Memphis Grizzlies: Early NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: (L-R) Donte DiVincenzo, Jerome Robinson, Mikal Bridges, Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Wendell Carter Jr., Collin Sexton, Trae Young, Marvin Bagley III, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Miles Bridges, Michael Porter Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, Jaren Jackson, Aaron Holiday, Chandler Hutchison and Zhaire Smith poses for a group shot for the draft class during the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

How does Memphis Grizzlies draftee Jaren Jackson Jr stack up with the other favorites for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award?

The Memphis Grizzlies must have come away from the 2018 NBA Draft with a bunch of “What ifs.”

“What if we didn’t fall to No. 4?”

“What if Luka Doncic somehow did fall to No. 4?”

“What if the Knicks were actually dumb enough to take on Chandler Parsons‘ contract?”

They also came away with one of the class’ most prized prospects; 6’11” three-and-D stud known as Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr.

Initial returns were promising; Jackson drained eight triples in his Summer League debut en route to 29 points. It was exactly the kind of floor-spacing display Memphis has lacked in recent years.

Now, obviously the performance comes with both Summer League and small sample-size disclaimers. But still, JJJ sits among the early favorites for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award.

Here is an early look at the top-ten candidates (odds via bodog.com), and their potential for first-year impact: