The NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds are on the move after a massive injury announcement! San Antonio Spurs’ standout Victor Wembanyama is out, and there has been a major shift in the DPOY betting markets.
Let’s delve into the details, and make our updated 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year predictions!
NBA DPOY Betting Odds for 2024-25
The following NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds are courtesy of Bovada:
PLAYER | ODDS |
---|---|
Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM) | -125 |
Evan Mobley (CLE) | +110 |
Dyson Daniels (ATL) | +1200 |
Luguentz Dort (OKC) | +2200 |
Draymond Green (GSW) | +3500 |
Jalen Williams (OKC) | +5000 |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | +5000 |
Rudy Gobert (MIN) | +8000 |
As a result of Wembanyama’s season-ending shoulder ailment, the 2025 DPOY odds have suffered a major shake-up! Wembanyama was a -2500 betting favorite to win before the huge injury news. He was essentially a lock to win Defensive Player of the Year.
However, injuries are part of the game, and there is a new favorite to win the top defensive honor. Currently, Jaren Jackson Jr. (-125) has the best odds to capture the award, with a 55.6% implied probability.
According to NBA betting sites, it’s a two-player race between Jackson Jr. and Evan Mobley. Mobley has the second-shortest odds at +110, which suggests a 47.6% chance of winning. DPOY odds drop off steeply to Dyson Daniels (+1200) afterward.
Before I go through the main players and share my DPOY predictions for 2025, you should know that Bovada offers odds on many other players. Simply go to Bovada > Basketball > NBA Awards and League Leaders.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Betting Favorites
With “Wemby” out of the picture, the race for DPOY looks completely different. Let’s evaluate the new favorites and find the best value on the board:
Jaren Jackson Jr. (-125)
The 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year is the new favorite to win the award. Jaren Jackson Jr. has spent all seven years of his career with the Grizzlies. The 25-year-old is a multi-talented, all-around forward capable of doing a little of everything.
#NBAAllStar Spotlight: Jaren Jackson Jr., @memgrizz
⭐️ 2nd All-Star Selection
🏀 Team Kenny
🗒️ Only NBA player to have at least 100 three-pointers made, 80 blocks and 60 steals this season. pic.twitter.com/o4wv4nsmOL— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 10, 2025
“JJJ” is much more than a defensive star exclusively. He can score in the paint, pull up front outside, and solid ball handling for a big man. However, the Grizzlies highly covet Jackson Jr.’s defense the most.
If you blindly look at Jackson Jr.’s defensive stats, then he doesn’t look like a DPOY contender. Step on the floor against him, and it’s clear he deserves to be in the conversation.
Jackson Jr. is a pest for guards on the perimeter, consistently applying pressure and causing headaches. His 7’5” wingspan is a problem for offenses looking to get comfortable. Again, his stats aren’t that speculator. Jackson Jr. is averaging six rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.
That being said, he passes the eye test with flying colors and does a lot of things that never show up on a stat sheet. The durable defender currently ranks 13th in the league, posting a defensive rating of 108.8.
Is it enough to win the 2024-25 DOPY award, though? While “JJJ” is a fantastic defender, I’m not quick to back -125 odds!
Evan Mobley (+110)
Cleveland Cavaliers’ anchor Evan Mobley is in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year honors. Mobley has been a force for the Cavaliers on both ends of the floor this season.
The fourth-year center is reaching new highs and is one of the primary reasons the Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference at 44-10. Mobley can’t be stopped some nights, as he takes over games defensively and offensively.
Block the shot.
Secure possession.
Push it 94 feet.
Hammer it down.This Evan Mobley sequence 🤯
He's up to 14 points on NBA TV: https://t.co/nmLIQZ9zn7 pic.twitter.com/oNeZnUoknr
— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2024
In addition to his size, Mobley is one of the most agile seven-footers in the NBA. He can run down smaller players, while still getting physical against big men in the paint.
It’s helped him average 9.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. Like Jackson Jr., Mobley doesn’t put up jaw-dropping numbers on defense. However, his impact on the defensive floor is obvious.
An important aspect of Mobley’s game that gets overlooked by some pundits is his ability to stay out of foul trouble. Unlike Jackson Jr., Mobley plays defense while avoiding fouls. He is 99th in the NBA, with 2.08 fouls committed per game.
Conversely, Jackson Jr. gets tagged for the fourth most fouls at 3.35. Mobley is averaging fewer fouls by a considerable margin while playing slightly more minutes per contest. Additionally, Mobley’s defensive rating of 108 puts him four spots ahead of his closest rival!
Dyson Daniels (+1200)
Of the outside contenders in the DPOY hunt, Atlanta Hawks’ guard Dyson Daniels is the most likely winner. Currently, Daniels’ NBA Defensive Player of the year odds suggest it’s a longshot with a 7.7% implied chance of victory.
That said, Daniels has done enough to warrant more respect. He has a motor that doesn’t quit and is always seeking to make a play. Daniels is incredibly stout at the point of attack and can chase down opponents in transition.
The 21-year-old Aussie holds a 110.4 defensive rating for 21st in the NBA. He made a huge splash to open the season, as Daniels was rewarded with the NBA Defensive Player of the Month for October and November.
Heading into December, Daniels led the league in steals and deflections, and he still does have the most steals and deflections per game this season. He is averaging more than one steal better than second!
The emerging star has three steals per game, while Tyrese Maxey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are tied for second with 1.9.
My chief concern with Daniels is that he isn’t playing on a good team. The Hawks are eighth in the NBA and not a playoff contender. That has an impact on voters, so it’s something to consider when making your NBA DPOY 2025 predictions!
Best NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2024-25 Sleepers
Two players are emerging as solid DPOY sleeper picks for your NBA betting card. They happen to play on the same team, and if it wasn’t for Gilgeous-Alexander in the MVP race, we could have made it three Oklahoma City Thunder players!
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Predictions and Betting Pick
The way I see it, Daniels should have a shorter price and closer to Mobley and Jackson Jr. If I had a vote, I’d have to seriously consider voting for Daniels. That being said, I know that voters favor winning teams.
Wembanyama would have been the exception because his defensive numbers and production were way ahead of the competition. In the case of Daniels vs. Mobley and Jackson Jr., they are too close, so the nod goes to the stronger overall squads.
This is a toss-up between Mobley and Jackson Jr. However, Mobley is more likely to have the flashier and more impressive defensive work in the second half. He will continue to rack up the big blocks at the rim. Most importantly, the Cavalier is going to do it while avoiding fouling as often as “JJJ”.
Additionally, you have to consider going with the better value bet at plus odds. In a tight race, laying -125 odds isn’t the best deal. Mobley at +110 is the best option for your NBA 2024-25 DPOY picks!
Where to Bet on the NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2024-25?
Bet on NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds for the 2024-25 season at Bovada! Place your wager to win the award at a trusted and well-reviewed online bookie.
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