Thunder vs. Bulls Wednesday NBA odds, props: Chet Holmgren to finally debut for Oklahoma City, taking heavy Rookie of the Year action
Chet Holmgren makes his regular-season debut for Oklahoma City in Chicago.
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In the NFL, a player is a rookie with his draft class – it doesn't matter whether or not he takes the field during his first season. That's not the case in the NBA, as a player's rookie "clock" only starts once he plays. Oklahoma City took Chet Holmgren out of Gonzaga with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, but the 7-footer missed the 2022-23 season with an injury, so Wednesday night's game in Chicago will mark Holmgren's official NBA debut with the Thunder at +1 on the SportsLine consensus.
This year's No. 1 overall pick, Victor Wembanyama, is getting all the rookie hype – San Antonio will be on national TV often because of the French phenom, including on ESPN tonight in the home opener vs. Dallas – but Holmgren is a very similar talent. Holmgren has a season of playing at the highest level of college basketball under his belt, while Wembanyama was the MVP of the French Pro League.
Wembanyama is the -140 favorite to win Rookie of the Year, but Holmgren (a +350 second favorite) is taking the most wagers of any player at 30.2% If team success plays a role in the RoY winner, Holmgren should have the edge as Oklahoma City is expected to contend for a playoff spot, while San Antonio will likely finish well under .500.
Technically, OKC has never had a Rookie of the Year. Kevin Durant won it in 2008, the franchise's final season in Seattle. Both Ben Simmons (with the 76ers) and Blake Griffin (with the Clippers) won the award after missing what would have been their first seasons due to injury.
In four preseason games, Holmgren averaged 19.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Holmgren and Wemby went head-to-head for the first time – a fascinating rivalry if they stay healthy – in the preseason opener on Oct. 9 and Holmgren slightly outplayed his fellow rookie in a Thunder victory. For Wednesday, Holmgren is set at over/under 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks – which are essentially his O/U season totals. For a double-double vs. Chicago, Holmgren is Yes-only at +240.
Holmgren will not be the only OKC player making his NBA debut. The team took Kentucky guard Cason Wallace at No. 10 overall this year, and he's +4000 to win Rookie of the Year. In addition, former EuroLeague star Vasilije Micić finally decided to come to the USA. He was the EuroLeague MVP during the 2020-21 season and named the Final Four MVP in both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. He's +3500 for the award.
Chicago has largely kept the team that lost in the final Eastern Conference play-in tournament game to Miami intact. Lonzo Ball has already been ruled out for another season, so the Bulls might be sellers if they struggle early. All-Star DeMar DeRozan is in the final year of his contract. DeRozan is averaging 25.8 PPG in his last five games vs. OKC and has scored at least 30 points in three of those five games. He is set at O/U 23.5 points.
The Bulls have won the past four at home in the series.
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