Coming off a Co-Defensive Player of the Year campaign in 2025, Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson stands alone as the betting favorite in the 2026 DPOY odds market at BetMGM.
Read on for the latest WNBA betting odds and best predictions for the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award:
Odds to Win WNBA Defensive Player of the Year 2026
| Player | Team | Current Odds | Preseason Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| A'ja Wilson | Aces | -145 | +250 |
| Rhyne Howard | Dream | +800 | N/A |
| Gabby Williams | Valkyries | +900 | +1100 |
| Breanna Stewart | Liberty | +1100 | +1200 |
| Angel Reese | Dream | +1600 | +900 |
| Aliyah Boston | Fever | +2200 | +750 |
| Emily Engstler | Fire | +3300 | N/A |
| Natasha Howard | Lynx | +4000 | OTB |
| Alyssa Thomas | Mercury | +5000 | +1200 |
| Veronica Burton | Valkyries | +5000 | +5000 |
| Kamilla Cardoso | Sky | +5000 | +5000 |
| Jordin Canada | Dream | +5000 | OTB |
| Dominique Malonga | Storm | +5000 | +4000 |
| Jonquel Jones | Liberty | +6000 | +2500 |
| Napheesa Collier | Lynx | +8000 | +1400 |
Who is the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Favorite in 2026?
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson remains the clear frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year at BetMGM, where her -145 odds reflect an implied probability of 59.18%.
The three-time DPOY winner shared last year’s award with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith — a first in WNBA history — but Wilson made the stronger individual case. She paced the league in blocks per game (2.3), total rebounds (407), defensive rebounds (316), and combined steals and blocks (156). She also anchored a dominant stretch run, guiding Las Vegas through a 16-game winning streak to close the regular season while claiming her fourth career MVP.
Smith’s case was built on team success: the Lynx posted the league’s best defensive rating (97.5), and she ranked second in combined steals and blocks (135) and third in blocks per game (1.9).
Since then, Smith signed a three-year, $3.75 million deal with the Dallas Wings. With Smith still finding her footing on a new team, Wilson has held firm atop the betting board since the market opened.
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Prediction 2026
Prediction: A’ja Wilson
Wilson won’t turn 30 until Aug. 8, yet her trophy case is already full. She’s the only player in league history to win four MVP awards, and her three Defensive Player of the Year trophies (2022, 2023, and 2025) underscore just how dominant she’s been on both ends.
The main variable for 2026 is how locked in Las Vegas will be during the regular season. The one year Wilson missed out on DPOY honors, 2024, the Aces finished fourth in wins and fifth in defensive rating — a noticeable dip from the top-two seed finishes that accompanied each of her three winning campaigns.
If Las Vegas is fully invested and reclaims a top seed, this award is Wilson’s to lose. But if the Aces take their foot off the gas, the door opens for real competition.
Gabby Williams, Rhyne Howard, Angel Reese, Alyssa Thomas, and Breanna Stewart all have the profiles to make a run. Collier could also have a case if she returns from injury early enough. If Collier doesn’t return soon, Natasha Howard is a long shot worth monitoring as she anchors an elite Minnesota defense.
Best challenger:Â Rhyne Howard
Value to watch:Â Breanna Stewart
Long shot to monitor:Â Natasha Howard
2025 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Voting
| Player | Team | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| A’ja Wilson | Aces | 29 |
| Alanna Smith | Lynx | 29 |
| Gabby Williams | Storm | 9 |
| Alyssa Thomas | Sun | 3 |
| Napheesa Collier | Lynx | 2 |
List of WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Winners
| Year | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | A'ja Wilson | Las Vegas |
| 2024 | Napheesa Collier | Minnesota |
| 2023 | A’ja Wilson | Las Vegas |
| 2022 | A’ja Wilson | Las Vegas |
| 2021 | Sylvia Fowles | Minnesota |
| 2020 | Candace Parker | Los Angeles |
| 2019 | Natash Howard | Seattle |
| 2018 | Alana Beard | Los Angeles |
| 2017 | Alana Beard | Los Angeles |
| 2016 | Sylvia Fowles | Minnesota |
| 2015 | Brittney Griner | Phoenix |
| 2014 | Brittney Griner | Phoenix |
| 2013 | Sylvia Fowles | Chicago |
| 2012 | Tamika Catchings | Indiana |
| 2011 | Sylvia Fowles | Chicago |
| 2010 | Tamika Catchings | Indiana |
| 2009 | Tamika Catchings | Indiana |
| 2008 | Lisa Leslie | Los Angeles |
| 2007 | Lauren Jackson | Seattle |
| 2006 | Tamika Catchings | Indiana |
| 2005 | Tamika Catchings | Indiana |
| 2004 | Lisa Leslie | Los Angeles |
| 2003 | Sheryl Swoopes | Houston |
| 2002 | Sheryl Swoopes | Houston |
| 2001 | Debbie Black | Miami |
| 2000 | Sheryl Swoopes | Houston |
| 1999 | Yolanda Griffith | Sacramento |
| 1998 | Teresa Weatherspoon | New York |
| 1997 | Teresa Weatherspoon | New York |
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