The NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award selection process is straightforward. Voters tend to pick the best defensive player on one of the best defensive teams in the league.
That formula led to Rudy Gobert claiming his fourth DPOY award in 2023-24, as he led a Minnesota Timberwolves team that ranked first in defensive rating and first in points allowed per 100 possessions.
Remarkably, 11 of the previous 12 winners have played on a team that ranked first or second in defensive rating. All 12 of those DPOY winners were on a team that ranked first or second in points allowed per 100 possessions, a testament to the consistency of this formula.
But oddsmakers must expect that to change this season, with San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama starting as an overwhelming NBA betting favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year in 2024-25.'
Odds to Win 2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
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| Player | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | Spurs | -250 |
| Rudy Gobert | Timberwolves | +900 |
| Bam Adebayo | Heat | +1600 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bucks | +1600 |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | Grizzlies | +1800 |
| Anthony Davis | Lakers | +1800 |
| Evan Mobley | Cavaliers | +2000 |
| Chet Holmgren | Thunder | +2200 |
| OG Anunoby | Knicks | +2500 |
| Joel Embiid | 76ers | +2500 |