Based on his potential, the Philadelphia 76ers drafted Ben Simmons No. 1 overall in June's NBA Draft. And based on his potential, Vegas believes Simmons will end up becoming the 2016-17 Rookie of the Year.
According to oddsmaker Bovada, Simmons and Pelicans' shooter Buddy Hield have the best odds at winning the rookie of the year award:
Ben Simmons (PHI) 13/4
Buddy Hield (NO) 11/2
Brandon Ingram (LAL) 13/2
Kris Dunn (MIN) 15/2
Jamal Murray (DEN) 12/1
Denzel Valentine (CHI) 12/1
Joel Embiid (PHI) 14/1
Wade Baldwin (MEM) 16/1
Marquese Chriss (PHO) 16/1
Thon Maker (MIL) 16/1
Taurean Prince (ATL) 16/1
Dragan Bender (PHO) 20/1
Jaylen Brown (BOS) 20/1
Brice Johnson (LAC) 20/1
Caris LeVert (BKN) 20/1
Malachi Richardson 20/1
Jakob Poeltl (TOR) 25/1
Domantas Sabonis (OKC) 28/1
Simmons being at the top of the list is not surprising. He will likely immediately be in the starting lineup for the Sixers and get plenty of playing time. Also with Philadelphia's current roster, the Sixers will likely lean on Simmons a lot more than other teams will rely on their respective rookies.
Hield is also in the running for the award because he fills a legitimate need in New Orleans as a shooter. Also if both Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson leave in free agency, Hield will have to step in right away and play heavy minutes.
The rest of the odds seem pretty straightforward. Ingram and Dunn should do well for their respective teams but likely won't make the same year one impact as Simmons and perhaps Hield. Of course none of these rookies have even played a single game yet so anything can happen. As of now though, Vegas believes in Simmons over the rest of his draft class.
