The NBA awards race has been shaken up massively after news broke that second-year phenom Victor Wembanyama would miss the rest of the season with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Wembanyama was on pace to become the first player since Dikembe Mutombo in 1996 to average at least 4 blocks per game and had all but won the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) before the heartbreaking injury. He will now fail to reach the 65-games played threshold, ruling him ineligible for this season's NBA awards.
So, the race for the Defensive Player of the Year has been flung wide open again and as it stands, there are three clear candidates for the trophy. So, who's in the best position to claim it? Let's discuss each player's case.
Jaren Jackson Jr - Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies two-time All-Star is back in the running for a second Defensive Player of the Year trophy in three seasons. Memphis are a top 10 defence in the league largely thanks to Jackson's paint presence and ability to contest shots at a high level around the basket. He's one of just ten players to average at least 1 block and 1 steal per game this season too, highlighting his ability to switch out onto the perimeter and put the clamps on. As the now odds-on favourite to win the award, continuing to show this versatility will be key for Jackson to win the award.
However, a factor that may hurt Jackson's chances for the award is he doesn't particularly stand out in any defensive statistical category. When watching Memphis' games, he's obviously their defensive anchor, but it doesn't always translate to the box score in a big way. He doesn't find himself amongst the leaders of many key defensive metrics, traditional or advanced, and while that's largely due to Memphis' excellent team defence that ensures they aren't over-relying on Jackson for stops, it does mean his prowess could be obscured and missed by voters.
Additionally, the other two players who are in deep consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year are also anchors for their own team's respective defensive system. When push comes to shove, Jackson's lack of statistical dominance may force him out of the conversation. Regardless, Jackson has a clear case to win this award, especially if the Grizzlies continue to rack up wins.
Evan Mobley - Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers star big man will be hunting his first individual NBA trophy after finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 and third in DPOY voting in his sophomore season. 2025 presents Mobley his best chance yet to capture the Defensive Player of the Year, posting career-highs with 1.7 blocks and 0.9 steals per game.
Mobley's presence at the rim has been enormous for the Cavaliers' blazing-hot start to the 2024-25 season, which has barely cooled down past the All-Star break. He's contesting over 10 shots per game, the majority of which are within five feet of the basket. Within that distance, Mobley is top-7 in the league for opponent field-goal percentage, demonstrating his mastery on the low block.
What strengthens Mobley's case the most, however, is just how successful Cleveland has been this season. The Cavs are first in the NBA with a record of 47-10, which has surprised everyone and it's something voters may wish to reward. Mobley is probably the Cavaliers' most impactful player, as he improves their net rating by a dramatic +7.5 when he's on the floor compared to when he's off it.
Similarly to Jackson Jr, Mobley's numbers are close to elite but nothing outrageous like Wembanyama's. However, Cleveland doesn't just own the 7th best team defence, they have also been winning at a franchise-record rate all season long. Pair those factors together with a brilliant highlights package and Mobley has the makings of a Defensive Player of the Year title written all over him.
Dyson Daniels - Atlanta Hawks
While the Defensive Player of the Year is typically a big man's award, there may not be a better case for a guard to win it than Dyson Daniels this season.
In case you've been living under a rock, we're currently witnessing a historical year from Daniels, producing defensive numbers not seen in decades. As a large yet mobile 6-foot-7 guard, Dyson's combination of physical tools, timing and basketball IQ have made him impossible to score on all season long.
His 156 steals lead the NBA by more than 50. His 311 deflections are almost 100 ahead of second place. In the last 10 seasons, no one has averaged more than 4.2 deflections per game (minimum 50 games played). Dyson is averaging 6.1. If the season were to end today, Dyson would be just the 8th player in NBA history to average 3 steals or more per game - and the first to do so since 1991. He's known as the Great Barrier Thief for a reason.
It can't be understated how unfathomable these numbers are, especially coming from a third-year player who played under 23 minutes per game last season. When he was traded to Atlanta in the off-season as a part of the return package for Dejounte Murray, the Hawks were viewed as consensus losers. However, in the months since, his value to Atlanta has become undeniable; the Hawks were bottom five in defensive rating last season, and now they are in the top half.
Dyson also ranks highly in other key defensive categories. He's third amongst guards for shots contested per game, highlighting his ability to take on the opposition's best. He's also fourth league-wide for loose balls recovered.
If the NBA is serious about this award, it'd be almost ludicrous to not give Daniels the trophy unanimously. The claims for Jackson Jr and Mobley certainly have their merits, as they are the stereotypical defensive seasons we are accustomed to seeing win this honour. What Daniels is doing is historical though, and the Hawks are in touching distance of the playoffs purely because of it.
Ultimately, all three players are great shouts for the Defensive Player of the Year. Jackson Jr and Mobley have the impact metrics in their favour and, perhaps most importantly, winning records. Daniels, on the other hand, is having a defensive season not seen in over 30 years. Only time will tell what the voters value.
