NBA Defensive Player of the Year Betting: Rudy Gobert Trending Toward a Fourth Award

Believe it or not, there is still a place for defense in the NBA.

As the current NBA campaign is nearing All-Star Weekend, it is certainly not too early to have a look at FanDuel Sportsbook's Defensive Player of the Year betting odds. On this first day of February, most sides have approximately 35 regular season contests left on the calendar.

Currently, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert appears to be headed toward his fourth DPOY award. The Frenchman shows as the market favorite, but there is still ample time for another player to overtake him.

Let us now have a look at the frontrunners at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the upcoming NBA DPOY Award.

All NBA odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Odds

Rudy Gobert, C, Timberwolves (-350)

Gobert will enter extremely rare territory if he manages to be named DPOY again. Genuinely, it really was not too long ago that "The Stifle Tower" cashed this market three times over a four-year span (from 2017-2021).

No NBA player has even won in this category five times. However, legendary shot-blockers Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace have each earned this accolade on four separate instances -- that is the distinguished company Gobert is looking to join at this season's end.

Having resurged his career in the Twin Cities, Gobert is currently averaging 2.1 blocks per game (BPG). Among those active, only three players have logged more career denials than "The French Rejection" -- Gobert shows nine separate seasons averaging better than 2.0 BPG.

In the rebounding department, the 7-foot-1 center has been spectacular. At the moment, Gobert has brought down an impressive 12.4 rebounds per game (RPG). On the offensive boards, the 31-year-old has produced 3.4 RPG.

With this being Gobert's 11th season in the NBA, opponents are still having to account for his incredible length in the paint. Of course, his efforts have some security, as Gobert has the luxury of playing alongside fellow seven-footer Karl-Anthony Towns. From there, Gobert's wingspan measures at 7-foot-9 -- that is certainly staggering.

OG Anunoby, F, Knicks (+800)

One of Great Britain's top basketball products, OG Anunoby has been a fine two-way player in this league for some time now. Originally a first-round selection of the Toronto Raptors (2017), Anunoby has settled into his new Big Apple surroundings quite cohesively -- the New York Knicks are happy to have him.

Since OG was traded to the Knickerbockers on the eve of New Year's Eve (Dec. 30), New York has sizzled to a 14-2 record. Anunoby has personally picked up his play, as well, averaging 15.6 PPG, 1.1 BPG and 1.5 steals per game (SPG). All of those figures are improved from his time in Toronto.

For the squad from Madison Square Garden, Anunoby has been the quintessential shot in the arm. Anunoby's offensive and defensive skill set affords the Knicks fabulous flexibility. Standing at 6-foot-7, 230-plus pounds, the Indiana alum has the frame and athleticism to match up with most premier NBA scorers.

At FanDuel Sportsbook, Anunoby shows as the second-favorite in this market. Currently, he is listed with 8-to-1 odds, which is quite a lofty return for someone in the second position of the DPOY market. Still, that reflects the market's confidence in the aforementioned Gobert.

Chet Holmgren, C, Thunder (+1400)

Embarking on his rookie season one year delayed, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren has returned to the league with a vengeance.

Holmgren did not play in 2022-23 after suffering a Lisfranc injury a year ago. Fast-forward to now, and the young man from Gonzaga looks about right. Towering at 7-foot-1, Holmgren is one of the most unique talents in the league.

Most importantly, Holmgren has done well to start all 48 games for OKC in 2023-24. In that span, he has proven himself to be a rangy scorer as well as a fierce rim protector. The rook has averaged 16.7 PPG while also notching 2.6 BPG -- that latter figure is currently fourth-best in the NBA.

In Holmgren's second career game, he managed to swat seven shot attempts from the opposing Cleveland Cavaliers. Less than two months later (Dec. 16), he reached his career-high of eight blocks in a single contest.

Despite his gangly frame (weighing less than 200 pounds), Holmgren plays with edge. When working on the block, he does not shy away from contact, which is what you'd hope to see from a young player coming off a season-ending injury.

Holmgren does leave something to be desired in the rebounding department considering that he's a seven-footer. To this point, he has collected a respectable 7.6 RPG. However, I imagine that clip only goes up throughout his NBA career.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.