NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 5 ft. Tari Eason

As another week of NBA action wraps up, numerous players continue performing well to start the 2024-25 campaign. On the defensive end of the floor, countless guys are building an early case to be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.

For most of the award's history, DPOY has gone to big men. That said, this season could be an outlier year. With the game being so perimeter-oriented now, guards and wings who can defend are more valuable than ever.

As we kick off the second month of the season, here is an updated look at the power rankings for Defensive Player of the Year.

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NBA DPOY ladder after Week 5 (2024-25 season):

5) Tari Eason, Houston Rockets

Kicking off this list is a new player, Tari Eason of the Houston Rockets. Despite only playing around 22 minutes a night off the bench, the third-year wing has become one of the NBA's most impactful defenders.

Right now, Eason is tied for second in steals per game at 2.2. He's picked up at least two steals in four of his last five games, including a six-steal performance against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

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4) Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers

Coming out of college, Donovan Clingan showed the potential to be a force on the defensive end. Now getting a chance to play extended minutes at the NBA level, he's quickly developing into an anchor for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Clingan is third in blocks per game, averaging 2.2. Along with being an elite shot-blocker, the No. 7 pick of the 2024 NBA draft has also been rebounding at a high level. In his last outing against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, Clingan came down with a career-high 19 boards.

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3) Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Following a slow start to the season, Jaren Jackson Jr. has returned to form for the Memphis Grizzles. He once again looks like the versatile big man who took home the 2022-23 DPOY.

Not only is JJJ averaging a career-high 1.3 spg, but his shot-blocking has been nothing short of impressive. He's picked up at least two in his last five outings, including blocking five shots against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.

Even with a slow start out of the gates, Jackson Jr. seems poised to be in the mix for another DPOY campaign this season.

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2) Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

Regarding perimeter defense, Dyson Daniels has arguably been the best in the NBA. While his hot streak has cooled down some, he's still putting up big numbers for the Atlanta Hawks.

Dyson leads the league in steals (48) and steals per game (3.2). He's also put together some strong shot-blocking performances, recently picking up four blocks against the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 18.

It's still early, but if Daniels keeps this up, he could join the rare group of guards and forwards to take home this award.

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1) Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Once again coming in at the top spot is the best defensive prospect the NBA has seen in some time, Victor Wembanyama. The San Antonio Spurs big man remains the frontrunner to secure DPOY this season.

Wembanyama is leading the league in blocks (51), averaging 3.6 bpg. He had one of his best defensive showings of the season on Nov. 9, picking up 16 rebounds and seven blocks against the Utah Jazz.

With his stellar shot-blocking numbers, this award is essentially Wembanyama's to lose.