Hey NBA fans and savvy bettors! Let’s talk about something I’ve been eyeing, and it involves a potential goldmine in the NBA Rookie of the Year market. We all love a good underdog story, especially when it comes with a chance to make some serious gains. And right now, my radar is pinging on one name: Derek Queen.
Now, you might be thinking, “Who’s Derek Queen?” And that’s exactly why this could be such a sweet spot. He’s not currently in the mainstream conversation for Rookie of the Year, and that’s precisely where the value lies. On platforms like Polymarket, he’s currently sitting at a measly four cents a share. Four cents! That’s practically free, and here’s why I think it’s an incredible bargain.

Let’s dive into some numbers. If you’ve been watching Queen lately, you’ve probably noticed a significant uptick in his performance. Over his last 10 games, he’s been putting up some seriously impressive stats, averaging around 18 points and 8 rebounds per game. Think about that for a second. If he were to maintain those averages over a full season, he wouldn’t just be in the Rookie of the Year conversation – he’d be a bona fide contender, right alongside some of the bigger names.
And here’s where it gets even more interesting. Even if Derek Queen doesn’t win the whole thing, consider the upside. If he just climbs to second or third place in the Rookie of the Year odds, that four-cent share is going to skyrocket. We’re talking at least 20 cents, maybe even 30 cents a share. That’s a 5x or 7.5x return on a minimal investment, just for him to be recognized as a strong contender.

But wait, there’s more to this story. As we know, injuries are an unfortunate part of the NBA season, but they can also open up massive opportunities for other players. And wouldn’t you know it, Queen’s teammate, the high-usage Zion Williamson, recently got injured and is expected to be out for three weeks.
This is a prime opportunity for Derek Queen to step up. With Zion sidelined, there are suddenly a lot more shots and touches to go around. Queen is likely to see an increased role, more minutes, and significantly more opportunities to attack the rim and put up points. This could be the spark he needs to elevate his game even further and solidify his claim as a top rookie.
Imagine the narrative: a lesser-known rookie seizing his chance when a star teammate goes down, putting up eye-popping numbers and forcing his way into the Rookie of the Year discussion. That’s the kind of story that gets attention, and that attention translates directly into increased value on the betting markets.
So, while everyone else is focused on the big names, I’m looking at Derek Queen and seeing a massive mispricing. His current four-cent share on Polymarket feels incredibly undervalued, especially with the recent developments. I wouldn’t be surprised if that 4% quickly jumps to at least 12 cents per share as he continues to shine in Zion’s absence.
What do you think? Am I crazy, or is Derek Queen the ultimate sleeper pick for Rookie of the Year? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!



