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Reading: Draymond Green Admits 2025 Is His ‘Last Best Chance’ To Win Defensive Player Of The Year Award
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Golden State Warriors News & Analysis > Draymond Green Admits 2025 Is His ‘Last Best Chance’ To Win Defensive Player Of The Year Award

Draymond Green Admits 2025 Is His ‘Last Best Chance’ To Win Defensive Player Of The Year Award

Draymond Green is pushing to win the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award because he knows it's his last shot at being a contender.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Apr 4, 2025
4 Min Read
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Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Golden State Warriors revolutionized the NBA over the last decade with a game-changing offensive strategy. However, the team has been one of the best defenses over this stretch despite not employing any star center. This is because longtime power forward Draymond Green has served as the team’s defensive engine for years and was rewarded as Defensive Player of the Year in 2017.

Green hasn’t won the award again, despite having comparable defensive seasons in the years since. With Victor Wembanyama not being eligible for the award this season, Draymond frankly told ESPN that he views this season as his last chance to win Defensive Player of the Year.

“I spoke about it earlier in the year. I spoke about it last year, about Wemby and Chet. They are. The young guys are great, and what they’re doing is amazing. I do think this is one of the last best chances I have. I think I have put together a good case, and I have six or seven games to continue building that case. Whatever happens, I think I should win it. I wish luck to all the guys in the running because it’s an incredible thing.”

Draymond Green says this may be his "last best chance" to win another Defensive Player of the Year Award 😮 pic.twitter.com/JR3W5NnHp0

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 3, 2025

The Warriors are having a strong defensive season, especially since the team added Jimmy Butler III in February. The Warriors have had a defensive rating of 110.0 since Butler’s debut, which would be the third-best in the league for this stretch. They have been a strong defensive team all season, but Butler’s addition has made them undeniable on that end.

None of it is possible without Green being a literal extension of the coaching staff on defense on the court. He might as well be their defensive coordinator with the way he ensures his teammates are in the right positions for defensive possessions while having the motor to cover off multiple opponents and being able to guard 1 through five if he has to contend with switches.

Draymond is averaging 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1,0 blocks per game this season. Unfortunately for Green, there are some really solid contenders he’ll have to beat for a crack at the award. 

The leading contender seems to be Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who has led the team to being one of the best defenses in the NBA while performing a similar role to Green. Mobley is averaging 9.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks this season.

While he isn’t as comfortable matching up with a guard as Green, he’s far more effective at deterring rim attempts alongside Jarrett Allen. Mobley has led the Cavs to a better defensive rating and record than the Warriors.

Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies is the last major contender, averaging 5.7 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.

Dyson Daniels won’t win the award because the Atlanta Hawks are finishing the season under .500, but his 3.1 steals per game this season is remarkable and likely guarantees him a spot on All-Defense First Team.

It’ll be an interesting award race. If Green puts in marquee performances to end the season, it’s not wild to see him win the award once again, likely for the final time.

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ByIshaan Bhattacharya
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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