NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds & Predictions: Victor Wembanyama Cemented as the Favorite

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award is an annual honor given to the league's most impactful defensive player during the regular season. Since the 2022–23 season, the winner has been presented with the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy, named after the legendary two-time winner.

To win, a player must demonstrate elite defensive prowess through traditional statistics - such as blocks, steals, and rebounds - alongside advanced metrics like defensive win shares and "rim protection" impact. Beyond individual stats, voters (a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters) heavily weight a player's ability to anchor a top-tier team defense or guard multiple positions effectively.

We have listed the best candidates and their odds below.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Find the latest odds in the table below, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Place your bets at FanDuel and claim your bonus: Bet $5, Get up to $1,000 in Bet Resets.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winner - My Pick

Victor Wembanyama (-10000) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Victor Wembanyama is a premier candidate for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award due to his unprecedented combination of elite shot-blocking and perimeter mobility. Standing at 7'4" with an 8-foot wingspan, he leads the league in blocks per game, often averaging over 3.5 swats while anchoring a San Antonio Spurs defense that performs significantly better with him on the floor.

Beyond traditional stats, his advanced metrics—such as Defensive Box Plus/Minus and Defensive Win Shares—rank at the very top of the NBA, reflecting his ability to single-handedly deter opponents from entering the paint. His unique "Wemby Effect," where players visibly pass up open layups out of fear of his length, provides a narrative of dominance that historically resonates with award voters.

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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 up to $1,000 in Bet Resets.

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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.