NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds & Favorites for 2027

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama made history during a Defensive Player of the Year campaign in 2025-26.

Wembanyama became the first unanimous DPOY winner in NBA history, a monumental feat considering how many legendary defenders have come through the league. He’s also the youngest Defensive Player of the Year, claiming his first trophy at 22 in his third NBA season.

Unsurprisingly, Wemby begins as a huge NBA odds favorite in the 2027 Defensive Player of the Year market.

Odds to Win NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2027

Who Will Win NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2027?

Victor Wembanyama has once again opened as a heavy favorite in the Defensive Player of the Year odds market. At -350, Wembanyama has an implied probability of 77.78%. It marks the third straight year that Wemby has started as a minus-odds frontrunner.

In 2025–26, Wembanyama began the year at -190 and went on to secure his first DPOY award. The season prior, he opened at -155 but saw his campaign cut short after 46 games. Had he remained healthy, he would have been well on track to win in 2024–25, highlighted by averages of 3.8 blocks, 9.2 defensive rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.

Durability once again became a storyline in 2025–26, as Wembanyama didn’t meet the league’s minimum-games requirement until the final weekend of the regular season. He ultimately finished with 65 appearances, aided by an additional game in the NBA Cup championship.

Despite the late qualification, his impact made him the clear choice for voters. Wembanyama earned all 100 first-place votes, becoming the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner in NBA history.

In his third season, he averaged 3.1 blocks, 1.0 steals, and 9.5 defensive rebounds per game, anchoring the San Antonio Spurs to the league’s third-best defensive rating and a No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. According to Databallr, San Antonio’s defense improved by 8.7 points per 100 possessions with him on the court.

At 7-foot-4, Wembanyama’s defensive ceiling remains unmatched, and he appears poised to contend for multiple DPOY awards. However, as the past two seasons have shown, his health will remain a key variable when evaluating future odds.

If Wembanyama misses time or falls short of eligibility again, the race could open up significantly. 

Chet Holmgren finished second in the 2026 voting, followed by Ausar Thompson in third. Evan Mobley took home the award in 2025, while Rudy Gobert claimed his fourth DPOY in 2024.

For a pair of dark-horse candidates, I’m intrigued by the opening values for Scottie Barnes (+4000) and Walker Kessler (+10000).

Still, entering 2027, Wembanyama stands as the clear player to beat.

Prediction: Victor Wembanyama

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Voting, 2025-26

List of Defensive Player of the Year Winners

Who Has Won the Most Defensive Player of the Year Awards in NBA History?

Three different players have won four Defensive Player of the Year Awards in NBA history:

• Rudy Gobert (2018, 2019, 2021, 2024)
• Dikembe Mutombo (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001)
• Ben Wallace (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006)

Who is the Oldest Player to Win NBA Defensive Player of the Year?

Dikembe Mutombo is the oldest player to win the NBA’s DPOY award, claiming the honor at 34 years old during the 2000-01 season.

Who is the Youngest Player to Win NBA Defensive Player of the Year?

Victor Wembanayma is the youngest player to win the NBA’s DPOY award, accomplishing the feat at 22 during the 2025-26 campaign.