NBA Defensive Player of the Year 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings to Glance at Victor Wembanyama's Closest Competition (Oct. 31, 2025)

The 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year race started almost like it did last season. Victor Wembanyama is back on top with an even more dominating and game-changing impact on this side of the ball. If he stays healthy, which did not happen during the 2024-25 campaign, the next six months could be a likely march to a DPOY trophy.

While Wemby comfortably sits at the top, the battle for second place is both exciting and intriguing. Evan Mobley, the reigning DPOY, and a few others are in a slugfest to prevent what might be an inevitable result.

Here is how the best defensive stars stacked in the Sportskeeda’s first NBA Defensive Player of the Year rankings this season.

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2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Power Rankings after Week 1

#5. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

GP5 | RPG 9.0 | SPG 0.5 | BPG 0.0

Bam Adebayo’s numbers don’t jump out of the stats. In fact, his contributions seem underwhelming for a player of his reputation. The advanced team stats, though, prove just how invaluable a defender the three-time All-Star has been for the Miami Heat.

When the five-time All-NBA Defensive Team member plays, the Heat own a 100.3 defensive rating, second-best in the league. When he sits on the bench, the figure spikes to a staggering 116.0. Adebayo can toggle on to perimeter plays and jostle with big men in the paint. He deserves the No. 5 spot in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year race.

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#4 Cason Wallace, OKC Thunder

GP5 | RPG 4.0 | SPG 2.3 | BPG 0.3

Jalen Williams’ injury forced OKC Thunder coach Mark Daigneault to insert Cason Wallace in the starting five. Alex Caruso’s concussion has also made Wallace even more valuable on defense.

The 6-foot-4 guard is third in the league with 2.3 steals per game. Lu Dort often gets credit for the Thunder’s suffocating perimeter defense, but Wallace has arguably been more impactful.

Cason Wallace’s 103 defensive rating is tied with Caruso for second-best on the team. Whether he comes off the bench or starts, he is likely to be a fixture in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year weekly rankings.

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#3 Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

GP5 | RPG 9.2 | SPG 1.6 | BPG 2.0

The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year is arguably the best defensive player in the Eastern Conference. Mobley stands out whether he is in the paint or around the perimeter. The 6-foot-11 forward’s length is both a deterrent at the rim and in the passing lanes.

Mobley averages 2.0 swats per game, but his impact is more than that. He regularly changes shots around the rim. The Cavaliers' defensive lynchpin isn’t giving up the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award without a fight.

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#2 Chet Holmgren, OKC Thunder

GP 4 | RPG 10.3 | SPG 1.3 | BPG 1.3

Chet Holmgren anchors the best defense in the NBA. He is second on the OKC Thunder in rebounds and blocks. Holmgren is also fourth in steals on a team with defensive ballhawks in the perimeter.

The Thunder are allowing just 40.7 points in the paint, third-best in the NBA with Holmgren patrolling the paint. Sometimes, opponents don’t even want to attempt a shot with him in the vicinity, the biggest reason he is averaging 1.3 bpg.

Holmgren looms as the closest challenger to Victor Wembanyama for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year honor.

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#1 Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

GP 5 | RPG 13.8 | SPG 1.5 | BPG 4.8

If Victor Wembanyama remains healthy and plays the minimum game requirement, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy goes to him. Wemby is putting up video game numbers, both advanced and traditional, to back up his lofty status in the DPOY race.

Nobody in the league has a louder and more pronounced impact than the Frenchman. Per NBA stats, San Antonio registers a mind-boggling 93.6 defensive rating with the 7-foot-5 center on the floor, easily the best in the league. When Wemby rests on the bench, the figure balloons to a ghastly 118.9.

Victor Wembanyama is averaging 4.8 bpg, a figure that doubles his closest pursuers. Nobody in the league has breached 3.0 bpg. Wemby has 24 blocks by himself, a tally that is better than 16 teams in the NBA.

The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award is his to lose.

Edited by Michael Macasero