NBA Rookie of the Year 2025-26: Cooper Flagg becomes early frontrunner
Here's our list of potential Rookie of the Year winners ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.
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2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year odds
Before we discuss the list of candidates, let's consider who sportsbooks consider the best odds to win NBA Rookie of the Year.
Here are the players with the best odds to win NBA ROTY in 2026:
Player
NBA ROY odds
Cooper Flagg
-185
Dylan Harper
+900
Ace Bailey
+950
VJ Edgecombe
+1200
Tre Johnson
+1200
Kon Knueppel
+4000
Jeremiah Fears
+4000
Egor Demin
+4000
Kasparas Jakucionis
+5000
Derik Queen
+5000
Khaman Maluach
+7500
Walter Clayton Jr.
+8000
Below is Sportsnaut's list of NBA Rookie of the Year candidates for the 2025-26 season.
Related: Highest-paid WNBA players in 2025
1. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
As the consensus choice for the No. 1 overall pick, seeing Cooper Flagg favored to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award should come as no surprise. As a do-it-all talent, Flagg will fit in seamlessly next to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.
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2. Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Utah Jazz's rotation is wide open, which could lead to immediate production from Ace Bailey. Of course, there could be growing pains for the former Rutgers star, but the potential to win the ROY award is certainly there.
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3. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
While Victor Wembanyama is still the unquestioned leader of the San Antonio Spurs, the arrival of Dylan Harper will make things easier on the freakishly long center. Harper's ability to score with ease while still offering help as a distributor could make him a top ROTY contender, even with the presence of Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox.
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4. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
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The only reason why VJ Edgecombe isn't higher is because of the presence of Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, plus Paul George. Otherwise, as a pure prospect, Edgecombe's ceiling is that of a potential superstar; we're just not sure he'll get enough minutes right away.
5. Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
With minutes wide open on the Washington Wizards, there is no reason why Tre Johnson can't capitalize on his opportunity. While Johnny Davis wasn't able to fill Bradley Beal's footsteps as the next great shooting guard in Washington, Johnson is a deadeye who should get plenty of shots up for the Wizards as a rookie.
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6. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Always in the hunt for more shooters, the Charlotte Hornets may have gotten the best one in the draft with Kon Knueppel. Even if his shot somehow doesn't fall right away, Knueppel's added ability to draw fouls and pick up more points from the free throw line should offer steady production.
7. Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jeremiah Fears may run into accuracy issues in his rookie season, but he should get more than enough opportunities to either fail or succeed with DeJounte Murray set to miss a large chunk of the season. Plus, Fears' quickness may be able to lead to some easy buckets each game.
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8. Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
As one of two centers set to receive major minutes in Phoenix, Khaman Maluach's role could quickly grow as a rookie. Maluach's 7-foot-2 frame offers immediate potential to be a top rim protector on top of being a true lob threat for Devin Booker.
9. Egor Demin, Washington Wizards
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Egor Demin's size alone makes him an intriguing talent for any NBA team. Like many other prospects on this list, Demin has a huge opportunity ahead on a Brooklyn Nets team that traded Cam Johnson. Of course, there could be a long learning curve for the Russian native as he acclimates to playing in the NBA, but previous stints with Real Madrid and even attending BYU could speed things up.
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Related: NBA Power Rankings: Evaluating every team
10. Kasparas Jakucionis, Miami Heat
Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat are well-known for developing talent, yet Erik Spoelstra doesn't care whether you were a first-round pick or an undrafted tryout; the best players see the floor. If Jakucionis can quickly prove he belongs, the Heat could have a valued first-round rookie contributor for the second year in a row.
Who won the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year?
After leading all first-year players by averaging 14.7 PPG, Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs won the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year award. Castle became the second consecutive Spurs first-round pick to win ROTY, and now Dylan Harper aims to become the third.
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Has anyone won MVP and Rookie of the Year NBA?
Both Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld have won MVP and Rookie of the Year in the NBA in the same season. A total of 16 players have won both throughout their careers. But doing so in the same year hasn't been done since Unseld in 1969.
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