Draymond Green Deserves to Win Defensive Player of the Year
Golden State Warriors four-time All-Star Draymond Green has had a remarkable campaign for the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award. As the season enters its final stretch, voters face a tough decision among several strong candidates. While Evan Mobley, Luguentz Dort, and Dyson Daniels, who have since fallen out of the top three race, are all in the conversation, Green’s defensive impact stands out. Ultimately, Draymond Green should be awarded the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year.
Draymond Green is the heart and soul of the Golden State Warriors. His defensive impact is unmatched among this year's candidates. The Warriors are currently a top-10 defense in the NBA with Green anchoring the team. Without him, however, they plummet to a bottom-20 defense—an alarming drop that no other player in the DPOY conversation can claim. Without Luguentz Dort, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain a top-tier defense, and the Cleveland Cavaliers see only a slight decline in their defense without Evan Mobley. While Luguentz Dort is the best defender on the best defense in the NBA, without Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors are one of the worst defenses. No other player, not even Dort or Mobley, exerts the same level of defensive influence on his team. This defensive impact has to be accounted for when voters make their decision.
Beyond the numbers, Green’s individual performances have been spectacular. He was named Defensive Player of the Month for March, and one of his most impressive outings came on March 18th against the Milwaukee Bucks. In that game, Giannis Antetokounmpo shot 0-7 from the field when guarded by Green. Green's versatility is key to his success—few defenders can guard all five positions as he does, especially considering his role as an undersized big man. His ability to seamlessly switch between guarding towering seven-footers and nimble six-foot-six guards is a rare skill, one that sets him apart from other defenders.
Draymond is familiar with the award as he has won it before in 2017, but this one would be special. At 35 years old, he would become the oldest player to ever earn the award. While all the candidates for DPOY are deserving of recognition, Draymond Green’s all-around defensive brilliance and game-changing impact put him in a league of his own. Voters will have a tough decision ahead, but Green's case for Defensive Player of the Year is compelling and deserving of consideration.
