SAN ANTONIO — Las Vegas oddsmakers are busy with 2023-24 NBA prop futures, and with the season winding down, San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama is becoming a strong candidate to win the 2023-24 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
According to Vegas oddsmakers Draft Kings, the Spurs' rookie big man's odds of winning the award are currently at +2000. That is good for third behind Rudy Gobert (-800) and Jarrett Allen (+1300).
Wemby is undoubtedly a viable candidate for the award.
He currently owns a Defensive Rating of 107.8, 10.2 rebounds per game, 1.3 steals per game, 3.3 blocks per game (league leader), 3.0 deflections (best among NBA centers), and 6.8 2-point shot deflections per game.
He also recently recorded five blocks in three straight games and has recorded 10-plus rebounds in four consecutive games and counting.
It would be a tremendous accomplishment for Wemby should he win it. Considering the competition for the award, it will be a challenge for him to win it.
Also, team-wise, the Spurs are among the worst defensive teams, ranking No. 24 in Defensive Rating at 117.5.
But it should not be a surprise if Wemby walks away with the hardware this season or beyond. At the rate he is progressing on the defensive end of the court, it will be shocking if he isn't named the league's best defender at some point in his NBA career.
What do you think, Spurs fans? Let us know on X at @KENS5, and @JeffGSpursZone.