NBA DPOTY Race: Latest DPOTY ladder and power rankings feat. Jaren Jackson Jr., Nic Claxton and more | Jan. 16, 2022-23 NBA Season

The 2022-2023 NBA DPOTY race is heating up following the ascension of Memphis Grizzlies power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. since his return from injury. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks still have two big men contending for the award.

On that note, here’s this month’s DPOTY ladder.

#5: Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star big man Jarrett Allen

Previous month’s DPOTY ranking: 3rd (↓2)

Games played: 37 Games won: 24 Games lost: 13

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star big man Jarrett Allen continues to be the defensive anchor for a Cleveland team that ranks second in team defensive rating (109.3). The Cavs’ defensive rating also improves to 108.1 with Allen on the court.

Allen is holding opposing players to just 44.7% shooting (-4.9%) and 57.3% shooting from within six feet of the rim (-8.0%). However, his relative lack of traditional defensive stats will likely hurt his chances of taking home the DPOTY award. Allen is averaging 9.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

#4: Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks veteran big man Brook Lopez

Previous month’s DPOTY ranking: 1st (↓3)

Games played: 42 Games won: 26 Games lost: 16

Milwaukee Bucks veteran big man Brook Lopez has dropped off slightly since last month’s DPOTY ladder. However, he remains an elite shot blocker and defensive anchor for a Bucks team that ranks third in team defensive rating (109.6). That number improves to 107.4 when Lopez is on the court.

Lopez is holding opponents to 48.5% shooting (-1.6%) and 55.4% shooting from within six feet of the rim (-9.2%).

Lopez also ranks second in the NBA in blocks per game among qualifiers at 2.5BPG, to go along with 6.5 rebounds per game and 0.5 steals per game.

#3: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets big man Nic Claxton

Previous month’s DPOTY ranking: N/A

Games played: 39 Games won: 24 Games lost: 15

Brooklyn Nets big man Nic Claxton has developed into one of the top rim protectors in the entire league this season. Claxton is holding opponents to just 50.2% shooting from within six feet of the rim (-13.2%) and 40.8% (-7.8%) shooting overall.

The 23-year-old’s development has been a big reason that Brooklyn now ranks ninth in team defensive rating (111.6), despite being an undersized team. Brooklyn’s defensive rating also improves to 109.9 when Claxton is on the floor.

As for his traditional defensive stats, Claxton has overtaken Brook Lopez as the NBA’s leader in blocks per game among qualifiers at 2.7BPG. This comes despite him being a slightly undersized center at 6-foot-11. However, his smaller size and quickness only adds to his defensive versatility and ability to guard out to the perimeter. Claxton is also averaging 8.5 rebounds and 0.7 steals per game.

All of this has made Nic Claxton a serious contender for the DPOTY award, despite previously being unranked.

#2: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo

Previous month’s DPOTY ranking: 2nd (-)

Games played: 35 Games won: 23 Games lost: 12

Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be one of the most dominant all-around defenders in the NBA. However, his rim protection has been particularly elite this season.

Antetokounmpo is holding opponents to 49.7% shooting (-15.4%) from within six feet of the rim and 42.3% shooting overall (-6.5%).

As previously mentioned, the Bucks are still third in team defensive rating (109.6). That number improves to 107.4 with Antetokounmpo on the court.

As for his traditional defensive stats, Antetokounmpo is averaging 11.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but all things considered, Antetokounmpo is still one of the favorites to win his second DPOTY award.

#1: Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies power forward Jaren Jackson Jr.

Previous month’s DPOTY ranking: N/A

Games played: 26 Games won: 19 Games lost: 7

Jaren Jackson Jr. has only played in 26 of the Grizzlies’ 42 games this season. However, he has made an enormous impact so far. Jackson has helped Memphis’ defense ascend to the top of the league (109.0 team defensive rating). That number improves to a team-best 102.6 with Jackson on the floor and drops to 110.5 with him on the bench.

Jackson is holding opponents to just 43.5% shooting (-5.0%) and 50.6% from within six feet of the rim (-12.2%). Meanwhile, he is on pace to lead the league in blocks per game at a whopping 3.2BPG. Jackson is also averaging 6.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.

So even with a relatively low number of games played, Jaren Jackson Jr. is shaping up to be the clear DPOTY frontrunner.