NBA Rookie of the 12 months Longshots: These Gamers May Upset Cooper Flagg

It’s fairly doable the general high quality of NBA rookies final season might need been the worst in NBA historical past.

Yeah, that’s saying quite a bit. However have a look at the names of the fellows voted onto the All-Rookie first group:

Stephon Citadel, Zaccharie Risacher, Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey, and Alex Sarr.

They’re as onerous to spell as they’re to pronounce. And so they have been even tougher to observe.

Heck, even John Calipari wouldn’t recruit that fearless fivesome.

Not that they have been dangerous decisions, thoughts you. The second group was far uglier.

Citadel was a near-unanimous alternative as Rookie of the 12 months regardless of averaging simply 14.7 factors, capturing 29 p.c on 3-pointers, and enjoying for a group that, regardless of the presence of Victor Wembanyama, did not make the playoffs.

If final yr’s rookie class had something going for it, it’s this:

It is likely to be higher than this yr’s group.

Sure, the brand new freshman pledges are led by a blue-chipper, Cooper Flagg. He’s extra of a lock to win Rookie of the 12 months honors than Wembanyama was two years in the past.

Predicting Flagg will stroll away with this yr’s {hardware} is kid’s play. Profiting on it’s a bit more durable.

Flagg is a minus-225 favourite within the present BetMGM listings. In layman’s phrases, that’s a $225 funding with an opportunity of profitable solely $100.

On the baseball diamond, that’s slightly like Clayton Kershaw pitching towards the Rockies.

Alas, a shrewd businessman would observe: Investing $225 for six months and getting $325 in return six months later is a 44-percent return in your funding. The place else are you able to get that?

After all, that’s presuming your financial institution doesn’t go bankrupt. Or on this case, Flagg doesn’t play the season at half-staff.

If the brand new Maverick have been to contract Anthony Davis-itis whereas in Dallas and missed 18 or extra video games – which might make him ineligible for NBA honors – then unexpectedly an enormous pot of Flagg funding cash could be up for grabs.

That may be a longshot seeker’s dream.

Ah, now I obtained your consideration. So, in the event you’re trying to threat slightly to make quite a bit, listed below are 4 present ponies that might upset (pun supposed) Man ‘o Battle this season:

Jeremiah Fears, Pelicans (+10000)

New Orleans appears to have determined to tank this season. We’ll know for positive after they commerce Zion Williamson for Jonathan Kuminga and a few draft picks in a couple of months. However for now: It’s a tug-of-war between Jordan Poole and Fears to see who bogarts probably the most photographs. Fears is greater and stronger, and that might result in the 20-point scoring common that will get votes at season’s finish.

Yang Hansen, Path Blazers (+6000)

Followers flocked to Las Vegas final summer season to get up-close-and-personal with Bronny James, and most obtained precisely what they anticipated – one other LeBron flop. This yr, the star attraction in Vegas was Yang, and what some consider they witnessed was a second coming of Yao Ming. The 7-foot-1 Chinese language import blocked photographs, handed the ball unselfishly, and even buried 3-pointers. 

He’s assured eyeballs – and enjoying time – on a Portland group that, not like New Orleans, must be aggressive.

Nikola Matter, Thunder (+10,000)

Don’t overlook that this yr’s rookie class isn’t the identical as this yr’s draft class. So long as you have not performed within the NBA, you continue to get ROOKIE stamped in your brow this season. Matter was one other of Sam Presti’s good draft-and-stashes final yr. He’s skilled and seems able to step in when final season’s league chief in touch – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – takes one too many hits this time round.

Ace Bailey, Jazz (+1500)

This yr’s draft was uncommon in that the highest three picks – Flagg, Dylan Harper, and VJ Edgecombe – have been all chosen by groups more likely to make the playoffs. That would (particularly with the latter two) lower into enjoying time. However no such points for the No. 5 decide, Bailey, who’s more likely to problem Fears for the excellence of scoring probably the most meaningless fourth-quarter factors within the league. 

Hey, all of them rely in an unsightly Rookie of the 12 months race.