NBA Awards: Paolo Banchero Heavy Favorite for Rookie of the Year

Before the season began, Banchero was the early favorite at +190 odds on DraftKings NBA Awards board. Forward Keegan Murray from the Sacramento Kings was a close second at +450 odds after he won the MVP of the Summer League in Las Vegas. Murray has slipped to +1000 odds, while Banchero saw his odds vastly improve.Paolo Banchero -450

Heading into the 2022 NBA Draft, forward Jabari Smith from Auburn was the consensus betting favorite to become the first player selected. The Magic surprised all the experts and fans, especially Banchero, when they made the Duke forward the #1 pick in the NBA Draft. The Houston Rockets drafted Smith when he slipped to the #3 pick.

The Magic s scouts look like geniuses right now, after Banchero emerged as an impact player for the young Magic. Banchero was inserted into the starting lineup on opening night, and he lit up the Detroit Pistons for 27 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.

Banchero leads all in scoring, averaging 21.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game in 17 starts this season. His 3-point shooting needs work, with a 25.8% success rate. But that s always the big knock against rookies adjusting to a deeper 3-point line versus college. Banchero is shooting 46% from the floor and 72.3% from the 3-point line.

Banchero dropped 33 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in an overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings in early November for his best all-around game this season. He became the first teenager since LeBron James to accomplish a 33-point and 16-rebound performance.

Banchero, who recently turned 20-years old, already looks like he s been playing in the league for a couple of years. So long as he remains healthy, Banchero is the front-runner to get named the Rookie of the Year at -450 odds.