NBA Defensive Player Of The Year Odds

The following post features NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds (2025-26).

As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, oddsmakers have released their Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) odds, providing an early look at which players are considered the top contenders for a season-long futures bet.

Read: NBA Sixth Man Of The Year Odds

Related: NBA Most Improved Player Odds

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) race offers a unique betting opportunity, allowing bettors to back elite specialists poised to anchor top defenses and dominate defensive impact metrics.

So, how is the NBA Defensive Player of the Year race shaping up for 2025-26? Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

Last season, Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers captured the Defensive Player of the Year award, securing the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy after a close voting race with runner-up Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks) and Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors). Mobley’s win was based on his unique versatility as a rim protector and perimeter defender, which anchored the Cavaliers’ elite team defense. The 23-year-old averaged 1.6 blocks and 9.3 rebounds, while his presence on the court caused opposing teams to shoot significantly worse at the rim. Mobley’s consistent excellence was instrumental in propelling the Cavaliers to a 64-18 record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference, cementing him as the first player in franchise history to win the award.

Defensive Player of the Year Award

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award, which grants the winner the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy, is bestowed annually upon the best defensive player during the regular season. The winner is selected by a global panel of 124 sportswriters and broadcasters who cast first, second, and third-place votes, with values of five points, three points, and one point, respectively. This award historically favors rim-protecting big men who anchor elite team defenses. Players must also meet the league’s new eligibility requirement of 65 games played to ensure consistent defensive impact throughout the season.

Defensive Player of the Year Award Odds (2025-26)

Below is a table displaying the odds for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. All odds were sourced on Oct 4, 2025. Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Player Spotlights

Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs, -175)

Wembanyama is the overwhelming odds-on favorite, setting a massive price tag (-175) that reflects his generational defensive potential. Despite missing much of last season due to injury, the betting public and analysts recognize his unique ability to single-handedly transform a defense. His case rests on meeting the 65-game eligibility threshold; if he does, his elite volume of blocks and steals, combined with his unparalleled ability to deter shots, makes him the presumptive winner. Betting on Wembanyama is betting on the most valuable defensive player in the league finally having the games played to secure the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy.

Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder, +700)

Holmgren is Wembanyama’s primary challenger and represents the best team defense argument. The betting case at +700 is strong because the DPOY winner traditionally comes from one of the league’s top defensive teams, a role the Thunder consistently fill. Holmgren is a highly mobile, efficient rim protector who benefits from the Thunder’s aggressive scheme. If OKC continues to anchor a top-five defense and Holmgren, who has shown elite advanced metrics, maintains his health and high block rate, he offers strong value as the anchor of a title-contending unit.

Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets, +1600)

Thompson is the top-tier guard candidate, bringing immense long-shot value at +1600. His narrative is built on his proven success as the Rockets’ primary point-of-attack defender, a role that earned him votes last season. The betting interest here is in Thompson making the leap to All-Defensive First Team status, joining only a handful of guards to win this historically big-man award. If the Rockets maintain their elite defensive identity and Thompson leverages his unique athleticism to climb the steals and deflection leaderboard, he offers a high-reward return for bettors backing a perimeter specialist.

Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers, +2500)

Mobley is the reigning DPOY winner, yet his extended odds reflect the strength of the new competition. The betting risk is that voters rarely award the DPOY in back-to-back seasons, and the focus may shift to his offensive development. However, at +2500, he represents a unique value proposition: Mobley is an established DPOY who single-handedly elevates the Cavaliers’ defense. If Cleveland secures a top seed in the East again and Wembanyama or Holmgren falter in games played, Mobley’s proven ability to anchor both the paint and perimeter makes him an experienced, high-floor choice.

Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks, +2500)

Daniels is the ultimate statistical anomaly among DPOY candidates, offering fantastic value at +2500. Last season, he shattered modern records by leading the league in steals (2.6 SPG) and was the DPOY runner-up. The betting case is that if Daniels can maintain that elite steals volume (or even approach the record of 3.0 SPG), his counting stats will overwhelm the historical bias toward big men. If the Hawks manage to significantly improve their overall team defense, Daniels’ high steal rate—a stat that is easy for voters to recognize—makes him a narrative-rich long shot.

Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners (2015-Present)

The table below highlights every NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award winner since 2015.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are the clear favorites, the real betting value lies with candidates like Amen Thompson, Evan Mobley, and Dyson Daniels, who offer strong returns if they translate their unique defensive versatility into top-tier team success and elite individual metrics.