New Orleans Pelicans: NBA season awards odds and predictions

New Orleans Pelicans: Odds for NBA season awards

Rookie of the Year

Dyson Daniels: +4000

Daniels certainly doesn’t have the hype that some of the other rookies in his class have, but he does have one advantage, which is that he is the only one of the top guys who is on a good team.

This seemed to matter last season, as voters rewarded Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes, who were on playoff teams, over Cade Cunningham, who had a bigger role on a bad team.

Daniels could be that guy this year, as he has already shown rotation-ready defense, and may end up with a big role on a playoff team.

It would still be a long shot though, as one of the other guys is inevitably going to have superior scoring numbers and get more attention from the media.

But after seeing Daniels in preseason, I still like this as a long shot bet where a $10 wager (if it is legal where you live) would net you $400.

Defensive Player of the Year

Herb Jones: +4600

Jones’ defense definitely got some buzz last season, especially after the way he played in the playoffs, but he was still left off the All-Defensive teams even though the numbers show he was one of the best wing stoppers in the NBA.

But Jones is not a household name by any means and would have to beat out guys like Rudy Gobert, Giannis Antetokounmpo and others who are much more known around the league.

Those odds are a little low to make this a great value bet, though they are the same as Kawhi Leonard’s. I do think Jones will make the All-Defense team for the first time this season, but he’s probably a year or two away from getting real DPOY consideration.