There was much uncertainty surrounding the 2020 NBA draft class, and thanks to this, the race for the Rookie of the Year award is expected to be a tight one.
As reported by theScore, the Knicks’ hometown player and 8th overall pick, Obi Toppin, has the second-best odds to take home the award. Toppin is +500 to win, trailing only LaMelo Ball who sits at +390. Ball is the favorite after winning the NBL’s Rookie of the Year award last season. Toppin is closely followed by Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman who sit at +550 and +600 respectively.
Toppin averaged 20 ppg and 7.5 reb during his second season with the University of Dayton. Let’s hope that his extra years in college, coupled with his NBA ready body, allow his game to translate easier to the next level. He could become the fourth Knick to win the ROTY Award joining Patrick Ewing, Mark Jackson, and fellow 8th pick Willis Reed. Players who made their NBA debut in the bubble last season will also be eligible for this season’s ROTY award, meaning players like Bol Bol of the Denver Nuggets have a shot at winning.
Unlike last year, there is no overwhelming favorite to win ROTY this year. Zion Williamson was given odds of -250 by Bleacher Report before the start of last season, but Memphis’ Ja Morant ultimately took home the prize. Coincidentally, Toppin’s odds of winning are very close to what new teammate RJ Barrett’s odds were last year. Barrett was +450 to win ROTY last season. Can Toppin have a better rookie season than Barrett and bring home the award? We’ll have to wait and see how quickly he can adapt his game and how he is utilized in Tom Thibodeau’s system.
Check out CP’s prediction for how the Knicks’ lineup and rotation will look along with J. Ellis from The Knick of Time Show, and the KFTV breakdown of Obi Toppin below.
