NBA Defensive Player of the Year Betting Odds 2026
A lot of critics of the NBA would proclaim that the league isn’t the same as it used to be, that defense is mostly optional across the league, that it’s a glorified three-point shooting contest each night, and the art of the lockdown defender is quickly fading away like the Warriors’ championship window.
However, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award makes sure to highlight the few NBA stars out there who still believe in the old adage that “defense wins championships.”
In recent history, Rudy Gobert has won this award in four of the last seven seasons.
However, there is some new blood in the NBA that offers unthinkable matchup nightmares and can completely change an offensive game plan on their own.
In this article, we will detail all you need to know about betting on who ultimately becomes the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and how you can celebrate every rebound, block, and steal along the way.
Note: Odds were correct at the time of writing.
Best Sportsbooks for NBA Defensive Player of the Year Betting
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings offers NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting throughout the season, allowing bettors to wager on which player will earn the league’s top defensive honor. Futures markets are available before the season begins and remain active as the award race develops.
Defensive Player of the Year odds are influenced by individual defensive metrics, team defensive rankings, and overall impact on that end of the floor. Bettors can back established defensive stars or emerging candidates throughout the season.
Highlights:
- Extensive NBA award betting markets
- Regular DPOY odds updates
- Additional futures on MVP and other awards
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel features NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting on many of the league’s premier defenders. The market evolves throughout the season as players build their cases through strong defensive performances.
Bettors can track odds movement while evaluating blocks, steals, defensive ratings, and team success. FanDuel provides a straightforward platform for following the award race from start to finish.
Highlights:
- Competitive DPOY futures odds
- Easy-to-use betting interface
- Broad NBA awards coverage
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook offers NBA Defensive Player of the Year futures that allow bettors to target top defenders before and during the season. Markets are adjusted regularly as the race takes shape.
Award odds often shift based on defensive production, availability, and team performance. Bettors can monitor candidates throughout the season and identify potential value opportunities.
Highlights:
- Comprehensive NBA futures markets
- Frequent award odds adjustments
- Extensive basketball betting menu
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook provides NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting as part of its full NBA futures lineup. Bettors can wager on elite rim protectors, versatile defenders, and perimeter specialists competing for the award.
The sportsbook updates odds throughout the season as defensive metrics and team rankings change. Strong performances on top defensive teams can significantly influence the market.
Highlights:
- Full NBA awards betting selection
- Season-long DPOY futures
- Additional player and team futures
bet365 Sportsbook
Bet365 offers NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting alongside a wide range of basketball futures markets. Bettors can choose from many of the league’s top defensive players throughout the season.
The sportsbook adjusts odds regularly as players accumulate blocks, steals, and other defensive contributions. Team success and overall defensive impact can also affect award prices.
Highlights:
- Deep NBA futures coverage
- Consistent award market updates
- Multiple basketball betting options
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers features NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting on leading award candidates throughout the season. The market allows bettors to follow one of the NBA’s most competitive individual races.
Odds move throughout the year based on defensive statistics, media attention, and team performance. Bettors can evaluate both favorites and rising contenders as the season progresses.
Highlights:
- Season-long DPOY betting
- User-friendly futures markets
- Additional NBA award wagering
Hard Rock Bet
Hard Rock Bet offers NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting as part of its growing NBA futures portfolio. Bettors can place wagers on players expected to anchor elite defenses and impact games on that end of the court.
The sportsbook updates odds throughout the season as candidates separate themselves from the field. Defensive efficiency, versatility, and team success often play major roles in award consideration.
Highlights:
- NBA DPOY futures available season-long
- Competitive odds on top defenders
- Additional NBA awards and championship markets
How is the Winner Decided?
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award is decided by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters from the United States and Canada.
Each voter selects their top three choices for the award, ranking them in order from first to third.
First-place votes for the award are worth 5 points, while second-place votes are worth 3 points, and third-place votes are worth 1 point.
The player who accumulates the most total points from the 100 ballots wins the award, meaning that a player could, in theory, still win the award even if they do not have the most first-place votes.
Unlike other awards like the NBA MVP Award or the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, there is no real specific criteria for voting for NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
However, voters typically consider factors like rebounding, rim protection, on-ball defense, and overall presence on the floor.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Betting Odds
In recent seasons, the race to become NBA Defensive Player of the Year has been tight. The award is typically one of the more popular futures bets that NBA bettors tend to make before the season begins.
Here’s a look at how the race to become NBA Defensive Player of the Year shakes just days before the midseason All-Star break.
Victor Wembanyama (-195) at DraftKings – The Favorite
If a report from Shams Charania dropped this week saying that Victor Wembanyama is actually half-alien and from another galaxy altogether, I’m not sure many basketball fans would be overly surprised.
The third-year talent out of France narrowly missed out on winning DPOTY in his rookie season and also had a stellar 2024-25 season.
Wemby is now the overwhelming favorite to win the award this season. Wemby is averaging 11 rebounds per game this season and 2.7 blocks per game.
It’s going to take something drastic to make this race a bit more interesting and not the foregone conclusion it appears to be.
The Longshots
If you are looking for other possibilities, a few other players stand out. Rudy Gobert once again remains a possibility, along with some other names. Here are a few players to watch in the Dfensive Player of the Year race.
| Player | Team | Betting Odds |
| Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder | +200 |
| Rudy Gobert | Minnesota Timberwolves | +1500 |
| Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors | +3000 |
| Ausar Thompson | New York Knicks | +5000 |
Recent NBA Defensive Player of the Year Winners
| Year | Player | Team |
| 2024-25 | Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2023-24 | Rudy Gobert | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2022-23 | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2021-22 | Marcus Smart | Boston Celtics |
| 2020-21 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz |
| 2019-20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2018-19 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz |
| 2017-18 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz |
| 2016-17 | Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors |
| 2015-16 | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2014-15 | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs |
How To Bet on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
To bet on who wins the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, follow this step-by-step:
1. Log into your account at the sportsbook of your choosing.
2. Select ‘NBA Odds’ from the menu of sports available.
3. Go to the ‘Player Futures’ submenu.
4. Click on ‘Defensive Player of the Year.’
5. Submit your bet in the bet-slip window.
