NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds & Predictions: Chet Holmgren Ascended to Favorite

• Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder) surged into the outright betting lead after the former favorite sustained an injury.

• Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) saw his odds fall dramatically as a direct result of his mid-November calf strain.

• Reigning DPOY Evan Mobley (Cavaliers) solidified his position as the main challenger to the two young stars, benefiting from the chaos surrounding Wembanyama's health.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Find the latest odds in the table below, courtesy of FanDuel. Place your bets at FanDuel and claim your bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

Rest of the players listed at +6000 odds and higher.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winner - My Pick

Evan Mobley (+500) at FanDuel Sportsbook

As a winner of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in the 2024/25 season, Evan Mobley is at an advantage with voters who often reward repeated excellence. Currently listed among the top contenders, Mobley is the foundational anchor of the Cleveland Cavaliers' defense, which consistently ranks among the league's most effective units. His unique case stems from his versatility—his ability to switch onto perimeter players, effectively guard the pick-and-roll, and provide elite rim protection with high block and defensive rebounding numbers.

With the current favorite, Victor Wembanyama, dealing with an injury, Mobley's proven durability and high defensive usage on a perennial Eastern Conference contender position him perfectly to capture the trophy again.

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How to Bet on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winner

When betting on someone to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, target a player who generates Blocks and Steals at a high rate. The more a player can efficiently create turnovers with disruptions, the better their rating is on defense which helps strengthen their case for winning the award. 

Playing on a team who thrives on defense and is labeled as a contender for the NBA Championship is also key as it shines the spotlight brighter on the player's contributions which helps garner more attention from the media and voters. With the Defensive Player of the Year award being one of the more volatile markets, it’s important to monitor it and create hedge opportunities throughout the year to help secure a profit.

How to Read NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winner Odds

Before placing a wager on the Defensive Player of the Year winner market, it’s vital to know how the listed odds work. If you bet on Victor Wembanyama at his preseason odds of -185, then you would need to wager $185 to profit $100.

If you bet on a longer shot like Anthony Davis at +1800, then a $100 wager would profit you $1,800 should he win the award. Make sure you line shop before placing any type of wager as the odds for the same market can drastically vary between each sportsbook.

Where to Bet on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winner

As for where to bet on the Defensive Player of the Year award winner, FanDuel Sportsbook is a great app to use as they normally edge out the rest of the apps in regard to their listed odds, which helps you save money over the long run. If you do not already have an account with FanDuel, sign up today and claim: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

BetMGM Sportsbook is another great app to use as they offer a wide range of markets and consistently rolls out promotions that give you rewards to help boost your bankroll. If you are new to BetMGM, sign up with our promo code WSNSPORTS and claim your welcome offer: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

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NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winner History

Victor Wembanyama’s fall was Evan Mobley’s gain as the Cleveland Cavaliers center went on to win his first career Defensive Player of the Year award. With his win, the center position has now won three straight awards and four out of the last five.

As for who leads the league for the most Defensive Player of the Year awards, Ben Wallace, Dikembe Mutombo, and Rudy Gobert are all tied for first with four titles apiece. Dwight Howard is in second with three and is the only player to win it three years in a row when he won it in 2008-2009 to 2010-2011.