NBA DPOY 2025-26 Betting Preview: Odds, Favorites, Predictions

Chet Holmgren (+150)

Holmgren has seized the opportunity in the wake of Wembanyama’s injury. He has established himself as the leading contender for DPOY after the Spurs’ center was a heavy favorite to win. Is he doing enough to warrant a bet at +150, though?

In the same draft class as Wembanyama, Holmgren was selected with the second overall pick behind the Frenchman. It was a smart pick by the Thunder, as Holmgren is an important member of the franchise now and will likely stay that way in the future.

CHET AT THE ABSOLUTE APEX.

He's got 13 and 3 blocks 🚫

OKC seeking 16 straight Ws and a trip to Vegas… watch here: https://t.co/hC2YRCu46J pic.twitter.com/UTXUjyEbAY

— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2025

He was an integral part of the Thunder’s NBA title run last season and still has a key role this season. While he might not do enough to attack the NBA Most Improved Player odds, he’s certainly in for the DPOY award.

Holmgren has the talent to shine on both sides of the court, but his effort has been particularly impressive defensively.

The 23-year-old Gonzaga alum’s impact goes beyond what shows up on the stat sheet. He is a terrific off-the-ball defender and doesn’t allow players to get comfortable offensively due to his length. Holmgren is also athletic enough to defend beyond the perimeter. He also has the numbers to back up his hustle.

In 2024-25, Holmgren recorded an average of 2.3 blocks and 0.7 steals per game. He was also effective on the boards with 6.5 defensive rebounds per contest last season. Holmgren is off to a strong start in 2025-26, with an average of 8.1 boards per game, 1.5 blocks, and 0.7 steals.

As I mentioned to start the season, Holmgren was the obvious choice to win DPOY if Wembanyama suffered a long-term injury. The preseason favorite has been on the sidelines for roughly a month, so is that enough time and will the “Alien” remain healthy now? That’s the questions we must answer.

Victor Wembanyama (+300)

The NBA DPOY odds have flipped on Wembanyama from -300 to +300. Before the injury, he was heavily favored to win his first Defensive Player of the Year award. In 2024-25, he was even more of a betting favorite, as Wembanyama had a monster price of -2500 in early February.

The biggest takeaway from this is not to lay such massive odds, especially on future bets on awards that can end instantly. When it comes to this year’s defensive honors, I think it’s going to come down to the French star’s health. Funny enough, that might be a key factor in the NBA MVP odds as well!

If the 7’3” phenom stays on the floor and doesn’t have a recurring issue with DVT, then it’s highly likely Wembanyama will collect the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy. He’s a gigantic shout ahead of the competition, so it would only make sense.

The reality is that Wembanyama is dealing with more injuries this season, though. “Wemby” is the best defender in the NBA, and possibly all-around player, but it doesn’t matter if he can’t stay on the court. The latest injury has the 21-year-old Frenchman dealing with a calf issue, suffered against the Golden State Warriors on November 14.

There is no denying, though, when he’s on the floor, Wembanyama passes the eye-test for Defensive Player of the Year.

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA IS UNREAL

WHAT IS THIS?!? 🔥🔥🔥🔥

pic.twitter.com/FrkOxqPRwe

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 26, 2025

Before his season ended, Wembanyama was averaging 8.4 defensive rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. He also recorded 1.2 steals per game, demonstrating his all-around defensive prowess. In the 2025-26 season, through 12 games, the French phenom has looked even more dominant.

Wembanyama has posted outstanding numbers: 3.6 blocks, 1.1 steals, and 10.9 defensive rebounds per game. At times, he makes it look as if a created player in a video game is playing against 5’5” opponents. The ease and effortlessness with which he defends is perhaps the most impressive aspect of his game.

Even before arriving in the NBA, Wembanyama’s immense defensive talent was discussed often. Above his offensive skills, he was viewed as a monster on the defensive floor. Due to his height and insane wingspan, he makes it look too easy at times.

As I mentioned earlier, the only thing that could slow down Wembanyama was an injury, and unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to avoid it. However, he’s now close to returning to the starting lineup and could be active for the Spurs in the NBA Cup.

If he can stay healthy for the rest of the year, I see him as a top contender for DPOY, though that’s still a big ‘if.’

Auser Thompson (+2800)

The Detroit Pistons have been the biggest surprise in the NBA this season. They are first in the Eastern Conference with a record of 19-5. There are many reasons why this has happened, but Ausar Thompson’s defense has been one that has largely gone unnoticed.

The fifth overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft can be inconsistent offensively. However, his defense is on full display in nearly every game for the Pistons. If you ask teams that have played the Pistons, they’ll likely reference Thompson’s lockdown defense.

Ausar Thompson has been ELITE defensively this season

The Pistons are 11-2

All-Defensive First Team loading? 👀🔒pic.twitter.com/UjH4UtM6hV

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 15, 2025

Thompson has notched 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. While he hasn’t put up staggering stats, his contributions go well beyond the numbers. He shuts down passing lanes and can provide significant help-side defense for the Pistons. His on-ball defense against any position on the floor is a plus, too.

It’s a big longshot at +2800, though Thompson is worth a small bet for your NBA Defensive Player of the Year picks.

Dyson Daniels (+2500)

The Atlanta Hawks’ Dyson Daniels is the most overlooked young player in the NBA. I don’t suggest looking past Daniels, who is a magician with his hands and forces teams to commit turnovers.

He led the NBA in steals with 229 a season ago, finishing with an impressive three steals per game, 1.2 better than Nikola Jokić in second! Getting lazy with the ball around Daniels typically meant it was heading in the other direction.

The 22-year-old eighth overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft has much more to offer as well. Daniels averaged 1.4 steals in 2023-24 with the New Orleans Pelicans before heading to Atlanta on a trade. He has flourished as a pesky guard with the Hawks, and I think Daniels will build on that season.

So far so good, as Daniels has collected 2.2 steals per game. He’s slightly off last year’s pace, but it’s a good bet to assume he’ll finish with roughly 2.5 by the end of the 2025-26 campaign. He’s developing into a much more well-rounded defender and does more than only swipe balls away from opponents.

At +2500 odds, Daniels carries plenty of value as one of the best Defensive Player of the Year 2025-26 picks.