Allonzo Trier Cracks Top 10 in NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

• Allonzo Trier has emerged as a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate despite being undrafted 
• Can the Knicks shooting guard continue his red hot play all season long?
• Should bettors be keeping an eye on Josh Okogie as well? 

You won’t find Allonzo Trier’s name on the New York Knicks depth chart on ESPN. You won’t find it on the roll call from the 2018 NBA Draft, either. However, you will find it featured within the top 10 of many sportsbooks’ NBA Rookie of the Year odds sheets.

The undrafted shooting guard has officially crashed the Rookie of the Year race for the first time all season with average odds of +3300.

2019 NBA Rookie of the Year Average Odds

Trier’s sudden ascension has come as a surprise to many around the league, who felt the 22-year-old lacked the high-end athleticism and playmaking abilities to survive in the NBA. Their dim view of his talent became painfully evident on June 21, 2018 when all 30 franchises decided to take a pass on Trier at the annual NBA Draft.

Trier briefly considered playing overseas before the Knicks swooped in on July 3rd and signed him to a two-way contract with their G League affiliate in Westchester. He’s since rewarded their leap of faith by averaging 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 21.3 minutes per game.

Trier has already dropped 15 points twice in games against the Hawks and Celtics, and has emerged as one of the Knicks’ most dependable scorers off the bench.

ALLONZO. TRIER. WITH. AUTHORITY! 🛫💥😱#NewYorkForever #KiaTipOff18 pic.twitter.com/n75TFDbi7N

— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2018

Trier’s contributions haven’t gone unnoticed by teammates, who are quick to praise his high basketball IQ and defensive chops. Knicks head coach David Fizdale has also fallen in love with Trier’s fiercely competitive nature.

“I’ve been really happy with Allonzo,” Fizdale said recently. “He might be our biggest competitor. He’s fearless, he’s really taken the challenge defensively. I’ve been really happy with that part of it.”

2019 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

Trier isn’t the only surprise member in the latest NBA Rookie of the Year odds rankings. Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Josh Okogie has also joined the party with identical +3300 average odds to win the award.

Allonzo Trier and Josh Okogie Statistical Comparison

Okogie has become a key part of Minnesota’s rotation thanks to his boundless energy on both sides of the ball. The 6’4″ shooting guard, who was taken with the 20th pick in the draft after two years at Georgia Tech, presently ranks fourth on the Wolves in rebounds and second in steals.

Another game, another Josh Okogie defense to offense highlight that makes you happy. pic.twitter.com/h7g5GfxoKu

— Kyle Ratke (@Kyle_Ratke) November 1, 2018

one will mistake Okogie for a franchise player just yet, but he stands to get more minutes – and a lot more touches – as the team tries to move incumbent shooting guard Jimmy Butler elsewhere.

Should You Bet on Trier and Okogie?

Trier and Okogie are both great stories, but neither player should be considered a legitimate threat to overtake presumptive Rookie of the Year favorites Luka Doncic or Deandre Ayton.

Luka Doncic leads the Mavericks in points per game and is second in rebounds and assists.

Doncic, in particular, has been playing an an All-Star level since making his debut, and leads the Mavericks in points per game and is second in rebounds and assists. The Slovenian sensation is the real deal, and should continue to get even better as he adjusts to the speed and athleticism of the NBA game.

Everyone loves an underdog story, but in this case it’s the favorites you should be betting on.