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San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. Wembanyama leads Jackson in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds race.
Pictured: San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. Photo by Daniel Dunn via Imagn Images.

Despite there being plenty of season left, San Antonio Spurs sophomore Victor Wembanyama appears to have the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds race wrapped up.

After finishing second as a rookie to four-time NBA DPOY Rudy Gobert last season, Wembanyama opened as a minus-money favorite this season at our NBA betting sites and has done nothing but live up to the hype.

The only other players even remotely in the race are Evan Mobley and Jaren Jackson Jr.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds 2025

Live NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds from our best sports betting apps.

  • Victor Wembanyama: The runner-up for the award last year, Wemby opened at -180 to win it this year and continues to shorten his odds
  • Evan Mobley: Despite the Cleveland Cavaliers being NBA championship odds contenders thanks to his play, Mobley is going to have a hard time closing the gap on Wemby
  • Jaren Jackson Jr.: Having won this award two years ago, Jackson opened with the sixth-shortest odds to win this year
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The NBA MVP odds favorite, Gilgeous-Alexander is among the five biggest DPOY favorites
  • Rudy Gobert: While Gobert won last year, he's almost completely out of the race this season with the Minnesota Timberwolves struggles

NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds favorite 2025

Victor Wembanyama Defensive Player of the Year odds (-600)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama blocks a shot by Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe. Wembanyama leads the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds.
Pictured: San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama blocks a shot by Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe. Photo by Daniel Dunn via Imagn Images.

At this point there's almost no way Wembanyama doesn't win Defensive Player of the Year. He's been a shot-blocking machine all season, leading the league with four per game, and he's one of only two players in the NBA averaging two-plus blocks and one-plus steals per game.

The only argument against Wemby is the fact that the Spurs aren't positioned to make the Western Conference playoffs, but I don't think that's going to matter considering he finished second in voting last year when San Antonio went 22-60. If he wins this season, a $10n bet pays just a $1.67 profit.

Best odds: -600 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 85.71%

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NBA Defensive Player of the Year opening odds

  • Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: -180
  • Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves: +1100
  • Bam Adebayo, Heat: +1200
  • Chet Holmgren, Thunder: +1600
  • Evan Mobley, Cavaliers: +1600
  • Anthony Davis, Lakers: +1800
  • Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies: +1800
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: +2000
  • OG Anunoby, Knicks: +3000
  • Alex Caruso, Thunder: +3000
  • Joel Embiid, 76ers: +4000

Past NBA Defensive Player of the Year winners

YearNameTeamPreseason odds
2023-24Rudy GobertMinnesota Timberwolves+2000
2022-23Jaren Jackson Jr.Memphis Grizzlies+2000
2021-22Marcus SmartBoston Celtics+4000
2020-21Rudy GobertUtah Jazz+300
2019-20Giannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee Bucks+400
2018-19Rudy GobertUtah Jazz+163
2017-18Rudy GobertUtah Jazz+325
2016-17Draymond GreenGolden State Warriors+550
2015-16Kawhi LeonardSan Antonio Spurs+550

How to bet on NBA Defensive Player of the Year

Betting on NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds is straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook offering NBA Defensive Player of the Year futures. Check the odds for various players; for instance, if Player A has +300 odds and Player B has +700, Player A is favored to win.

Place your bet by deciding how much to wager. If you bet $100 on Player A at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($100 stake + $300 profit). Keep an eye on player performances throughout the season to gauge your bet’s potential.

Now, why do odds move in future markets? It’s all about performance and perception. If a player performs exceptionally well or poorly, their odds will shift. Injuries to the player or their competitors can also significantly impact their Defensive Player of the Year chances.

The success of the player’s team can improve their odds as well. Public betting trends play a role; if many people are betting on one player, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk. Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, affecting the odds. Understanding these factors helps you make informed bets and potentially take advantage of favorable odds movements.

How to read NBA MVP odds

Reading NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds involves understanding the implied probability and potential payouts associated with each player's odds of winning the Defensive Player of the Year award. NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds are typically presented in American odds.

These use plus and minus symbols to indicate underdogs and favorites, respectively. For instance, if a player's odds are +500, a $100 bet would result in a $500 profit if the player wins, while odds of -200 would mean that a $200 bet is required to win $100 in profit.

When reading NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds, lower odds indicate that a player has a higher probability of winning the award, while higher odds suggest that a player is considered less likely to win. Bettors should consider factors such as a player's performance, team success, and narrative appeal when evaluating Defensive Player of the Year odds.

It's also important to compare odds across different sportsbooks to identify the best value bets. Additionally, bettors should keep in mind that Defensive Player of the Year odds can fluctuate throughout the season based on player performance, injuries, and other factors, so staying informed and monitoring odds changes can be crucial for making informed betting decisions.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year FAQs

Who is favored to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year?

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is the favorite to win NBA DPOY. His odds (-600) imply a 85.71% probability that he'll win the award.

Who won NBA Defensive Player of the Year last year?

Rudy Gobert won his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023-24 and his first with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who ranked first in the NBA in defensive rating with the league's fewest points allowed per game.

When will NBA Defensive Player of the Year be decided?

With the 2023-24 award announced on Tuesday, May 7, during the NBA playoffs, we can expect next year's award to be decided at a similar time.

NBA betting odds pages

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