Victor Wembanyama went coast-to-coast in last year's NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds, and the San Antonio Spurs superstar has opened as the favorite to repeat in 2026-27.
Let's look at the latest NBA odds and see who might give Wemby a run for his money.
🏀 NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds
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NBA Defensive Player of the Year favorites
The 2026-27 NBA DPOY conversation starts, and probably ends, with Victor Wembanyama, whom Kalshi has at 77% to prevail. He won this award last year on the strength of 11.5 rebounds per game, a steal per game, and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game.
Wembanyama was runner-up as a rookie in the DPOY voting in 2023-24, and was ineligible in 2024-25 due to missed games. Last year's award felt like a long time coming, and I don't see "voter fatigue" setting in here.
Kalshi has tabbed Scottie Barnes with a 33% chance of winning, the only other player at double-digits. He finished fifth in the DPOY voting in 2025-26.
Barnes played 80 games and munched 33.5 minutes per contest. The power forward amassed 7.5 rebounds per game, 1.4 steals, and 1.5 blocks.
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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. 19 of the past 22 winners, and 34 of the 44 overall, have been centers or power forwards.
- No DPOY winner's team has ever missed the playoffs.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year history
| Year | NBA DPOY winner |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 |  Victor Wembanyama |
| 2024-25 |  Evan Mobley |
| 2023-24 |  Rudy Gobert |
| 2022-23 |  Jaren Jackson Jr. |
| 2021-22 |  Marcus Smart |
| 2020-21 |  Rudy Gobert |
| 2019-20 |  Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2018-19 | Rudy Gobert |
| 2017-18 | Rudy Gobert |
| 2016-17 |  Draymond Green |
| 2015-16 | Kawhi Leonard |
| 2014-15 | Kawhi Leonard |
| 2013-14 |  Joakim Noah |
| 2012-13 | Marc Gasol |
| 2011-12 |  Tyson Chandler |
| 2010-11 |  Dwight Howard |
| 2009-10 | Dwight Howard |
| 2008-09 | Dwight Howard |
| 2007-08 | Kevin Garnett |
| 2006-07 |  Marcus Camby |
| 2005-06 |  Ben Wallace |
| 2004-05 | Ben Wallace |
NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds FAQ
Victor Wembanyama is favored to win the 2026-27 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo are tied for the all-time record with four apiece.
