Some people argue that Draymond Green is one of the best defenders of all time. He certainly is in the conversation. Despite being a runner-up three times, Green has only won the Defensive Player of the Year award once. This includes losing to Kawhi Leonard one season despite having more first-place votes. Green also has been named to the All-NBA defensive team eight times. After being an afterthought in the race earlier in the season, Draymond’s DPOY case is starting to build. According to Polymarket (the world’s largest prediction market), Green’s probability of winning another DPOY award has skyrocketed over the last few days. Green is now the DPOY favorite, Evan Mobley and Dyson Daniels sit behind him at two and three respectively.
Former DPOY Draymond Green Makes Insane Surge Toward Winning Award Again
A History of Greatness
Green should always be considered for the DPOY award. He consistently is one of the best defenders in the league and is able to guard every position on the court. He was the backbone of multiple championship teams who predicated their success on that end of the floor.
His coach Steve Kerr even proclaimed recently that he was the “best defender” he’s ever seen. Over the last few years, however, Green has seemingly fallen out of much of the DPOY conversation, largely due to his lack of elite counting stats as far as steals and blocks. That’s probably a big reason why Green has been voted second rather than first in multiple seasons.
Draymond’s DPOY Case
Up until about a week ago, it seemed like Green was destined for another incredible defensive season, without proper recognition. Less than a week ago Polymarket had Green with less than a 10% chance to win the award. Since then, the odds markets have completely flipped.
BREAKING: Draymond Green has surpassed Evan Mobley as the favorite to win DPOY pic.twitter.com/DAEKId3hK9
— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) March 23, 2025
Over Green’s last five games, he is averaging 2.6 steals and 2.2 blocks per game. On top of that the Warriors have been the best defense in the league since the All-Star break, going 13-3 during that stretch.
Green has also been using his voice to bring attention to his DPOY case. After a dominant performance against the Bucks last week he said about being considered for the award, “We keep winning and close this year strong, most definitely… I don’t see many players completely throwing off a team’s offense the way I do. I have a case and I’ll continue to build that case over the final 13 games.”
Draymond’s Defensive Player of the Year Odds
In addition to Draymond becoming the favorite on Polymarket, he is now the DPOY favorite on most sportsbooks, with -130 odds. It is no surprise that Green is being favored for the award, especially after Victor Wembanyama went down, but his complete ascension to favorite in less than a week is pretty spectacular.
In reality Green is right. If the Warriors keep winning, and their defense stays at the top of the league, he has to be considered for the award. He is definitely the best defender in the league when he wants to be. He probably should have at least one or two more of the awards in his closet at this point anyway. Expect Draymond’s DPOY case to build over the next few weeks.
Photo credit: © Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
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