Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain didn’t kick off his first pro season among the favorites to win Rookie of the Year, but his recent contributions have helped him climb to the top spot at -140 at BetMGM. The former Duke Blue Devil’s new team has been far from successful because of injuries to key members of its core. Those struggles have helped McCain step into a larger role. He’s thrived in the spotlight that only a few other first-year players can match.
McCain is averaging 16.6 points per game and leads all rookies with 266 total points. His healthy 12.3 shots per game have helped him post some of the best counting stats in his draft class, but he’s not just a shot chucker. McCain is shooting 46.2% from the field and 40% from three-point range. It’s unclear whether that’s sustainable, but both marks are above league average. McCain’s shot diet will likely decrease significantly once Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid are in full swing. He’s made a case for himself as a mainstay in the starting lineup, though.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells is the only other rookie with more than 200 points this season (with 213). He has +3000 odds for Rookie of the Year despite shooting 45.9% from the field and 40.2% from deep. He will likely be relegated to the bench when Memphis can deploy Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, and Desmond Bane together. All three have been in and out of the lineup.
Then there’s Los Angeles Lakers wing Dalton Knecht, who has the second-best odds at +300. The sharpshooter out of Tennessee is shooting a blistering 51.5% from the field and 45% from three-point range. He’s proven to be one of the league’s most prolific snipers early on and the Lakers’ media machine could keep him in Rookie of the Year conversation despite his reserve role.
Other notable names in the race include Atlanta Hawks forward and top pick from the 2024 NBA Draft Zaccharie Risacher (+1100), San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (+1400), and preseason favorite Zach Edey (+2000).
Best Bet: Jared McCain (-140)
This race could change in a major way before the midpoint of the season but McCain is the clear choice right now. He is one of the few players listed who has a good chance to retain a regular starting role while being a driving force on offense. That being said, bettors shouldn’t rush to place McCain wagers just yet. There’s plenty of time left in the season and his role will be adjusted at some point while other rookies get their chances in the spotlight.
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