The NBA Defensive Player of the Year race may not be the most glamorous, but it’s still one of the most intriguing ones to keep tabs on throughout the season. It’s also been one of the toughest to predict in recent years.
The past four winners have all been unique, and the most recent two — Marcus Smart and Jaren Jackson Jr. — probably aren’t considered household names to most. It’s also not as easy to anticipate which teams will rank near the top of the league on defense compared to offense.
With that in mind, let’s search for value as we review the latest NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds for 2023-24.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds 2024
These NBA lines are current as of Thursday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m. ET and courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
- Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (+500)
- Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (+650)
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers (+1000)
- Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (+1000)
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat (+1000)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (+1000)
- Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz (+1500)
- Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks (+1500)
- Nicolas Claxton, Brooklyn Nets (+1500)
All other NBA DPOY candidates have odds of (+2000) or longer.
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Who Will Win NBA DPOY?
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (+650)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Mobley has quickly made his mark on the league and established himself as one of the game’s great young defenders. He finished third in NBA DPOY voting in 2022-23 after averaging 1.5 blocks per game and helping to guide the Cavaliers to the No. 1 defensive rating in the league.
What’s more, Mobley is hardly on the brink of his prime. The seven-foot forward will turn 23 next June, meaning he still has ample room to improve. At his current pace, though, he could take a significant leap forward in 2023-24.
He is capped a bit in counting stats due to the presence of Jarrett Allen, but Mobley’s defensive versatility and ability to defend multiple positions help set him apart from Allen.
I’m high enough on Mobley’s defensive potential to make this my NBA bet of the day.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Favorites
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (+500)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
If you aren’t in on Mobley, Jackson is the next best option to earn NBA DPOY honors in 2023-24. The 23-year-old won the award this past year, leading the league in blocks per game (3.0) and helping the Grizzlies earn the No. 2 defensive rating.
Jackson’s 2023-24 campaign could go one of two ways, and they both have to do with the presence of Marcus Smart, who was sent to Memphis via Boston in the Kristaps Porziņģis trade.
On the one hand, with Smart picking up some of the slack on the perimeter, Jackson may need to carry less heavy a load in the paint, which could bring his averages down. On the other, because Jackson won’t exert as much energy on defense overall, he could be even more effective as a rim protector.
I lean toward the latter and recommend a wager on Jackson at (+500).
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers (+1000)
Caesars Sportsbook
Davis likely would have been a strong contender to win NBA DPOY in 2022-23 had his Lakers been better on that end of the floor. Davis was spectacular individually, but Los Angeles ranked 11th in defensive rating and 20th in points allowed per game.
This isn’t always the case, but recently, this award has generally been given to the best defender on one of the league’s best defensive teams. Unless Davis has some monumental statistical season, it may be difficult for voters to overlook the team’s shortcomings.
Health is also a significant factor in award races, and Davis has appeared in just 96 regular-season games over the past two seasons. At (+1000), I’m sitting this one out for now.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Contenders
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat (+1000)
Caesars Sportsbook
Adebayo earned second-team All-Defensive honors for the fourth consecutive season in 2022-23, establishing himself as one of the game’s top defenders. The Heat also excelled on that side of the floor last year, ranking second in points allowed per game.
However, Adebayo will likely need to improve his counting stats to become a legitimate candidate for this award. Jackson leading the league in blocks was likely the most significant reason for his win last season, while Adebayo averaged 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.
- Find out where the Heat stand in the latest NBA Finals odds.
Adebayo does impact the game in many other ways on defense, and he’s arguably the most versatile defender in the league, given his ability to match up with almost any player. Unfortunately, that’s not always what it takes to get voters’ attention.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (+1000)
Caesars Sportsbook
Antetokounmpo always has a place in this race — and for good reason. The Greek Freak is one of the most fearsome and versatile defenders in the NBA today, and his Bucks are always a terror to play against, thanks in part to his presence on both ends of the floor.
With that said, Antetokounmpo hasn’t needed to carry such a heavy defensive load over the past few years due to the presence of Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez, and his averages have taken a slight hit as a result. His combined 1.6 steals and blocks in 2022-23 matched the lowest output since his rookie season.
This isn’t worth the (+1000) price tag.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Sleepers
Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz (+1500)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.25 Units
Kessler is one of the best shot-blocking prospects we’ve seen enter the NBA in recent years. As a 21-year-old rookie in 2022-23, he averaged 2.3 blocks (2.73 in 40 starts) and recorded five or more blocks 11 times.
Kessler played just 23 minutes per game in 2022-23, but that increased to 28.9 after the All-Star break, which supports the idea that he’ll see an expanded role in 2024. Considering he was 21 blocks shy of finishing with the most in the league this past year, it’s likely that he will set the record next season.
If nothing else, Kessler deserves to be higher on this list. At (+1500) odds, this is the best value bet you can make today.
Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets (+1500)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.25 Units
It may be in the Nets’ best interest to hang their hat on the defensive end of the floor, and it’s guys like Claxton and Mikal Bridges who allow them to do so. However, Claxton looks like the better bet to win Defensive Player of the Year between the two.
In his first full year as a starter, Claxton averaged 2.5 blocks per game — second only to Jaren Jackson Jr. — and totaled 189, matching Jackson’s exact output. He also played more after Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were traded, so there’s reason to believe his role could expand further in 2024.
At (+1500) odds, the value is there on Claxton. He also tied for ninth in last year’s Defensive Player of the Year race, so he’s on the radar among voters.
