The NBA announced Thursday that Evan Mobley has been named the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year. This makes Mobley the first player from the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise to ever win this prestigious award. At just 23 years old, he is also the second-youngest recipient in NBA history, slightly trailing only Dwight Howard who won it in 2008. This recognition is hopefully the first of multiple achievements for the Cavaliers this spring season.
Mobley secured the award by receiving 35 first-place votes, which was ten more than the second-place finisher, Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors finished in third place in the voting. Other players who garnered first-place votes included Luguentz Dort from the Thunder, Amen Thompson from the Rockets, Ivica Zubac from the Clippers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks.
His path to winning, however, was far from predictable. For a significant portion of the season, Victor Wembanyama was considered the overwhelming favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. The reigning Rookie of the Year led the league in total blocks despite participating in only 46 games. However, his season was cut short by deep vein thrombosis, rendering him ineligible for postseason awards. This unexpected turn of events completely opened up the race for an award that many had previously considered a certainty for Wembanyama.
Two main contenders quickly emerged following Wembanyama`s ineligibility: Draymond Green and Evan Mobley. Mobley initially held the edge in betting odds, having been the runner-up in 2023 to Jaren Jackson Jr. He served as the defensive anchor for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who maintained the top seed in the Eastern Conference from start to finish. This consistent performance reflected Mobley`s high level of defensive play. Mobley is notably a rare big man possessing the versatility to both effectively protect the paint near the basket and capably switch onto smaller players on the perimeter, granting Cleveland significant tactical flexibility in their defensive strategies.
Green`s case for the award strengthened later in the season. Leading up to the trade deadline, the Warriors` defense was ranked 10th in the league, and the team held a sub-.500 record. However, Golden State saw a significant defensive improvement afterward. Since the deadline, the Warriors have boasted the best defense in the NBA and finished the season with a 23-9 record during that stretch. Green played primarily at center during this period, providing rim protection and orchestrating the team`s defense from the back line.
Ultimately, Mobley narrowly edged out Green to claim the award. Winning it now is particularly timely, considering the formidable defensive talent expected to emerge in the coming years. Victor Wembanyama is anticipated to return at full health next season. Highly touted prospect Cooper Flagg is also on the horizon, and several promising young players with All-Defense potential, such as Amen Thompson, his brother Ausar Thompson, and Dyson Daniels, are continuing to develop. This season provided Mobley with a prime opportunity to earn this richly deserved trophy, which he has now successfully done.
Jasper Hawthorne