2027 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds, Analysis & Favorites

NBA

• Victor Wembanyama opens as the runaway -350 favorite following a historic 2025-26 campaign.
• San Antonio’s phenom became the first unanimous DPOY winner in NBA history last spring.
• Chet Holmgren and Ausar Thompson follow Wemby, but their odds are way lower.

Award Context

• Defending Winner: Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
• Key Historical Trend: Every winner since 2018 has averaged at least 1.6 blocks per game while anchoring a top-5 defensive rating team.

2026-27 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Opening Odds

2027 NBA DPOY Favorites

Victor Wembanyama (-350)

Wemby’s NBA DPOY odds reveal how big of a favorite he is. The alien centerpiece of San Antonio made history in April 2026 by taking home the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy via the first unanimous vote in award history. Wembanyama led the NBA in blocks for a third consecutive season (3.08 BPG), anchoring San Antonio’s jump into a top-tier defensive rating unit. At just 22 years old, he is the youngest DPOY recipient ever. Unless health forces him below the league’s 65-game minimum eligibility threshold, the market views Wemby as a lock to repeat.

Chet Holmgren (+900)

Holmgren finished as a top-3 finalist last season while being arguably the leader of Oklahoma City’s elite defense. Ranking second in the NBA in rim protection metrics with 1.90 BPG and 8.9 rebounds, Holmgren provides the Thunder with elite paint protection. If OKC secures the Western Conference No.1 seed and Wemby misses minor time, Holmgren is the primary beneficiary in NBA DPOY voter balloting.

Ausar Thompson (+2000)

Ausar Thompson established himself as the league’s top perimeter pest in 2025-26, finishing as a DPOY finalist after leading the NBA with 2.00 steals per game alongside 1.5 blocks. The Rockets have chances to take the top seed in the West, and if they do, Ausar can easily end up in the conversation for the award.

Rudy Gobert (+2500)

Gobert remains a rim-protecting pylon for Minnesota, but voter fatigue and shifts in team pace keep the four-time winner priced as an underdog chaser heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Remember, the T-Wolves now have LaMelo, and Gobert for sure won’t be able to keep up with his pace on the floor, meaning less time for the 4-time DPOY winner.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (DPOY)

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (DPOY) honors the league’s premier defensive force during the regular season. Established in the 1982–83 season, this prestigious award celebrates elite rim protectors, perimeter locks, and defensive anchors who dominate games on the defensive end.

Since the 2022–23 season, the winner receives the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy, named after the legendary Houston Rockets Hall of Famer and all-time blocks leader.

🏆 Eligibility and Voting Criteria

To qualify for the Defensive Player of the Year award, candidates must satisfy league standards:

• 65-Game Threshold: Under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), players must play at least 20 minutes in a minimum of 65 regular-season games to remain eligible.
• Regular Season Focus: Voting strictly evaluates regular-season performance; postseason metrics are not factored into the outcome.
• Voting Panel: A global media panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters determines the recipient using a 5-3-1 weighted voting system (first, second, and third-place votes).

🏀 Historical Milestones & Record Holders

• Most Wins (4): Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace, and Rudy Gobert share the record for most DPOY awards in NBA history.
• Inaugural Winner: Sidney Moncrief (1982–83, Milwaukee Bucks).
• Perimeter Winners: Only eight perimeter players have ever won the award, including Gary Payton, Kawhi Leonard, and Marcus Smart.
• Youngest & Unanimous Winner: Victor Wembanyama became the youngest and only unanimous DPOY winner in league history.

NBA DPOY Winners