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NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds 2027: Wembanyama Poised to Repeat

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award honors the league's best defender—those who disrupt offenses and anchor their teams' defense. Since Gary Payton's win after the 1995-96 season, only one guard has taken the title: Marcus Smart in 2021-22.

Victor Wembanyama stands as the heavy favorite to claim the award again after becoming the youngest player ever to win it unanimously last season. His blend of rim protection, shot blocking, perimeter agility, and defensive flexibility makes him a formidable force. If he remains healthy, Wembanyama enters the 2026-27 season as the player all others aim to catch.

2027 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds

  • Player: Victor Wembanyama | Odds: -350 | Implied Probability: 77.78%
  • Player: Chet Holmgren | Odds: +1200 | Implied Probability: 7.69%
  • Player: Ausar Thompson | Odds: +2500 | Implied Probability: 3.85%
  • Player: Rudy Gobert | Odds: +3000 | Implied Probability: 3.23%
  • Player: Evan Mobley | Odds: +4500 | Implied Probability: 2.17%
  • Player: Scottie Barnes | Odds: +5000 | Implied Probability: 1.96%
  • Player: Bam Adebayo | Odds: +5000 | Implied Probability: 1.96%
  • Player: Zach Edey | Odds: +6000 | Implied Probability: 1.64%
  • Player: Amen Thompson | Odds: +7000 | Implied Probability: 1.41%
  • Player: OG Anunoby | Odds: +7000 | Implied Probability: 1.41%

Odds courtesy of bet365 as of August 5, 2026.

Favorites at a Glance

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama is rightly the overwhelming favorite. Last year, he made history by winning unanimously at the youngest age ever. His mix of elite defensive skills across multiple areas gives him a solid chance to repeat and build a legendary defensive record. He also leads MVP betting markets.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren is next in line. Known for his length, timing, and rim protection while defending guards, Holmgren fits the mold of a modern defensive anchor. Playing on a top-tier defensive team helps his case. Should he boost his block stats and help OKC climb defensively, he could challenge Wembanyama seriously.

Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson represents an intriguing longshot. His athleticism and quickness make him a disruptive perimeter defender, known for steals and deflections. If Detroit improves defensively with Thompson leading that charge, he might surpass current expectations.

NBA DPOY Sleeper Pick

Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes offers value with his rare size, strength, and versatility. Able to guard multiple spots, he impacts both perimeter and paint defense. If paired with Kawhi Leonard, another elite defender, Barnes could boost his impact further, making Toronto’s defense a nightmare for opponents. His long odds make him a worthy sleeper.

How to Interpret NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Odds come in formats like +500 or -200. Positive odds show potential profit on a $100 bet, so +500 means a $100 wager wins $500 plus the original stake. Negative odds like -200 indicate how much you must bet to win $100.

Who Votes for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year?

A panel of sportswriters and broadcasters vote for their top three candidates using a weighted system. The player accumulating the most points wins. The announcement happens during the playoffs in mid-to-late April.

Steps to Bet on NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds

  • Choose a sportsbook and compare odds: Different sites offer varying odds, especially for longshots, impacting potential returns.
  • Register and deposit: Sign up, verify identity, and look out for welcome bonuses that reduce risk.
  • Find the futures market: Navigate to NBA → Futures → Awards → Defensive Player of the Year odds.
  • Select bets and stakes: Pick 3-4 longshots, place equal wagers on each as straight bets (not parlays) for a diversified portfolio.
  • Review and place bets: Confirm selections and amounts before submitting.

Key Betting Strategies for NBA Defensive Player of the Year

  • Preseason Portfolio: Spread small bets across 3-4 longshots at +2000 odds or higher. This diversifies risk and can yield big payoffs if one breaks out.
  • In-Season Monitoring: Watch for players whose odds shorten due to strong performance (e.g., averaging 2+ steals and blocks). This signals breakout candidates.
  • Mid-Season Hedge: When your longshot becomes a favorite, hedge by betting their closest competitor to guarantee profit regardless of who wins.

Trends in NBA Defensive Player of the Year Betting

  • Most winners are big men at center or power forward positions.
  • Since Gary Payton in 1996, only one guard has won—Marcus Smart.
  • Only four winners shorter than 6-foot-9 since Payton.
  • Ten players have won back-to-back awards, including Dwight Howard's threepeat.
  • Rudy Gobert is the last repeat winner (2017-18, 2018-19).
  • Gobert, Howard, Ben Wallace, and Dikembe Mutombo each won at least three times.

Previous NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winners by Position

  • Center: 26 winners
  • Shooting guard: 5 winners
  • Power forward: 5 winners
  • Small forward: 5 winners
  • Point guard: 2 winners

Recent Defensive Player of the Year Winners

  • 2025: Evan Mobley (CLE)
  • 2024: Rudy Gobert (MIN)
  • 2023: Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM)
  • 2022: Marcus Smart (BOS)
  • 2021: Rudy Gobert (UTA)
  • 2020: Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is the current favorite for 2025-26 DPOY? Victor Wembanyama, with -4000 odds and a 97.56% implied probability.
  • Is Chet Holmgren still a contender? Yes, second favorite at +850 odds with 10.53% implied probability.
  • Who won in 2025? Evan Mobley of Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 1.6 blocks and 0.9 steals per game.
  • When is the award decided? After the regular season ends, votes are tallied and the winner announced usually in mid-to-late April during playoffs.
  • How is the winner chosen? Media members vote; points are assigned for first (5), second (3), and third (1) place votes. Highest total wins, not necessarily most first-place votes.

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