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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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 |
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