Sports · Basketball · 50 mins ago
Yaxel Lendeborg leads early NBA Rookie of the Year race
Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg is the early Rookie of the Year favorite in the 2026-27 NBA season.
He described the possibility of winning the award as a “lose-lose,” though no further explanation is given.
Lendeborg was picked 11th in the draft, while the odds list Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer and Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. next.
Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa and Jazz guard Darryn Peterson are also in the top five, despite Dybantsa missing four games with an ankle sprain and Peterson starting more slowly.
Bulls forward Caleb Wilson will miss four to six weeks with a broken right hand, after averaging 18.9 points in his first 10 games.
His absence could hurt his chances in a crowded race, though there is no 65-game minimum for the award.
The season is less than a month old, so the standings and odds may change as the rookies play more games.
Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg is the current favorite for the 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year award, according to odds reported by CBS Sports on Nov. 13.
Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer and Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. have the next-shortest odds.
Wizards forward AJ Dybantsa and Jazz guard Darryn Peterson are tied for fourth in the odds.
Bulls forward Caleb Wilson is expected to miss four to six weeks after fracturing his right hand.
Wilson had averaged 18.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals in his first 10 games.
- Who
- Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg is the current favorite, with Cameron Boozer and Darius Acuff Jr. next.
- What
- The early 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year race has a top five, according to CBS Sports.
- When
- Nov. 13, 2026.
- Where
- The NBA.
- Why
- Lendeborg has the shortest odds among the rookies listed. Caleb Wilson’s hand injury is expected to keep him out for four to six weeks.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
CBS Sports reported that Lendeborg had the shortest odds to win Rookie of the Year.
News broke that Caleb Wilson would miss four to six weeks after fracturing his right hand.
- Lendeborg's odds
- +115
- Boozer's odds
- +290
- Acuff Jr.'s odds
- +320
- Dybantsa and Peterson's odds
- +1600 each
- Wilson's expected absence
- Four to six weeks
- Wilson's first 10 games
- 18.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game
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“I’m trying to be an All-Star this year.” 🗣️ Yaxel Lendeborg sits down with @taylorrooks and says that he has his sights set beyond Rookie of the Year 🌟