2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds: Wemby Odds-On Favorite Again Following Holmgren Injury

NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds were shaping up to be Wemby vs. Chet all season long, with the two lanky, athletic bigs the clear favorites in this race.

Then Holmgren suffered a hip injury that will sideline him for months and, well, the NBA odds to win DPOY in 2025 are all Victor Wembanyama now.

Here are the latest odds to win, with Wemby the odds-on favorite... and not a single other person shorter than 10/1.

2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds

Player
Victor Wembanyama	-200	-190	-200
Evan Mobley	+1000	+1000	+900
Anthony Davis	+1200	+1400	+1200
Bam Adebayo	+1600	+1500	+1600
Draymond Green	+2800	+2900	+2800
Jaren Jackson Jr.	+2800	+2900	+3000
Rudy Gobert	+3000	+2900	+3000
OG Anunoby	+4500	+4200	+5000
Giannis Antetokounmpo	+4500	+4200	+5000

Odds as of 11-12

2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year favorites

Victor Wembanyama was a -170 favorite when the season began, then saw his odds move to as long as +170 a couple of weeks into the season, with Oklahoma City big man Chet Holmgren his biggest threat.

However, Holmgren suffered a fractured pelvis on Sunday and is expected to miss significant time — this led to him falling completely off the odds board, Wembanyama moving back to as short as -200, and nobody else even remotely close.

Cleveland's Evan Mobley, Lakers star Anthony Davis, and Miami's Bam Adebayo are the closest to Wemby and the only players shorter than 20/1.

After that trio comes a glut of players at around +3000 or longer.

Per BetMGM, the current leader in bets and handle is Wembanyama, while the biggest liability is Warriors veteran Draymond Green, who was around the +6600 mark but has since jumped up to around 28/1.

Understanding NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds

Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. We'll use 2022-23's DPOY race as an example: 

As the season progressed, with Jaren Jackson Jr. having been a big favorite, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number: 

• Jaren Jackson Jr. -150

This means that a bettor needs to wager $150 to win $100. Other candidates with worse odds would have a plus (+) sign ahead of the number. Early in the season, before any clear favorite is established, betting options will be listed as such: 

• Brook Lopez +650

Here, a bettor stands to profit $650 for every $100 wagered on Lopez.

If American odds aren't your thing, simply use our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.

How is the NBA Defensive Player of the Year decided?

Individual defensive performance

The NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award primarily focuses on an individual player's defensive prowess: Their ability to disrupt opponents' offensive plays, defend against various positions, and limit scoring opportunities while creating turnovers.

Statistical impact

Stats play a significant role in assessing a player's defensive performance. When evaluating potential candidates for the Defensive Player of the Year award, consider the following key statistics:

Blocks: Rim protection is a crucial aspect of a big man’s defensive ability. Look for players who consistently rank among the league leaders in blocks per game and block rate. 

Steals: Players with a high number of steals per game showcase their ability to anticipate plays, generate turnovers, and prevent scoring opportunities.

Rebounding: Rebounding is an essential defensive skill. Pay attention to players who excel in defensive rebounding, as it shows their ability to secure possessions for their team and prevent second-chance points.

Defensive rating (and other advanced metrics): Defensive rating quantifies a player's defensive impact by measuring the number of points allowed per 100 possessions while they’re on the court. A low defensive rating signifies a player's ability to limit opponents' scoring.

Consistency and durability 

Consistency and durability are key factors to consider when evaluating potential DPOY winners. A player who appears in a significant number of games and doesn’t waver night-to-night is more likely to receive recognition.

Impact on team defense

While individual performance is crucial, a player’s impact on an elite team defense is equally important. Look for players who elevate the defensive capabilities of their entire team. Analyze how a player's presence on the court affects their team's defensive efficiency, communication, and overall success. A strong candidate will anchor their team's D, consistently guarding the opponent's biggest threat and enabling better defense from teammates.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting trends

Here are some trends to keep in mind when betting on NBA DPOY:

• This is historically a big man's trophy. 17 of the past 20 winners, and 32 of the 42 overall, have been centers or power forwards. 
  
  
• No player since Alvin Robertson (1986) has won DPOY with three or fewer years of experience.
  
  
• No DPOY winner's team has ever missed the playoffs.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year history

NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds FAQ

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