There are plenty of good rookies to check out in the 2015-16 NBA season. Here’s a look at some top rookies to watch for in terms of the players with the best possible odds.
Emmanuel Mudiay – NBA Denver
The Denver Nuggets’ Emmanuel Mudiay is the +400 favorite in the gambling odds to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. The native of the Democractic Republic of the Congo played for the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China, a move similar to what Brandon Jennings did. His draft stock fell after being injured for part of the last year but he is still a favorite for fans to watch for.
Jahlil Okafor – Philadelphia
The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Jahlil Okafor out of Duke this year. He has +400 odds to win the top rookie honor. Although he played with the Blue Devils for only one year, he has an NCAA championship as well as various honors including the co-MVP of the 2014 McDonald’s All-American Game, the 2015 ACC player of the year and national awards from USA Today and Parade.
Karl-Anthony Towns – NBA Minnesota
Karl-Anthony Towns is hoping to end the Minnesota Timberwolves’ extended playoff drought. The Kentucky star was the top overall pick in the draft although his odds for being the league’s top rookie are only +600, according to NBA betting oddsmakers. He was a popular player for the Wildcats although the team was already filled with plenty of talent, what with six other Wildcats declaring for the NBA Draft in that same year.
D’Angelo Russell – Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to get a new star for the team for when Kobe Bryant inevitably retired. D’Angelo Russell may be the best option for the Lakers. The first round pick, who has +600 odds to be the league’s top rookie, had nearly twenty points per game with Ohio State this past year. He was a first-team All-American last year and was the top freshman in the Big Ten last year.
Stanley Johnson – Detroit
The Detroit Pistons’ Stanley Johnson has +1000 odds to be the league’s best rookie. He had nearly fourteen points per game for Arizona during this past year.