Chet Holmgren's Rookie of the Year Odds Continue to Improve

Heading into the new NBA season, the Oklahoma City Thunder had a variety of storylines surrounding the team. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an All-NBA guard. His cast of Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams was incredible and was set to take another potential leap. Also, Chet Holmgren was set to make his NBA debut and battle for Rookie of the Year with Victor Wembanyama.

So far through the season, the Thunder is 11-5 and sitting at No. 2 in the Western Conference. While there have been plenty of contributions to the team's success, Holmgren's surprise start to the season has been a big boost to the team.

Through 16 games, Holmgren is averaging 18.1 points, 8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, doing this in under 30 minutes per game. His numbers are eye-popping and, in most years, would have him leading the Rookie of the Year conversation.

Still, Wembanyama's name and hype coming into the season have him leading the sportsbooks' odds to win the Rookie of the Year award. According to ESPN BET, Wembanyama holds -155 odds to win the award, with Holmgren holding +130 odds to win.

Holmgren has closed the odds gap between the two more and more as the season rolls on. He started the season with +320 odds after having +385 odds in Summer League. The more Holmgren plays and is able to show his capabilities, the more his odds and chances improve.

It should be considered how much Holmgren's impact helps the Thunder and translates to winning. The team is significantly better when he is on the floor and has arguably been the team's second-most valuable player this season.

Not all of what Holmgren does on the floor is quantified, either, so it's no surprise his odds are rising so much and closing the gap between Wembanyama in the race.

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