Marcus Smart upended the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds last season, not only mounting a considerable late rally from longshot status, but becoming the first guard to win DPOY in over 25 years.
However, books are predicting a different story for 2022-23, with Smart's odds to win DPOY considerably worse than the contenders he beat out — including his own teammate.
Here's an early look at the odds for 2023 NBA DPOY:
Closing odds to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year
| Player | DPOY Odds |
|---|---|
| Rudy Gobert | +550 |
| Robert Williams | +750 |
| Bam Adebayo | +700 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +900 |
| Draymond Green | +1,100 |
| Marcus Smart | +1,200 |
| Mikal Bridges | +1,400 |
| Anthony Davis | +1,400 |
| Joel Embiid | +2,100 |
| Jrue Holiday | +2,700 |
| Myles Turner | +2,700 |
| Ben Simmons | +2,700 |
| Evan Mobley | +2,800 |
| Jarrett Allen | +3,000 |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | +3,000 |
| Kawhi Leonard | +4,600 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook, August 2, 2022.
Favorites to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Rudy Gobert (+550)
Rudy Gobert gets to start 2022-23 fresh on a new team that paid an arm, leg, and perhaps its short-term sanity to land the embattled Utah center.
Now away from all the chemistry issues and hot-seat pressure the Jazz weathered last year, Gobert is surrounded by (slightly) more functional perimeter defense, not to mention a fast-paced system that will help him pad his stats.
Not that there was much room for improvement: Gobert once again led the league in DRPM last season, while also pulling down the most defensive rebounds and finishing third in blocks per game. Utah's defense completely cratered when he was injured, which makes one wonder what's in store for the Jazz without him.
Robert Williams (+750)
Time Lord finally got starter's minutes in 2021-22, and became an utter force on D, leading the entire league in defensive rating and finishing second in blocks per game.
Robert Williams' on/off numbers painted a player who was crucial to Boston's league-leading defense, and had he not been injured late in the season, he very well could have lifted the DPOY trophy instead of Smart.
Regardless, he returns as one of the top choices for 2023's DPOY, with the Celtics fresh off a Finals run and ready to unleash their midseason-breakthrough defense on the NBA for a full campaign.
Bam Adebayo (+750)
Bam Adebayo, like many of last season's top DPOY contenders, simply missed too much time in the eyes of voters.
When healthy, Bam is one of the most versatile and effective roving disruptors in basketball, equally comfortable busting up a pick and roll or stifling an attacker at the rim.
Adebayo places high across the board in defensive metrics, while Miami's D is consistently among the NBA's best. If he stays on the court, count on him contending for this award all season long.
Understanding NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. We'll use 2019-20's Rookie of the Year odds race as an example:
As the season progressed, with Ja Morant having been a huge favorite, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number:
- Ja Morant -500
This means that a bettor needs to wager $500 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:
- Zion Williamson +650
Here, a bettor stands to profit $650 for every $100 wagered.
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.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year history
| Year | NBA DPOY winner |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2003-04 | Ron Artest |
| 2002-03 | Ben Wallace |
| 2001-02 | Ben Wallace |
| 2000-01 | Dikembe Mutombo |
NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds FAQ
Boston's Marcus Smart won the 2021-22 DPOY award.
Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo are tied for the all-time record with four apiece.
Marcus Smart is currently +1,800 to win DPOY.
