2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds: Gobert's Lead Insurmountable

Last season saw perennial contender Rudy Gobert fall from the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds favorites, as the Minnesota Timberwolves came up well short of preseason expectations.

2023-24 has been an entirely different story, with the Wolves dominating on defense, and Gobert wreaking havoc on the DPOY NBA futures market.  

The three-time winner may have this award wrapped up; despite a late charge by rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, Gobert was installed as a heavily-prohibitive NBA odds favorite to win 2024 Defensive Player of the Year when markets closed.

Odds to win 2023-24 NBA Defensive Player of the Year

Player	Team
Rudy Gobert	Minnesota Timberwolves	-3,000	-3,500	-3,500
Victor Wembanyama	San Antonio Spurs	+1,000	+1,100	+1,100
Bam Adebayo	Miami Heat	+20,000	+19,000	+15,000
Anthony Davis	Los Angeles Lakers	+20,000	+19,000	+12,500
Jarrett Allen	Cleveland Cavaliers	+20,000	+19,000	+20,000
Derrick White	Boston Celtics	+20,000	OTB*	OTB

*Off the board — selection not available
All odds OTB, closing prices listed as of last update.

Favorite to win 2023-24 NBA Defensive Player of the Year

Rudy Gobert (-3,000 to -3,500)  

Rudy Gobert was supposed to carry the Timberwolves to the West's upper echelon after they overpaid to trade for him last summer, but after stalling out initially, everything appears to be clicking for Minny this season. 

The Wolves own the NBA's best defensive rating by a comfortable margin, and not only did Gobert lead the league in individual D-rating (by a huge margin), but buoying the rest of the Wolves, who impressively and improbably occupy five spots in the league's Top 14.

As a result, this Minnesota team, just a year removed from mass infighting, is among the West's best, in large part because of its defense, with Gobert clearly anchoring at an all-World level. Their success in Karl-Anthony Towns' prolonged absence should only serve to cement Gobert's DPOY status.

Gobert was a comfortable favorite early in the season, moving to odds-on around Christmas and steadily pulling away from the field. Several major books had retired this market as of a few weeks ago, but speculation had caused them to re-open. Still, Gobert remains a prohibitive favorite, and is highly unlikely to be upset, even with Victor Wembanyama's insane numbers over the past couple of months.

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Understanding NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds

Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. We'll use 2022-23's DPOY race as an example: 

As the season progressed, with Jaren Jackson Jr. having been a big favorite, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number: 

• Jaren Jackson Jr. -150

This means that a bettor needs to wager $150 to win $100. Other candidates with worse odds would have a plus (+) sign ahead of the number. Early in the season, before any clear favorite is established, betting options will be listed as such: 

• Brook Lopez +650

Here, a bettor stands to profit $650 for every $100 wagered on Lopez.

If American odds aren't your thing, simply use our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.

How is the NBA Defensive Player of the Year decided?

Individual defensive performance

The NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award primarily focuses on an individual player's defensive prowess: Their ability to disrupt opponents' offensive plays, defend against various positions, and limit scoring opportunities while creating turnovers.

Statistical impact

Stats play a significant role in assessing a player's defensive performance. When evaluating potential candidates for the Defensive Player of the Year award, consider the following key statistics:

Blocks: Rim protection is a crucial aspect of a big man’s defensive ability. Look for players who consistently rank among the league leaders in blocks per game and block rate. 

Steals: Players with a high number of steals per game showcase their ability to anticipate plays, generate turnovers, and prevent scoring opportunities.

Rebounding: Rebounding is an essential defensive skill. Pay attention to players who excel in defensive rebounding, as it shows their ability to secure possessions for their team and prevent second-chance points.

Defensive rating (and other advanced metrics): Defensive rating quantifies a player's defensive impact by measuring the number of points allowed per 100 possessions while they’re on the court. A low defensive rating signifies a player's ability to limit opponents' scoring.

Consistency and durability 

Consistency and durability are key factors to consider when evaluating potential DPOY winners. A player who appears in a significant number of games and doesn’t waver night-to-night is more likely to receive recognition.

Impact on team defense

While individual performance is crucial, a player’s impact on an elite team defense is equally important. Look for players who elevate the defensive capabilities of their entire team. Analyze how a player's presence on the court affects their team's defensive efficiency, communication, and overall success. A strong candidate will anchor their team's D and make their teammates better defenders.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year betting trends

Here are some trends to keep in mind when betting on NBA DPOY:

• This is historically a big man's trophy. Sixteen of the past 19 winners, and 31 of the 41 overall, have been centers or power forwards. 
  
  
• No player since Alvin Robertson (1986) has won DPOY with three or fewer years of experience.
  
  
• No DPOY winner's team has ever missed the playoffs.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year history

NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds FAQ

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