NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds 2027: Wembanyama’s Lead Growing

All of the top defenders in basketball are at the top of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds.

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award recognizes the league’s most dominant force on the defensive end, celebrating players who disrupt offenses and anchor their teams.

Victor Wembanyama is the clear favorite to win the award again after becoming the youngest player ever to capture it and doing so unanimously last season. His combination of rim protection, shot blocking, perimeter mobility and defensive versatility gives him a realistic chance to dominate the race for years to come.

As long as he stays healthy, the award is likely his to lose in 2026-27.

🏀 2027 NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds

Player	Odds	Implied probability
Victor Wembanyama	-425	80.95%
Scottie Barnes	+1200	7.69%
Ausar Thompson	+1500	6.25%
Walker Kessler	+4000	2.44%
Rudy Gobert	+4000	2.44%
Bam Adebayo	+5000	1.96%
Evan Mobley	+5000	1.96%
Donovan Clingan	+5000	1.96%
Dyson Daniels	+6000	1.64%
Amen Thompson	+7000	1.41%

NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds courtesy of bet365 – accurate as of November 13

NBA DPOY odds favorites

Victor Wembanyama odds to win NBA DPOY | -425

Victor Wembanyama has strengthened his case as the overwhelming favorite in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds market through the opening weeks of the 2026-27 season. After winning the award unanimously last year, becoming the youngest player ever to capture Defensive Player of the Year and the first unanimous winner in league history, Wembanyama has continued to command attention on the defensive end. He is averaging 4.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game through 12 appearances, leading the NBA in blocks while adding 11.7 rebounds per contest, further strengthening his case as the DPOY favorite.

Wembanyama’s combination of elite rim protection, shot blocking, perimeter mobility and defensive versatility makes him one of basketball’s most impactful defenders. His early-season production has reinforced those credentials, while his ability to influence games on both ends also keeps him firmly in the conversation in the NBA MVP odds, where he is among the leading contenders.

If he stays healthy and maintains his current level of play, Wembanyama has an excellent chance to become a repeat DPOY winner and continue building what could be one of the greatest defensive résumés in NBA history.

Scottie Barnes odds to win NBA DPOY | +1200

Scottie Barnes remains an intriguing long-shot contender in the NBA DPOY odds market, thanks to his defensive versatility and ability to impact games across the floor. The forward is averaging 2.3 steals and 0.6 blocks per game through eight appearances on the Toronto Raptors schedule this season, alongside 23.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists. His 2.3 steals per game rank among the league’s best, placing him in the 99th percentile among forwards.

Barnes finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season and earned second-team All-Defense honors. His ability to guard multiple positions makes him an important part of Toronto’s defensive identity and gives him a path to challenge the favorites. However, his current groin injury is worth monitoring.

Ausar Thompson odds to win NBA DPOY | +1500

Ausar Thompson is emerging as a serious long-shot contender in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds market, thanks to his athleticism, versatility and ability to disrupt opponents on both ends of the floor. The Detroit Pistons forward is averaging 8.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks through nine appearances this season. He also delivered a statement performance against Washington on November 12, recording 17 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and three blocks for the first triple-double of his career.

Thompson finished third in DPOY voting last season, establishing himself as one of the league’s top young defenders. His impact could also be important to Detroit’s NBA Cup odds, with the Pistons priced at +1,000 in the NBA Cup odds and looking to make a deep run. If Thompson continues to anchor the defense alongside Detroit’s strong young core, the Pistons could be a dangerous tournament contender.

NBA DPOY Sleeper Pick

Rudy Gobert odds to win NBA DPOY | +4000

Rudy Gobert is an appealing sleeper in the NBA DPOY odds market, with the four-time Defensive Player of the Year capable of making another run at the award. The Minnesota Timberwolves center is averaging 11.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks through 11 games this season, while playing 29.3 minutes per contest. Gobert has recorded seven double-digit rebounding performances, including a 20-rebound effort against Cleveland on Oct. 26 and a 15-rebound outing against Utah on Nov. 8.

Gobert finished fourth in DPOY voting last season and earned first-team All-Defense honors. His elite rebounding, rim protection and defensive positioning remain valuable assets. If his block production increases, Gobert could become a serious challenger to Wembanyama and Holmgren.

📖 How to read NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds

Reading NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +500 or -200. Positive odds (e.g., +500) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet. For example, a $100 bet at +500 odds would win you $500, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $600.

🤔 Who decides who wins the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award?

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award is decided by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who cast their votes for their top three NBA DPOY candidates using a weighted point system.

The player that receives the most points after all votes have been tallied is crowned the winner after the regular season concludes. The winner is usually announced during the NBA Playoffs in mid-to-late April.

💰 How to bet on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds

Placing a futures bet on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds is a five-step process that focuses on finding the best value.

1. Choose a Bookmaker and Compare Odds

Start by comparing DPOY odds across multiple legal sportsbooks (e.g., bet365, Stake). Odds for longshot candidates can vary significantly (+2000 vs. +2500), directly impacting your potential return. Selecting the best price ensures maximum value for your bet.

2. Sign Up and Deposit Funds

Complete the online registration with the chosen bookmaker, providing necessary personal details for identity verification. When depositing funds, consider any available welcome bonuses, as these offers can effectively reduce the risk on your initial portfolio investment.

3. Locate the Futures Market

Once logged in, navigate the bookmaker’s menu to find the market. The path is typically: NBA → Futures → Awards → Defensive Player of the Year odds.

4. Select Your Bets and Enter Stakes

Identify your 3-4 preferred longshot players and click on their odds to add them to your bet slip. For each selection, enter the same wagering amount (stake) to create your diversified portfolio. It is crucial to place these as individual straight bets, not a parlay.

5. Review and Place the Bet

Before finalizing, review the bet slip to confirm the players, the locked-in odds, and the total amount risked. Once satisfied, submit the NBA picks to secure your longshot odds for the entire NBA season.

💸 Key Betting Strategies for NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds

The following three strategies focus on maximizing value, managing risk and exploiting market inefficiencies across the NBA Season.

1. The Preseason Portfolio (Maximizing Odds)

The core of this strategy is maximizing initial value by placing multiple, small, diversified bets immediately after the odds are released. Your focus should be on 3 to 4 longshot players who are in situations offering high-volume opportunities (e.g., a key shot-blocker or stealer that starts in nearly every game). By selecting odds of +2000 or higher, you are constructing a portfolio that diversifies risk. If any one of your selections breaks out, the return on the small, pooled stake is massive.

• Example: Placing $10 on four different players —Player A (+2500), B (+4000), C (+2000), and D (+3000) results in a total risk of $40.

2. Dynamic In-Season Monitoring and Adjustment (Identifying Breakouts)

The second stage involves rigorous monitoring of your longshots during the first few months of the season (October-December) to identify an odds-shortening breakout. You are tracking a sustained run of excellent production (e.g., a player averaging at least 2 steals + blocks per game). This breakout performance will dramatically shift the market and prepare you for the third strategic step. Volume and consistency are the only metrics that matter here, as they validate the initial preseason bet.

• Example: Your $10 bet on Player B at +4000 sees their odds plummet to +300 after a dominant stretch where they are top 5 in steals or blocks, confirming their status as an award contender.

3. The Calculated Mid-Season Hedge (Guaranteeing Profit)

This final, crucial strategy is pure risk management designed to lock in a guaranteed net profit. If your initial longshot has become a top favorite, you identify their closest rival and calculate the precise stake needed to place a bet on that rival. This is the “hedge bet.” The goal is to ensure that regardless of which of the two top candidates ultimately wins the award, you walk away with a guaranteed, significant return on your small initial investment, effectively taking risk off the table late in the season.

• Example: With Player B at +300, and their rival, Player E, at +500, you calculate an $80 stake on Player E. This maneuver guarantees a net profit of at least $320 (if B wins) or $390 (if E wins), securing a massive return on your initial $40 risk.

📈 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Betting Trends

When wagering on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds or any other NBA player award futures, it is always wise to research betting trends that have been established over the years. Here is a look at some key trends to consider before placing this season’s bets.

• Most NBA Defensive Player of the Year winners are big men who play the center and power forward positions.
• Since Gary Payton won the award following the 1995-96 season, only one guard has taken home the honor: Marcus Smart, then of the Boston Celtics, in 2021-22.
• Since the 6-foot-4 Payton won the award nearly three decades ago, only four winners had a listed height shorter than 6-foot-9.
• 10 players have won the award in back-to-back years. That includes Orlando’s Dwight Howard, who three-peated from 2008-09 to 2010-11.
• The last repeat winner? Gobert in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
• Gobert joined Howard, Ben Wallace (four times), and Dikembe Mutombo (four times) as the only players who have won Defensive Player of the Year at least three times.

🏆 Previous NBA Defensive Player of the Year winners by position

Best NBA betting sites

To make sure you get the most value on your NBA odds, go to the best NBA betting sites prior to placing your wagers throughout the season.

Want more insights on NBA betting markets?

Take a look at other Oddspedia Insights articles that give you everything you need in order to become a successful bettor.

• NBA Cup printable bracket
• NBA MVP Odds
• NBA Rookie of the Year Odds
• NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds
• NBA Clutch Player of the Year Odds
• NBA Coach of the Year Odds
• NBA 6th Man of the Year Odds
• NBA Prop Bets
• NBA Salary Cap Explained

🏆 Previous Defensive Player of the Year winners

NBA Defensive Player of the Year FAQs

Who is the current favorite to win the 2026-27 NBA DPOY?

Victor Wembanyama remains the overwhelming favorite in the 2026-27 NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds at -350. Those odds represent a 77.78% implied probability of winning his second consecutive DPOY award. The San Antonio Spurs star leads the NBA with 4.3 blocks per game through the opening weeks of the season.

Is Chet Holmgren a contender for the NBA DPOY award?

Chet Holmgren remains Wembanyama’s closest challenger in the NBA DPOY odds at +1100, representing a 9.09% implied probability. The Oklahoma City Thunder center is averaging 3.1 blocks per game through his first three appearances. His rim protection and defensive versatility make him a leading contender for his first DPOY award.

Who won NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2025?

Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers won the Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2024-25 season. He averaged 1.6 blocks and 0.9 steals per game for the Cavs.

When will NBA Defensive Player of the Year award be decided?

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year of the Year award is decided by a vote of print and broadcast media members selected by league officials. After the season ends, each voting member submits a ballot with three names, placing them in order of first place, second place, and third place. The winner is announced typically in mid-to-late April following the conclusion of the regular season.

How is the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award decided?

Media members selected by league officials decide the award each year. When the league tallies each ballot, it awards five points for each first-place vote; three points for each second-place vote; and one point for each third-place vote. The player who receives the highest point total — not necessarily the most first-place votes — is declared the winner.