The Obvious, But Best 2021-2022 NBA Rookie Of The Year Bet

• At +250 on BetMGM, Detroit Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham is the best bet to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

• His usage in Detroit and top-pick status sets him far above other rookie challengers.

Can Anyone Really Challenge Cade Cunningham For ROY?

Cade Cunningham is the clear favorite to win NBA ROY, as is pretty much every No. 1-overall draft pick when they enter their rookie campaign. However, the last first-overall selection to win the award was Ben Simmons in 2018. This is a deep class, with many excellent players like Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs.

To me, Cunningham is the best player who will contribute immediately to his new team in 2022. He also plays a prime position that will get him noticed fairly quickly, and plays for the Detroit Pistons. He'll have to be the man pretty quickly on a team that is lacking in playmaking ability.

Opposing guards will have serious trouble containing Cunningham's ball-handling and off-the-dribble shooting skills at his incredible 6-7, 220-pound frame. Compared to No. 2 pick Jalen Green, Cunningham offers more playmaking and passing potential. He even has the tools to be a plus-defender right away, which is incredibly rare for a rookie.

His +250 odds to win NBA ROY might not be the most intriguing, but I think it offers some value with how great he actually is and how much usage he will have in Detroit.

Jalen Suggs Is A Serious Threat Too

The summer league proved that Jalen Suggs will quickly become the lead guard for the Orlando Magic. If that is the case, look out. He looked confident and aggressive as the lead guard in this new Orlando system, even with Cole Anthony in the lineup.

Coach Jamahl Mosley should prefer Suggs as the team's No. 1 guard, given his superior passing and overall scoring efficiency compared to what Anthony brings to the table. Suggs also ranked as one of the nation's most efficient pull-up shooters last year, which is a very important skill in the NBA game.

Suggs brings an energy and competitiveness to a game that most other rookies will not. He will be in a lead role for the team, and will have plenty of opportunities to make things happen. I think he easily finishes top-five in ROY voting, maybe even runner-up behind Cunningham.