NBA Betting: Can Chet Holmgren Win Rookie of the Year?

OKC Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren is primed for a strong rookie season. Will it be enough for Rookie of the Year honors?

The Oklahoma City Thunder have quickly built a notorious young core. They've got a solid amount of high-potential players, with marquee names like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. 

Though drafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Holmgren will play this next season as a rookie after suffering a season-ending injury before last season tipped off. 

So, as a former No. 2 overall pick, one would assume Holmgren will be in the running for the Rookie of the Year award. According to DraftKings, he holds +350 odds to win the award, the second most among rookies.

First off, the 7-footer will be the fourth option offensively most nights, and counting stats matter immensely when it comes to winning NBA awards. Holmgren will have to find ways to be efficient when scoring.

Outside of scoring the ball, Holmgren will be incredibly beneficial to the Thunder winning games. His paint and rim presence is enough to turn teams away from driving, and he will hunt down plenty of blocks.

One part of taking these awards is gaining recognition. This should be no issue for Holmgren, as he often racks up blocks in style. He will constantly make highlight reels with his game-changing, emphatic blocks.

The defensive impact and the ways he changes the offense will be enough for Holmgren to make a run for the trophy if all goes as expected in the upcoming season and he remains healthy, but he will have competition.

Atop the odds to take home the hardware is San Antonio Spurs' forward Victor Wembanyama, who is often compared as a prospect to LeBron James from his high school days. He's got -130 odds to win the award. If he's able to make the impact he's expected to have, Holmgren will have a tough time overtaking the hype and earning the award. 

However, if Wembanyama falls short of expectations, Holmgren could use that to his advantage if he surprises enough people.

Another prospect to take home Rookie of the Year is Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, who has the third-best odds for the award, closely trailing Holmgren at +400. Henderson, assuming a Damian Lillard trade takes place, will have his own team in year one, an advantage both Wembanyama and Henderson have over Holmgren. 

If Henderson fills Lillard's void as a primary scorer that carries the team, his counting stats and impact will be where they are needed for the award.

Holmgren could grab an advantage over both players if his stats are solid and his team is in a prime playoff position. Winning meaningful basketball games and bolstering his team to a secure playoff spot will prove Holmgren's value, further helping his chances to win the award.

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