Scoot Henderson declared this week that he intends to take home the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award in 2024, and he should be in a good position to do so.
Assuming the Trail Blazers trade Damian Lillard before the season begins, Henderson is primed to play a key role in the backcourt for a Portland team that figures to take a step back and focus more on developing its young cornerstones than vying for a high seed in the Western Conference. In that scenario, this year’s No. 3 overall pick would have the ball in his hands a lot and would be given the opportunity to take on considerable scoring and play-making responsibilites as a rookie.
Unsurprisingly though, betting site BetOnline.ag doesn’t consider Henderson the Rookie of the Year favorite. That spot belongs to No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama, widely considered the best prospect to enter the NBA since LeBron James.
Like LeBron in 2003, Wembanyama is considered a safe bet to make an immediate impact. While San Antonio will likely manage his workload, especially in back-to-back scenarios, he should play a significant frontcourt role on a retooling Spurs team that intends to build around him for years to come. It’s possible Wembanyama won’t match Henderson’s scoring numbers as a rookie, but he has a better chance to be a two-way force in his first NBA season.
While Wembanyama (-150) and Henderson (+250) are the two Rookie of the Year frontrunners, BetOnline.ag considers Thunder big man Chet Holmgren (+325) a legitimate contender too. The No. 2 overall pick in 2022, Holmgren missed his entire rookie season due to a foot injury, putting him in position to essentially get a second rookie year in 2023/24.
Holmgren likely won’t be asked to carry much of the offensive load for an Oklahoma City team that has plenty of scoring options, but his ability to protect the rim and block shots could make him an ideal fit for the Thunder, who could have used that sort of player last season (they ranked 22nd in blocks per game).
Holmgren’s year of NBA seasoning off the court could work in his favor, as could a strong year from the Thunder, who came one play-in game away from a postseason spot last season. Playing a key role on a playoff team helped swing the Rookie of the Year vote in Scottie Barnes‘ favor in 2022, for instance.
While BetOnline.ag views them as longer shots, other rookies who were drafted in the lottery in June, including Hornets forward Brandon Miller and the Thompson twins, could make a run at Rookie of the Year honors too.
We want to know what you think. Who’s your early pick for Rookie of the Year in 2023/24? Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts!
Wemby is a bad bet due to all the talk about how many games the Spurs might sit him. It reminds me of Embiid’s first year actually playing. He was clearly the best rookie, but only played like 45 games.
Obviously a slow day for NBA news….
no s**t? it’s the offseason
Wemby is going to have to adjust to playing in North America against actual competition. He will likely be the best player in the long run, but I wouldn’t count on an immediate impact, especially if intended usage reports are to be believed.
Rookie of the year will be someone not named. Rookies on teams with no established culture or winning players will put up huge numbers at low efficiency and win.
Wemby’s thinnish frame is cause for injury concern so I am going with Scoot.
Scoot is NBA ready ……. with Dame gone.
It’s his to lose. Wemby is yrs away from making an impact. Chet looks good. But I wonder how much he will really play.
Years away from making an impact Al???
Even if it takes him a year or two to find his offensive game, he will be a distruttive force defensively from game one.
Betting against Wemby right now is unwise.
I’m betting on Scoot almost solely because there’s a lot of stuff flying around about the Spurs limiting his minutes, games, or role to ease him into the NBA. And Scoot is basically being given the green light from day one. Wemby is gonna be great, but he’s going to be more of a defensive type at first imo. Scoot has a more developed offensive game.
Cam Whitmore, yes I said it lol