichner, Director of Communications for PointsBet Sportsbook, said. “After the news on March 21, we adjusted to Ball +110 and Edwards -110.”
After a slow start to the season, Edwards is finding his groove. The high-flying rookie is averaging 16.7 points per game, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists on the season, and is coming off of a 42-point outing last week against the Phoenix Suns.
“Some early sharp money for Edwards quickly moved him further to -150 (Ball out to +150),” Eichner said. “Looking now, Edwards is still at -150 while Ball is at +175.”
Another name to keep an eye on for the award is Tyrese Haliburton. The Sacramento guard comes in third on the oddsboard, at +500 at FanDuel.
There is still a small chance that Ball could return during the regular season, which would possibly shift the odds once more. If you think LaMelo can comeback or that he has already solidified his name as the ROY, he’d be worth a sprinkle at this number.