Last season, Rudy Gobert joined the ranks of legends like Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo, becoming just the third player in NBA history to secure four Defensive Player of the Year awards.
But will he be the first to achieve five?
Current NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds suggest otherwise, with San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama emerging as the clear favorite.
Wembanyama's impressive second-half performance made him the top contender for NBA Rookie of the Year and positioned him as Gobert's main rival for the Defensive Player of the Year title last season.
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As he heads into his second year as a legitimate MVP candidate, Wemby is the leading choice for Defensive Player of the Year.
However, players like Chet Holmgren and Bam Adebayo could provide better value in the race to challenge the rising star from the Spurs.
2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds
| To Win 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | -150 | -150 | -170 |
| Chet Holmgren | +350 | +350 | +350 |
| Anthony Davis | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Bam Adebayo | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Evan Mobley | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Rudy Gobert | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
| OG Anunoby | +3500 | +3500 | +3500 |
| Alex Caruso | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Draymond Green | +6000 | +6000 | +6000 |
Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama, the French international, has captured the attention of NBA fans with an extraordinary rookie season that earned him Rookie of the Year honors and a second-place finish in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Given his strong finish to the season, itās no wonder Wembanyama is viewed as a top contender for the award.
He led the league in blocks with an impressive average of 3.6 per game, 1.2 ahead of the next closest player, and was one of only two players to average over 2 blocks and 1 steal per game last season.
Victor Wembanyama's efficient night leads the @spurs to the win in their home opener!
š½ 29 PTS
š½ 10-17 FGM
š½ 7 REB
š½ 3 BLK pic.twitter.com/Oh4UawYHhT— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2024
The main argument against him winning the award may revolve around the Spurs not ranking among the league's elite defenses and facing a tough battle to secure a playoff spot in a competitive Western Conference.
However, with Wembanyama's remarkable ability to influence the game both defensively and offensively, coupled with his growing profile as a global superstar, he seems like the standout choice for the award, especially if he continues to progress.
Oddsmakers have pegged Wembyanyama as favorite for Defensive Player of the Year with a -150 odds.
Chet Holmgren
After sitting out his first eligible season due to injury, Chet Holmgren burst onto the NBA scene in 2023-24 as one of the standout rookies.
Throughout 82 games, he emerged as the primary contender against Wembanyama for the Rookie of the Year title.
Holmgren's contributions went beyond his offensive skills; his defensive prowess was crucial to the Thunder's overall success last season.
With added defensive support, he is likely to enhance his effectiveness for the Thunder this year and will be a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.
Chet Holmgren blocks Nikola Jokic and then runs the floor for an emphatic trailer dunkā¦ https://t.co/C7CSx9mVuk
— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) October 25, 2024
Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder ranked fourth in defensive rating at 112.1, and Holmgren shared the fifth-highest defensive win shares in the league (4.4) with Wembanyama.
Holmgren has the second-best odds at +350 to win the award.
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Bam Adebayo
He has just made the leap to First-Team NBA All-Defense after four consecutive selections to the second team, while the Miami Heat continue to be one of the top defensive squads in the league.
Adebayo, who finished in third place for the Defensive Player of the Year award, is ready to make another run for it this season.
Under Adebayo's leadership last year, the Heat allowed only 108.4 points per game, the third-fewest in the league, and ranked fifth in defensive rating with 112.2.
LaMelo Ball should know better than to try & take Bam Adebayo off the dribble.@hothothoops @5ReasonsSports #HEATNation pic.twitter.com/DYHt0ixDXx
— Matt Hanifan (@mph_824_) October 27, 2024
However, one challenge for Adebayo in pursuing the award is his limited block production. The award typically favors players with higher block and steal counts, and Adebayo averaged just 0.9 blocks per game last season.
He did, however, record 1.1 steals per game and ranked seventh in win shares with 4.3.
While his overall defensive efforts are solid, they may not stand out as much as his competitors, so he must elevate his game to secure the top honor.
Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and the current recipient of the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy, has odds that catch some off guard.
Despite the skepticism often expressed on social media about his abilities, he remains the top defensive presence in the NBA. Gobert not only leads the league in defensive prowess but also brings a wealth of experience against various offensive strategies.
He was the backbone of the Timberwolvesā defense, which ranked first in points allowed per game (106.5) and defensive rating (109) last season.
Rudy Gobert defense pic.twitter.com/BkAGwmsPYv
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) October 27, 2024
Securing a fifth Defensive Player of the Year award would set a new record, and itās likely the Timberwolves will continue to thrive with Gobert as their defensive anchor.
However, I doubt the voters will award him the trophy for a fifth time, which would make him the most celebrated defensive player in the sport's history.
I also donāt expect him to lead the league in defensive win shares again after achieving 5.8 last season.
Wembanyama, Holmgren, and Adebayo are close behind, and there's a strong expectation for Wemby to elevate his game and that of the Spurs this season.
Moreover, Gobertās performance in the playoffs raised concerns, making him somewhat ineffective, which likely left a negative impression on the voters.
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