The NBA’s top defenders are ready to make their case — but the oddsboard suggests one player is a clear step ahead.
With rising stars and former winners in the mix, the race features plenty of challengers looking to shake up the board.
So, who will take home Defensive Player of the Year?
Let’s check out the odds to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year at bet365 Sportsbook as of Oct. 28.
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NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds
What To Know: Can anyone catch Victor Wembanyama? At -400, he’s the overwhelming favorite after averaging 3.1 blocks and 11.5 rebounds last season. Opponents had a much tougher time scoring with him on the floor, as his team allowed 9.1 fewer points per 100 possessions than when he sat. Wemby looks to win this award in back-to-back seasons. So far this season, he leads the NBA with 4.3 blocks per game, averaging over a block more than the next player.
What To Know: Holmgren is Wembanyama’s closest challenger at +1200, but he has some major ground to make up. He averaged 1.9 blocks and 8.9 rebounds last season, while his team allowed 6.5 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court. He was first-team All-Defense. Through three games this season, he is averaging 3.1 blocks per game, the second most in the NBA. Could his first Defensive Player of the Year award be next?
What To Know: The big men have company. Thompson has the third-best odds at +2500 after averaging 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks in just 26 minutes per game last season. His ability to disrupt offenses gives him a chance to break through in a race often dominated by rim protectors. He was first-team All-Defense last season. He has at least one steal in all three of his games this season and a block in two of those three.
What To Know: Barnes is the quintessential do-it-all defending forward. He can guard pretty much five positions on the court, and was second-team All-Defense last year, when he averaged 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks. Barnes had four steals in the Raptors loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday, and his defensive responsibilities could increase with Kawhi Leonard ruled out for the coming weeks.
What To Know: Could Gobert make history with a fifth Defensive Player of the Year award? The four-time winner averaged 11.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks last season. His defensive impact remains hard to ignore: His team allowed nine fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor last season and he’s made nine All-Defensive teams in his career. However, his odds have dropped from +3000 to +4500 after he’s only recorded two blocks through four games in 2026.
Wembanyama vs. The Field
With Wembanyama heavily favored to win his second straight DPOY award, bet365 has also posted odds pitting him against the rest of the NBA combined.
Here are those odds.
Victor Wembanyama to win DPOY: -400
The Field to win DPOY: +275
