Skip to main content
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after drawing a technical foul as we look at amendments to sports betting legislation in Minnesota.
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after drawing a technical foul on a dunk. Photo by Kevin C. Cox via AFP

Before winning the award, Rudy Gobert was the clear favorite to win the 2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year based on the latest NBA odds from our top NBA betting sites.

After two seasons of not being the top choice, Rudy Gobert regained his status as the frontrunner for NBA Defensive Player of the Year during the 2023-24 season, making history with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Gobert solidified his status as the frontrunner to win his fourth DPOY award by earning top odds on our top sports betting sites. With this victory, he now joins Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo as the players with the most DPOY awards in NBA history. Despite strong competition from Victor Wembanyana and Bam Adebayo, the T-Wolves center emerged as the clear winner.

For four months, he dominated the top positions in this market. Despite Wembanyama’s rise in the NBA Rookie of the Year odds, he couldn’t surpass the defensive leader of one of the top teams favored to win the NBA championship.

Below are the latest odds for the 2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, as provided by our top sports betting apps.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds 2024

Updated odds as of April 9th.

PlayerDraftKingsFanDuelbet365
Rudy Gobert-3000-3500 -3500
Victor Wembanyama+1000 +1100 +1100 
Bam Adebayo+20000+19000 +15000
Anthony Davis+20000+19000+12500
Jarrett Allen+20000+19000+20000
Derrick White+20000OFFOFF

2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner

Rudy Gobert (-3500 via bet365)

Starting the season with odds of +1000 or higher to win Defensive Player of the Year at our top sportsbooks, Gobert saw his odds decrease as the season progressed. Despite having won the award three times before, it was surprising that he initially had such high odds. However, those who bet on him early were rewarded for their research and insight.

Despite Wemby’s increase in blocks during the final month of the campaign, it was difficult to envision Gobert losing his top spots due to his impressive statistics. Gobert held the top spot in defensive win shares with 5.8 during the 2023-24 season, had the best defensive rating of 106.6 among players who played at least 24 minutes per game, and ranked sixth with 2.1 blocks per game.

Gobert’s presence as Minnesota’s defensive leader helped the Timberwolves achieve the top spot in the NBA for defensive rating (109.0), the lowest points allowed per game (106.5), and the fifth-highest average of defensive rebounds per game (34.5).

NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds over time

Gobert started as a long shot at +1000 to win the award, but quickly emerged as the favorite in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year market. He maintained his position at the top of the oddsboard for months, with his odds temporarily lengthening during the All-Star break before shortening again in the second half of the season.

As Jarrett Allen and Bam Adebayo fell out of contention for the Defensive Player of the Year award, it seemed that Wembanyama was the only viable competitor against Gobert. However, Wemby never came close to surpassing Gobert, who ultimately won the award once again.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year opening odds

As of October 24, 2023, the current odds are…

PlayerOdds
Jaren Jackson Jr.+500
Evan Mobley+700
Giannis Antetokounmpo+800
Anthony Davis+900
Bam Adebayo+1200
Victor Wembanyama+1300
Brook Lopez+2000
Rudy Gobert+2000
Walker Kessler+2200
Draymond Green+2500
Joel Embiid+2500
Jrue Holiday+2500
Nicolas Claxton+2500
Chet Holmgren+4000
Mikal Bridges+4000
Ben Simmons+5000
Herbert Jones+5000
Jarrett Allen+5000
Luguentz Dort+5000
Myles Turner+5000
OG Anunoby+5000
Robert Williams III+5000

Recent NBA Defensive Player of the Year winners

YearNameTeamPreseason odds
2023-24Rudy GobertMinnesota Timberwolves+2000
2022-23Jaren Jackson Jr.Memphis Grizzlies+2000
2021-22Marcus SmartBoston Celtics+4000
2020-21Rudy GobertUtah Jazz+300
2019-20Giannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee Bucks+400
2018-19Rudy GobertUtah Jazz+163
2017-18Rudy GobertUtah Jazz+325
2016-17Draymond GreenGolden State Warriors+550
2015-16Kawhi LeonardSan Antonio Spurs+550

NBA Defensive Player of the Year FAQs

Who was the favorite for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year?

Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves was the overwhelming favorite to win the 2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, with closing odds of -3000. At one point, his odds were as low as -3500, indicating a 97.22% chance of winning based on our odds calculator.

Who won NBA Defensive Player of the Year this year?

In the 2023-24 season, Rudy Gobert secured his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves, who led the league in defensive rating by allowing the fewest points per game, benefitted greatly from Gobert’s exceptional defensive skills.

Who won NBA Defensive Player of the Year last year?

Jaren Jackson Jr. earned the 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for his impressive averages of 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game.

When will NBA Defensive Player of the Year be decided?

The award for the 2023-24 season was announced on Tuesday, May 7, during the NBA playoffs, indicating that we can anticipate next year’s award to be determined around the same time.

NBA betting odds pages

Here are our best NBA betting sites:

If you are 21 or older and have a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER. Bonuses cannot be used in Ontario.

Related pages