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The most memorable part of the 2024 NBA Draft may be when it mercifully ends, as no one in this draft is expected to be among the better players in basketball.
Thirty-two players were drafted Wednesday, and while many of them are raw talents unlikely to contribute to winning basketball early, someone will still need to win NBA Rookie of the Year.
The Wizards’ No. 2 pick, Alexandre Sarr, is the clear favorite at the top of the FanDuel oddsboard, at +450 odds, ahead of No.1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher (+600).
Sarr is expected to inherit plenty of touches for the Wizards, who are tearing their roster down to the studs with the hope it again will pick in the top five in a better 2025 draft.
On average, each NBA Draft produces 5.4 players on average that will reach an All-Star team, according to Monumental Sports.
No draft from 2000-20 has produced fewer than three All-Stars.
With this draft being historically bereft of talent, it doesn’t mean that no one in the draft will be an All-Star-caliber player.
2025 NBA Rookie of the Year odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Alexandre Sarr | +450 |
| Zaccharie Risacher | +600 |
| Stephon Castle | +750 |
| Matas Buzelis | +850 |
| Reed Sheppard | 10/1 |
| Dalton Knecht | 10/1 |
| Tidjane Saiaun | 12/1 |
| Zach Edey | 12/1 |
| Rob Dillingham | 20/1 |
| Donovan Clingan | 20/1 |
| Cody Williams | 20/1 |
| Ron Holland | 20/1 |
Even the biggest haters of this year’s draft will have to admit that at least one player will wind up having made an All-Star team, and it’s even more likely that multiple players reach that ceiling.
Opportunity is everything when betting on this award.
Sarr is the rightful favorite, and considering several of the players at the top of the market’s odds include non-starters and players who may have few shot-making opportunities, there are only a few options to bet on here.
Sarr at +450 odds is actually solid value when you realize how horrific the Wizards should be in 2024-25.
He could easily take 15 shots a game as Washington goes into full tank mode.
Meanwhile, Castle has an excellent opportunity for the Spurs, where he may start out of the gate for coach Gregg Popovich.
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For now, Sarr is my bet at +450, but you could do much worse than a shot at Castle (+750).
Keep a close eye on Castle in training camp before investing in him, he should be able to carve out a sizable role for the Spurs assuming they don’t make wholesale moves in free agency.
PICK: Alexandre Sarr Rookie of the Year (+450, FanDuel)