One of the finest honors in professional basketball, especially in the fast-paced, high-scoring atmosphere of today’s NBA, is Defensive Player of the Year. The small percentage of lockdown defenders and elite rim protectors continue to separate themselves from the pack, and for this particular group DPOY might as well be MVP.
Throughout the NBA season, we have kept you apprised of the Defensive Player of the Year odds on BetMGM, a futures market that has seen plenty of fluctuations since the regular season tipped off in October.
The only fluctuation we’re seeing during the home stretch of the season? It’s Rudy Gobert’s odds, which continue to shorten as the field below him moves further and further away from the prize.
In terms of win probability, Gobert’s odds heading toward spring have jumped up to a mammoth 90 percent. With apologies to rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama and Cavs stud Jarrett Allen, it’s safe to say oddsmakers view the Stifle Tower as a stone-cold lock.
Let’s take a look at the updated futures odds for 2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year on BetMGM, an authorized gaming partner of the NBA. And don’t forget to check out all the other futures boards, including MVP and Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, and more.
2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds
All odds courtesy of BetMGM, an authorized partner of the NBA
| Player | Odds |
| Rudy Gobert | -900 |
| Victor Wembanyama | +1400 |
| Jarrett Allen | +1600 |
| Anthony Davis | +4000 |
| Chet Holmgren | +4000 |
| Bam Adebayo | +5000 |
| Derrick White | +5000 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | +25000 |
| Brook Lopez | +25000 |
| Jrue Holiday | +25000 |
| Herbert Jones | +25000 |
| Jaden McDaniels | +25000 |
| Jalen Suggs | +25000 |
| Scottie Barnes | +25000 |
Rudy Gobert (-900)
Gobert has always been a great defender, but what he’s done to transform the Timberwolves’ defense has been MasterClass-worthy. Minnesota ranks No. 1 in both defensive rating and scoring defense, despite playing in a loaded West during one of the highest-scoring seasons in NBA history. The Wolves finished 18th and 10th in those respective metrics last year.
The Stifle Tower’s individual metrics support his status as a frontrunner, too. Gobert ranks first in the NBA in defensive rating and defensive win shares, second in rebounds, and sixth in total blocks.
Gobert may not lead the NBA in rejections — a certain other Frenchman owns that distinction. However, as the best defender on one of the best teams in the West, the 7-1 veteran has more than made his case as a runaway favorite to win his fourth DPOY.
Victor Wembanyama (+1400)
Wemby has done things on the basketball court that we’ve never seen before, and he’s leading the best basketball league in the sport in blocked shots at the tender age of 19.
The 7-4 French phenom’s going to win so many Defensive Player of the Year awards before he retires, the NBA might as well institute an American Defensive Player of the Year award to give players not named Gobert and Wemby a shot at winning.
This may not be Wembanyama’s year — San Antonio has lived in the basement of the NBA all season, and doesn’t have nearly the team defensive metrics that Minnesota has put up all season. But it’s only a matter of time before he takes down this hardware and never looks back.
Jarrett Allen (+1600)
Any other year, Allen would be right there atop this race. But Gobert and the Wolves clicked and Wemby came onto the scene like a Monstar from Mars, so the Cavs’ big man has been completely overshadowed by his French counterparts.
If Allen doesn’t at least make an All-Defensive Team this year, it will be a grave injustice. Cleveland ranks second in both defensive rating and scoring defense, and he’s top 10 in defensive win shares, defensive rating, and rebounds.
The Cavs couldn’t have stayed the hottest team in the NBA during Evan Mobley’s injury if not for Allen, a fact that often gets lost in Donovan Mitchell highlights and Max Strus half-court heaves. This squad isn’t nearly the defensive powerhouse without Allen in the middle, even if he’s less flashy than the other names ahead of him.
