NBA rookie of the year longshots: players who could upset Cooper Flagg

Show summary Hide summary

• Why Cooper Flagg is the odds-on pick — and where the risk lives
• Longshot candidates who could cash if circumstances swing their way
  • Jeremiah Fears — New Orleans’ newcomer with scoring upside (+10000)
  • Yang Hansen — Portland’s international size and curiosity (+6000)
  • Nikola Topic — the veteran “rookie” with a hidden edge (+10000)
  • Ace Bailey — steady scoring upside on a solid team (+1500)
• Smart ways to approach Rookie of the Year futures — bankroll and strategy
• Early-season signals that change the ROY picture
• Which bets offer the best risk-reward for different bettors?
• Where to monitor odds and get timely moves

Last season’s rookie crop left plenty of fans squinting. The All-Rookie First Team read like an international spelling bee—names that were memorable more for their novelty than their nightly dominance—and few newcomers delivered the kind of breakthrough seasons that change narratives.

Still, the betting market has already crowned a frontrunner for 2025–26 Rookie of the Year. That favorite’s pedigree is undeniable, but futures markets are built for uncertainty. If you prefer longshots with big upside, a few overlooked rookies could turn a small wager into a major payday.

Why Cooper Flagg is the odds-on pick — and where the risk lives

Cooper Flagg entered the league with a rare combination of size, skill and hype, and sportsbooks have reacted the way they usually do to hyped blue-chippers: by putting him well ahead of the field. Many books list him around -225, which translates to a heavy favorite status — roughly a $225 bet to win $100.

That price reflects real upside. Flagg projects as an immediate impact player who can shoulder scoring, defense and playmaking responsibilities. But heavy favorites bring two predictable complications for bettors:

• Low payout relative to risk: The potential return is small unless you stake a large amount.
• Availability risk: Missing the games matter. NBA eligibility rules for awards mean an injury or a long stint off the court could open the door for value bets on alternates.

Bottom line: Flagg is a sensible pick for most fans, but he’s not the only pathway to profit—especially if you’re willing to back longshots that benefit from opportunity or playing-time swings.

Longshot candidates who could cash if circumstances swing their way

Jeremiah Fears — New Orleans’ newcomer with scoring upside (+10000)

Landing on a Pelicans roster in flux can be a blessing for a scorer. Fears has the size and assertiveness to take looks late in games, and New Orleans’ offseason direction suggests they won’t be shy about experimenting with lineups. If the Pelicans ease into a rebuild or give Fears extended minutes beside veteran ball-handlers, he could put up counting stats that attract ROY voters.

• Why the shot at value: Massive odds reflect limited expectations from oddsmakers, not necessarily a lack of talent.
• What would help: A clear role increase, frequent fourth-quarter appearances, and sustained efficiency.

Yang Hansen — Portland’s international size and curiosity (+6000)

Yang turned heads at summer events with a mix of rim protection, passing instincts and an expanding perimeter game. On a Trail Blazers team that will offer minutes to any promising big who can defend and stretch the floor, Yang should see enough opportunities to make a national impression.

• Why he’s interesting: Bigs who can block shots and hit the occasional 3 get attention in team systems that value spacing.
• Possible catalyst: Early-season minutes due to injuries or a coach’s experiment with small-ball rotations.

Nikola Topic — the veteran “rookie” with a hidden edge (+10000)

Not all rookies are true freshmen. Topic spent time overseas after being drafted, and now he qualifies as an NBA rookie despite his pro experience. That seasoning can make a difference when opportunity knocks: he’s a likely rotational candidate on a Thunder squad that sometimes needs fresh bodies to plug holes defensively or keep offensive rhythm when starters rest or get banged up.

• Edge: Professional polish and readiness to step into minutes without a long learning curve.
• Trigger event: Multiple injuries or minutes management for starters that force the rotation to adjust.

Ace Bailey — steady scoring upside on a solid team (+1500)

Picked in the top five, Bailey lands on a team that expects to compete. That usually means fewer blowout minutes for rookies, but it also means a chance to accumulate meaningful statistics in meaningful moments—especially if he becomes his team’s go-to late-game scorer in close contests. At +1500, Bailey offers a middle ground between the heavy favorite and the lottery-ticket plays.

• Why he could surprise: Consistent scoring, a defined offensive role, and durability.
• Key indicator: Early-season usage rate and fourth-quarter touch share.

Smart ways to approach Rookie of the Year futures — bankroll and strategy

Betting ROY futures is as much about process as it is about player evaluation. Here are pragmatic steps to consider:

1. Allocate a small, separate bankroll specifically for futures — this keeps longshots from wrecking your short-term cash flow.
2. Consider multiple tickets: one small wager on the favorite and a couple of longshot plays. That balances safety and upside.
3. Watch early-season minutes closely. The first 15–25 games reveal roles and rotation trends that determine who is really in the running.
4. Shop lines across sportsbooks. Odds can vary significantly for the same player, so low-effort line shopping increases expected value.

Early-season signals that change the ROY picture

Not every promising scenario requires a player to average 20 points. Often, award voters respond to visibility and narrative—players who play key minutes for teams fighting for wins or who post standout counting stats. Keep an eye on:

• Minutes per game and usage rate trends.
• Fourth-quarter minutes and clutch opportunities.
• Injury reports for incumbent starters that could create extended chances for rookies.
• National TV appearances—performance under the spotlight accelerates narratives.

Which bets offer the best risk-reward for different bettors?

Your risk tolerance should guide how you allocate pounds and pennies:

• Conservative bettors: A modest stake on the favorite (Flagg) plus a small hedge on a mid-priced candidate like Ace Bailey.
• Value-seekers: Spread your ticket across a few big longshots such as Jeremiah Fears or Nikola Topic; you only need one to hit hard.
• Speculators: Go heavier on single longshots you identified as likely to get an opportunity—especially if early-season news favors them.

Where to monitor odds and get timely moves

For anyone serious about exploiting market inefficiencies, real-time odds monitoring matters. Use multiple sportsbooks and follow rotation reports, injury updates, and depth-chart changes. When a starter hits the infirmary or a team signals a rebuild, futures lines can shift dramatically—sometimes within hours.

You might also like:

• NBA rookie of the year: Kon Knueppel now favorite over Cooper Flagg
• NBA MVP 2025 longshot bets: odds, predictions and best value picks
• American League rookie of the year likely to come from AL Central
• Cooper Flagg gives Mavericks fans hope after Luka Doncic trade
• 2026 NBA awards at risk of gambling influence