NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds 2025: Wembanyama Injury Ends Award Campaign
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds race was all wrapped up ... until it wasn't.
Victor Wembanyama was a heavily juiced favorite post-All-Star break, trading at -1600 at our best NBA betting sites. However, news that he suffered season-ending deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder means the award race is now wide open.
Wembanyama has fallen off oddsboards completely after failing to meet the 65-game minimum threshold set by the NBA for major awards. The San Antonio Spurs big man played in 46 games this year. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Evan Mobley are now locked in what appears to be a two-horse race for NBA DPOY.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds 2025
Odds via DraftKings as of Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.
- Jaren Jackson Jr. (-125)
- Evan Mobley (+120)
- Lu Dort (+1200)
- Dyson Daniels (+3500)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+3500)
- Bam Adebayo (+6000)
- Jalen Williams (+7500)
- Amen Thompson (+9000)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (+15000)
- Rudy Gobert (+15000)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds favorite 2025
Jaren Jackson Jr. Defensive Player of the Year odds (-125)
Jackson Jr. was the closest player to catching Wembanyama before the latter's season-ending injury. The 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year isn't replicating his remarkable numbers from his award-winning season (he notably averaged 3.0 blocks per game), but he's been excellent on that side of the ball.
JJJ's defensive numbers are still among the best in the league, as he averages 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals per contest. He's led Memphis to the seventh-best defensive rating heading into the second half of the season. As such, the one-time winner is trading at minus money following the Wembanyama news.
Best odds: -125 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 55.56%
NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds contender 2025
Evan Mobley Defensive Player of the Year odds (+120)
NBA Coach of the Year favorite Kenny Atkinson has turned the Cleveland Cavaliers into one of the league's best offensive units. While the uptick in scoring inside Rocket Arena has demanded all of the attention, there hasn't been much chatter about Cleveland's first-class defending.
The Cavs rank top-10 in defensive rating, and Evan Mobley is a huge reason for that success. His 1.5 blocks and 0.9 steals per game have him locked into a now-air tight DPOY race with Jackson. Could his proficiency on the defensive glass - the area where he separates himself from the aforementioned most - prove to be the difference?
A $10 winning wager at this stage returns $12 in profits, so Mobley is worth a flier as we head down the season's home stretch.
Best odds: +120 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 45.45%
NBA Defensive Player of the Year opening odds
- Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: -180
- Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves: +1100
- Bam Adebayo, Heat: +1200
- Chet Holmgren, Thunder: +1600
- Evan Mobley, Cavaliers: +1600
- Anthony Davis, Lakers: +1800
- Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies: +1800
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: +2000
- OG Anunoby, Knicks: +3000
- Alex Caruso, Thunder: +3000
- Joel Embiid, 76ers: +4000
Past NBA Defensive Player of the Year winners
| Year | Name | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Rudy Gobert | Minnesota Timberwolves | +2000 |
| 2022-23 | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Memphis Grizzlies | +2000 |
| 2021-22 | Marcus Smart | Boston Celtics | +4000 |
| 2020-21 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz | +300 |
| 2019-20 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | +400 |
| 2018-19 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz | +163 |
| 2017-18 | Rudy Gobert | Utah Jazz | +325 |
| 2016-17 | Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors | +550 |
| 2015-16 | Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs | +550 |
How to bet on NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Betting on NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds is straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook offering NBA Defensive Player of the Year futures. Check the odds for various players; for instance, if Player A has +300 odds and Player B has +700, Player A is favored to win.
Place your bet by deciding how much to wager. If you bet $100 on Player A at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($100 stake + $300 profit). Keep an eye on player performances throughout the season to gauge your bet’s potential.
Now, why do odds move in future markets? It’s all about performance and perception. If a player performs exceptionally well or poorly, their odds will shift. Injuries to the player or their competitors can also significantly impact their Defensive Player of the Year chances.
The success of the player’s team can improve their odds as well. Public betting trends play a role; if many people are betting on one player, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk. Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, affecting the odds. Understanding these factors helps you make informed bets and potentially take advantage of favorable odds movements.
How to read NBA MVP odds
Reading NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds involves understanding the implied probability and potential payouts associated with each player's odds of winning the Defensive Player of the Year award. NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds are typically presented in American odds.
These use plus and minus symbols to indicate underdogs and favorites, respectively. For instance, if a player's odds are +500, a $100 bet would result in a $500 profit if the player wins, while odds of -200 would mean that a $200 bet is required to win $100 in profit.
When reading NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds, lower odds indicate that a player has a higher probability of winning the award, while higher odds suggest that a player is considered less likely to win. Bettors should consider factors such as a player's performance, team success, and narrative appeal when evaluating Defensive Player of the Year odds.
It's also important to compare odds across different sportsbooks to identify the best value bets. Additionally, bettors should keep in mind that Defensive Player of the Year odds can fluctuate throughout the season based on player performance, injuries, and other factors, so staying informed and monitoring odds changes can be crucial for making informed betting decisions.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year FAQs
Who is favored to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year?
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is the favorite to win NBA DPOY. His -125 odds imply a 55.56% probability that he'll win the award.
Who won NBA Defensive Player of the Year last year?
Rudy Gobert won his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023-24 and his first with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who ranked first in the NBA in defensive rating with the league's fewest points allowed per game.
When will NBA Defensive Player of the Year be decided?
With the 2023-24 award announced on Tuesday, May 7, during the NBA playoffs, we can expect next year's award to be decided at a similar time.
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