Mobley Favored to Win NBA Rookie of the Year

Evan Mobley is Poised to be the First Cleveland Player to Win NBA Rookie of The Year Since Kyrie Irving

A lot of the speculation has been taken out of the NBA Rookie of the Year race. Evan Mobley has been instrumental in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ resurgence this season, and he seems set to be the franchise’s first Rookie of the Year since Kyrie Irving. Mobley would join illustrious company with the win, as Irving and LeBron James are the only other two Cleveland players to win Rookie of the Year.

2022 NBA Rookie of the Year Betting Odds at DraftKings

• Evan Mobley (Cleveland) -650
• Scottie Barnes (Toronto) +500
• Cade Cunningham (Detroit) +600
• Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City) +1800
• Franz Wagner (Orlando) +3000
• All Other Players +10000 or More

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Evan Mobley out of USC with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Mobley became the favorite early in the season as he made an instant impact with the Cavaliers, and he has only increased his lead according to the latest NBA Rookie of the Year betting odds.

Mobley is averaging 14.6 PPG and 8.2 RPG while making 49.9% of his field goals. His presence down low has helped Cleveland become a playoff team this season, and the Cavaliers will be feisty in the postseason. It’s hard to imagine Mobley not being named Rookie of the Year at this point.

Scottie Barnes is the only player that can conceivably chase down Mobley to win this award. We have seen Florida State struggle mightily without Barnes, and the No. 4 pick in the draft has been a big part of Toronto’s success. Barnes is averaging 14.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 3.3 APG, and he plays excellent defense. If Toronto can pass Cleveland in the standings and Barnes is a big reason behind it, he could edge out Mobley to be named ROY.

Preseason favorite Cade Cunningham was the No. 1 pick in last summer’s draft. Cunningham has been solid with Detroit, averaging 16.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 5.2 APG, but he is making just 40% of his shots. Additionally, the Pistons are one of the worst teams in the NBA, so it’s hard to see Cunningham winning this award.

Josh Giddey won Rookie of the Month in the Western Conference every month from November to February, emerging as a dark horse ROY candidate. However, Giddey’s chances have evaporated after he suffered a hip injury two weeks ago. Giddey hasn’t played since February 24, and he will likely miss at least another couple weeks with the injury. Oklahoma City will be safe with its rookie, so Giddey might as well be off the board at this point.