Malik Monk (Kentucky) shows off the inside of his suit jacket as he is introduced as the number eleven overall pick to the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
The obvious candidates to win the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year award do not interest us. We could write a million words about Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, and Ben Simmons (remember him?) and how they're the obvious picks to lock down the honor of being the best first-year player in the league this upcoming season. NBA GMs, for their money, think it's Lonzo's to lose. Dennis Smith Jr. is another logical choice, but his odds are 4.5-1.
We like to dig a little deeper and give some shine to guys who just might surprise us all (kind of like Malcolm Brogdon last year). So just like we did with our dark horse NBA MVP candidates, we surveyed the Vegas odds for the ROY and chose a bunch of stars with odds of 8-1 or greater who might have a legit shot at snatching it away from the frontrunners.
And just like we urged you last week, peruse our list of dark horse NBA Rookie of the Year candidates and place your wagers accordingly because the season starts in less than two weeks.
De'Aaron Fox: 8-1
De'Aaron Fox told us before the draft that he was the best player available. So there's that. But when it comes to his actual game, let the blur with the basketball, and maybe the best athlete amongst the rookies, didn't take long to show he's got legit skills. Now—full disclaimer—I'm not putting too much into the preseason, but the fifth pick in June's draft already said he felt comfortable in his first NBA game as he finished with 16 points, 2 assists, 1 board, 1 steal, and 1 block in 17 minutes of action the other night. And a rookie feeling like he belongs on the court during his first true taste of the NBA isn't always the norm. Just ask Jaylen Brown. So if Fox plays an excellent point, puts up some respectable numbers, and can lead the Kings to around 35 wins—three more than last season's total and 7.5 more than Vegas has Sacramento projected right now—then why not give the kid from Kentucky the crown? — A.C.
Jayson Tatum: 8-1
Tatum is the most complete player in the draft; think a more athletic Carmelo Anthony in terms all the ways he can score. Now take his skills and match ‘em up with a talented roster like the Celtics have, and you have an environment where he can flourish. Playing alongside established stars as Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving will give Tatum plenty of opportunity to wreak havoc in one-on-one situations. Punch him in for 16 points a game in 25-30 minutes of action a night. Sounds like Rookie of the Year to me. — A.D.
Josh Jackson: 8-1
Malik Monk: 15-1
Malik Monk averaged nearly 20 points per game in his one year at Kentucky, including an absurd 47 points in just his 11th college game. Yet he still dropped to 11th in a loaded draft in which his freshman backcourt mate, Fox, went fifth. In Charlotte, Monk will pair with Kemba Walker in an explosive score-first backcourt as Dwight Howard embarks on his latest redemption tour. Monk should have plenty of opportunities to both score and set up (not to mention learn from His Airness). Provided he gets the minutes—and he should—Monk could be this year’s Paul Pierce, a talented rookie with a draft-motivated chip on his shoulder. — R.B.
Harry Giles: 25-1
Harry Giles' high school career was book-ended by ACL tears, but his mettle was already proven, to the point where he was still the No. 1 overall consensus recruit. Shoot, he already has three gold FIBA medals playing for Team USA. Despite the 6'11" center averaging only 4 points and 4 rebounds in 11 minutes a game during his lone season at Duke, he declared for the draft and was taken in the first round, 20th overall. Let his self-confidence—and Peja Stojakovic's comparison of Giles to Chris Webber—be a sign that this longshot could be the one to bet on. — D.R.