Fellow punters, betters, gamblers and NBA sh*t-talkers, Bovada has released some updated odds for the 2017 rookie of the year race. To no one’s surprise, the no.1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Ben Simmons, is an overwhelming favourite at +150. In this edition, Bovada has listed 19 candidates for ROY, led by number 1 overall pick, Australia’s Ben Simmons at +150 with Brandon Ingram, Kris Dunn and Joel Embiid a step below paying +650, +700 and +900 respectively and the rest of the candidates have been given outside odds from +1400 to +5000.

This year’s draft was mostly viewed as being top-heavy, a two-man fight between Simmons and Ingram for the No.1 overall pick with most analysts considering the rest of the draft to be one of the weakest in recent years (sure, if we wipe out the 2013 Anthony Bennett sweepstakes from our minds).

Simmons was the only rookie to make the All-NBA first team in the Las Vegas Summer League this year and while Ingram probably didn’t perform to expectations in the annual Vegas summer league. Both are projected to be at least starter level to All-star level players in the NBA and both should receive a good chunk of minutes from their cellar-dweller teams (Sixers and Lakers) this season. Dunn only played in two Vegas Summer League games but averaged 24 points in those and largely impressed with his ball-handling skills and finishing at the rim. Joel Embiid has yet to play a game in the NBA and therefore qualifies as a rookie this season, but despite reportedly being ready to play this season, he did not play in any summer league games and it’s hard to tell where he truly projects this season as a rookie given his unfortunate foot injuries. Ingram had a less than impressive Summer League outing, often being physically overwhelmed and shooting only 25% on 3 point field goals. With his skill, he was thought to be excelling in coming into the draft, but he did average 12.2 points per game and should receive plenty of court time in Luke Walton’s open, running game style in LA.

The highest risers relative to draft position were Denzel Valentine, drafted 14^th by the Bulls, Brice Johnson drafted 25^th by the Clippers and Kay Felder the 2^nd round, 54^th overall pick taken by the Cavs. Felder stands out among the bunch in Bovada’s ROY shortlist, the only 2^nd round pick considered to have a shot, he averaged 15.3 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game and 3.9 assists per game through 7 games in the Vegas Summer League and most importantly with Matthew Dellavedova leaving for Milwaukee, he is likely to be the first point guard off the bench spotting Kyrie Irving for the defending champs.

Simmons is rightfully the favourite but +150 are really short odds for the Australian. If I could bet the field over Simmons I would (what does that pay?). In any rookie of the year race you need two big factors as a minimum to go your way- the rookie plays enough minutes and stays healthy.

Every year sportsbook Bovada in Las Vegas releases a variety of NBA props during the NBA off season. Bovida released its NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) odds in early August this year and the odds above are the latest edition, current as at September 10, 2016.