NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) rankings 2024-25: Top 5 candidates after Week 6 ft. Jaren Jackson Jr.

As the NBA season rolls along, a familiar batch of faces remains in the conversation for the most impact defender. A lot of the same names remain at the top of the power rankings, but things are constantly shaking up at the bottom.

For the first time ever, the league handed out a Defensive Player of the Month award. It was given out last week to the top defender in each conference for the last week of October and November. In the West, Victor Wembanyama was awarded this inaugural honor. Meanwhile, Dyson Daniels took it home for the East.

These nominations were well deserved, as both players have played elite-level defense to open the season. As the action rolls along, here are some other players who have thrived on that end of the floor.

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NBA DPOY power rankings after Week 6: 2024-25 season

5) Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Kicking things off is a returning face, Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers. While many have focused on the offensive improvements of his game, he is still a versatile and impactful defender.

On the season, Mobley is averaging a career-high 1.1 steals along with 1.5 blocks per game. Playing next to a traditional center in Jarrett Allen allows him to roam more on defense, increasing his impact on that end for the Cavs. Over his last five games, Mobley has one three-steal outing and two games with at least three blocks under his belt.

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4) Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Next up is a player who has regularly appeared on the DPOY power rankings, Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies. When it comes to versatile defenders, he belongs in the conversation for best in the NBA.

JJJ continues to stuff the stat sheet on defense, racking up four blocks in each of his last two games. On one of those occasions, he also collected three steals.

As a former winner of the award, Jackson Jr. is a name surely to remain in the DPOY debate moving forward.

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3) Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

Following a down year last year, Walker Kessler has appeared to return to form for the Utah Jazz. He is back to looking like the high-level rim protector we saw in his rookie year.

Currently, Kessler is second in the NBA in blocks per game at just under three a night. He's picked up at least four blocks in three of his last five games, including five-block outings against the Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks.

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2) Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

Once again coming in at No. 2 is one of the NBA's first Defensvie Players of the Month. Dyson Daniels continues to hold on to the claim of most impactful perimeter defending, leading the league in steals per game (3.0).

Following a brief cooling-off period, Daniels has heated back up on the defensive end in regards to his numbers. He's secured at least three steals in four straight games, most recently picking up five steals and a block against the Denver Nuggets.

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1) Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Finishing off this week's least is the frontrunner for DPOY this season, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. The former No. 1 pick is still arguably the most impactful defender in the NBA this season.

Wembanyama is en route to win the blocks title for a second straight year, averaging 3.4 a game currently. Over his last five games, he's picked up three blocks in four of them and has five total steals in that same stretch.

Between the plays he breaks up and alters with his massive wingspan, DPOY remains Wembanyama's award to lose.