NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds 2026-27: DPOY Favorites

Rudy Gobert and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the sleepers. Gobert remains the foundation of Minnesota’s defense according to coach Chris Finch, who said the whole scheme will still be built around him even with LaMelo Ball now running the point, and he’s a four-time DPOY whose rim-protecting impact rarely dips.

Giannis brings a different kind of disruption to Miami after averaging just 36 games last season through injury trouble in Milwaukee; he says he feels good health-wise and has already praised the Heat’s defensive speed and culture, and his length and versatility at the top of Miami’s scheme give him a real path to a first career DPOY if he stays on the floor. Both sit behind Wembanyama and Thompson in the market, but both have the individual pedigree to crash the race.