2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds: Jackson Jr. Next Man Up with Wemby Out for the Season

Despite having a monster year defensively, Spurs have announced that star Victor Wembanyama has been shut down for the remainder of the 2024-25 season after being diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

Wemby was leading the pack as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds board leader, but eyes will now turn to Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. (-125) as the next man up for the award after the unfortunate news to San Antonio's rising star.

Find more NBA DPOY odds below.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds

Below is a look at NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds. Jaren Jackson Jr. (-125) is the current favorite.

Player
Jaren Jackson Jr.	-125
Evan Mobley	+105
Luguentz Dort	+1200
Dyson Daniels	+1300
Jalen Williams	+2500
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	+3000
Amen Thompson	+3500
Rudy Gobert	+6000
Bam Adebayo	+7000
Ivica Zubac	+10000
Giannis Antetokounmpo	+15000

Odds as of 2-20.

2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year favorites

Victor Wembanyama was a -170 favorite when the season began, but the focus will turn to Memphis' Jaren Jackson Jr. with Cleveland's Evan Mobley close behind following the news reported on Wemby.

Also near the top of the board is Atlanta's Dyson Daniels, who leads the NBA with more than three steals per game and was longer than 200/1 when the season started... but is now around the 10/1 range. 

Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes his way up the latest leaderboard odds, with teammate Luguentz Dort making his case for DPOY as well.

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NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting splits

Per BetMGM, was the leader in bets (21.1%) and total handle (36%) for the award is Wembanyama, who has gotten 21.1% of all tickets and 36% of the total handle for the award, but will now miss the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, the biggest liability remains Green, who was around the +6600 mark but has since jumped up to around 22/1.

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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