The NBA’s top point guards are ready to make their case — but the odds table suggests one player is a clear step forward.
With rising stars and former winners in the mix, the race features plenty of challengers looking to shake up the table.
So who will take home Defensive Player of the Year?
Let’s take a look at the odds to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year at bet365 Sportsbook from October 28th.
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What you need to know: Can anyone catch Victor Wembanyama? At -400, he is the overwhelming favorite after averaging 3.1 blocks and 11.5 rebounds last season. Opponents had a much harder time scoring with him on the floor, as his team allowed 9.1 fewer points per 100 possessions than when he sat. Wemby looks set to win this award in back-to-back seasons. So far this season, he leads the NBA with 4.3 blocks per game, averaging over a block more than the next player.
What you need to know: Holmgren is Wembanyama’s closest challenger at +1200, but he has a lot of ground to make up. He averaged 1.9 blocks and 8.9 rebounds last season, while his team allowed 6.5 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court. He was first team All-Defense. Through three games this season, he is averaging 3.1 blocks per game, second most in the NBA. Could it be his first Defensive Player of the Year award?
What you need to know: Great men have company. Thompson has the third best odds at +2500 after averaging 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks in just 26 minutes per game last season. His ability to thwart offenses gives him a chance to break into a competition often dominated by rim protectors. He was first-team All-Defense last season. He has at least one steal in all three of his games this season and a block in two of those three.
What you need to know: Barnes is the do-it-all power forward. He can guard almost five positions on the field and was second-team All-Defense last year when he averaged 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks. Barnes had four steals in the Raptors’ loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday, and his defensive responsibilities could increase with Kawhi Leonard sidelined for the next few weeks.
What you need to know: Can Gobert make history with his fifth Defensive Player of the Year award? The four-time winner averaged 11.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks last season. His impact on defense remains hard to ignore: His team allowed nine fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor last season. He has made nine All-Defensive teams in his career. However, his odds have dropped from +3000 to +4500 as he has recorded just two blocks in four games in 2026.
With Wembanyama heavily favored to win his second consecutive DPOY award, bet365 has also posted odds that pit him against the rest of the NBA combined.
Here are those odds.
Victor Wembanyama wins DPOY: -400
Field to win DPOY: +275