Lonzo Ball, Dennis Smith Jr. Lead Early 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year Odds

According to odds released by OddsShark on Friday, Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball is the favorite to take home 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year honors.

Ball leads the pack by a wide margin with a moneyline of +175 (bet $100 to win $175), which works out as 7-4 odds, while Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. is the second choice at +325 (13-4 odds).

The Lakers selected Ball with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, and the 19-year-old was named MVP during summer league play.

Here is a rundown of all the top candidates, courtesy of OddsShark:

1. Lonzo Ball (LAL): +175

2. Dennis Smith Jr. (DAL): +325

3. Ben Simmons (PHI): +375

T4. Markelle Fultz (PHI): +1000

T4. Jayson Tatum (BOS): +1000

6. De'Aaron Fox (SAC): +1200

7. Donovan Mitchell (UTAH): +1400

8. Josh Jackson (PHX): +1600

9. Malik Monk (CHA): +2500

T10. Jonathan Isaac (ORL): +3300

T10. Zach Collins (POR): +3300

T10. John Collins (ATL): +3300

T13. Justin Jackson (SAC): +4000

T13. Luke Kennard (DET): +4000

T15. Lauri Markkanen (CHI): +5000

T15. Frank Ntilikina (NY): +5000

17. Derrick White (SA): +6600

Also near the top of the list is Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers, who missed the entire 2016-17 season because of injury.

Simmons was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2016 NBA draft, and he would have been a heavy favorite to win Rookie of the Year last season had he played.

The Aussie will have some competition from his own teammate for the award, though, as 2017 No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz is tied for the fourth-best chance along with Boston Celtics wing Jayson Tatum.

In terms of value picks, a pair of top-10 draft selections in Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls and Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks stand out at +5000 apiece.

Both players are on teams that appear to be in rebuilding mode, which suggests they should get plenty of playing time throughout the 2017-18 campaign.