Victor Wembanyama is going to win his first Defensive Player of the Year this season, and he gave a nod to who he thinks should come in second.
On Friday, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks, 139-120. Victor Wembanyama finished with 40 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, a steal, and two blocks.
It was also his 65th game of the season, officially making him eligible for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and All-NBA nods. He's been very forthcoming about the fact that he thinks he deserves all three, but he is hands-down the biggest frontrunner for DPOTY.
In fact, there are only two questions surrounding his candidacy: who will come in second, and will he be the first unanimous selection in league history?
Wemby Makes Second-Place Prediction
With his 65th game played, Wembanyama's odds to win DPOTY are sitting at -20000, which means you could bet $100 and win 50 cents.
The only other player with listed odds on FanDuel is Chet Holmgren, and if he somehow won and you had $100 riding on it, you'd win a cool $7,500. Not a safe bet!
By and large, Holmgren and Scottie Barnes are the other two locks for the All-Defensive First Team, and Wembanyama was asked if he thinks a voiter will hold out, or if he will take home the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy by unanimous decision.
"Yes, I would," he said, cementing himself as one of the most dominant players in the game. "Who are the other frontrunners?"
The media scrum mentioned both Barnes and Holmgren, but Wembanyama was dismissive, giving his pick.
"Steph Castle," he said. "I believe it. No, I've seen it happen."
Castle has an All-NBA case, and should be in the running for All-Defensive, as well. He and Wembanyama are one of the best defensive duos in the league, and Wemby is ready to declare his teammate as the second-best defender in the entire league.
Of course, Wembanyama's rivalry with Holmgren and the OKC Thunder makes him reluctant to give either player or franchise any credit. In Defensive Player of the Year voting, big men and wings get more love than guards, but Castle's versatility should give him a boost.