Victor Wembanyama is already running away with the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, just a few games into the 2026 season. The oddsboard at bet365 Sportsbook on October 28th has him as an overwhelming favorite at -400. That is absolutely wild. This dude is looking for back-to-back DPOY trophies, and honestly, who is going to stop him?
Wemby Is Just Different Out There
Last season, Wemby was an absolute force, averaging 3.1 blocks and 11.5 rebounds. Opponents found it way harder to score when he was on the court, with his team allowing 9.1 fewer points per 100 possessions than when he sat. Seriously, that’s a massive impact. This season? He’s somehow cranked it up another notch. He’s leading the entire NBA with 4.3 blocks per game, averaging over a block more than the next guy. How do you even compete with that? It’s like he’s playing a different game than everyone else.
The Challengers Are Trying, But It’s A Steep Climb
Sure, there are other incredible defenders in the league, but they’ve got some serious ground to make up. Chet Holmgren is his closest challenger at +1200, which tells you everything you need to know about the gap. Last season, Holmgren put up 1.9 blocks and 8.9 rebounds, and his team allowed 6.5 fewer points per 100 possessions with him out there. He even made first-team All-Defense! Through three games this season, he’s averaging 3.1 blocks, second-most in the league. He’s a beast, no doubt, but Wemby’s still a full block ahead.
Then you’ve got Thompson, who’s got the third-best odds at +2500. He averaged 2.0 steals and 0.9 blocks in just 26 minutes per game last season, making first-team All-Defense too. He’s a disruptor, someone who can mess up an offense even if he isn’t always the one swatting shots. He’s had at least one steal in all three of his games this season and a block in two of those three. That versatility is huge in a race often dominated by pure rim protectors.
Barnes’ Versatility and Gobert’s Uphill Battle
Scottie Barnes is another name in the mix, the quintessential do-it-all defending forward. He can guard pretty much anyone on the court, playing all five positions. He was second-team All-Defense last year, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks. We just saw him snag four steals in the Raptors’ loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday, and with Kawhi Leonard out for a few weeks, Barnes’ defensive responsibilities are probably only going to increase. That could be his pathway to getting more attention.
And what about Rudy Gobert? The four-time winner is trying to make history with a fifth DPOY award. Last season, he averaged 11.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, and his team allowed nine fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor. He’s made nine All-Defensive teams in his career, which is just insane consistency. But, his odds have actually *dropped* from +3000 to +4500 after he’s only recorded two blocks through four games this season. When you’re up against Wemby, you can’t afford a slow start.
So, while the field is packed with incredible talent, the oddsmakers clearly think it’s Wemby’s award to lose. Bet365 even has odds for Wembanyama to win at -400 versus the *entire rest of the NBA* at +275. That’s how much they believe in him. It’s going to be wild to see if anyone can even get close, but right now, Wemby is just on another level.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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