Taking a look at who the best defender on every NBA team is.
Defense wins championships. This is a phrase even casual NBA fans have heard of. The best teams in the NBA usually have at least one elite defender who can change a game by playing tenacious defense.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart have won the last two Defensive Player of the Year Awards. Star defenders such as Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Bam Adebayo have surprisingly never won a Defensive Player of the Year Award, but the upcoming season offers the three All-Stars another chance.
With the 2023-24 season set to start soon, we decided to pick the best defender from each team.
Atlanta Hawks – Dejounte Murray
Dejounte Murray
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Dejounte Murray is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. He made the 2017-18 All-Defensive Second Team and led the NBA in steals per game in 2021-22.
In his first season with the Atlanta Hawks, Murray averaged 1.5 steals. He was 11th in the NBA in steals per game. The All-Star recorded 112 total steals, which was tied for sixth in the league.
Murray appeared in 74 games last season. He averaged 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.5 steals. The Hawks signed the Washington product to a four-year, $114 million extension this offseason.
Boston Celtics – Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday
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The Boston Celtics acquired Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers, who traded Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks for Holiday. Boston traded Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason, so the franchise is lucky to have landed Holiday.
The 33-year-old Holiday has made five All-Defensive teams during his career. Last season with the Bucks, Holiday averaged 1.2 steals and recorded 79 steals in 67 games.
An NBA champion, Holiday finished the 2022-23 season with averages of 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.2 steals.
Brooklyn Nets – Nic Claxton
Nic Claxton
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Nic Claxton was tied for second in the NBA last season in blocks with 189 blocks. He was also second in the league in blocks per game (2.5).
Claxton believes he should have made one of the two All-Defensive teams last season. He was angry about the snub.
“It makes my blood boil,” Claxton told reporters this week. “When KD and Kyrie left it’s like my name just fell off the map in a sense. I was robbed of a Defensive Team appearance. My numbers were amazing, I passed every eye test.”
Claxton finished last season averaging 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.5 blocks in 76 games.
Charlotte Hornets – Mark Williams
Mark Williams
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Mark Williams averaged 1.0 blocks and 0.7 steals last season. He led the Charlotte Hornets in defensive rating (110.0).
Williams recorded 45 blocks and 28 steals in 43 games last season. He finished the campaign with averages of 9.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 1.0 blocks. He is primed to have a strong second season in the NBA.
Chicago Bulls – Alex Caruso
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Alex Caruso made the All-Defensive First Team last season. He averaged 1.5 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 3.4 deflections in 23.5 minutes over 67 games. The former Los Angeles Lakers star ranked first in the NBA in steals per 100 possessions and first in deflections per 36 minutes.
Caruso was also tied for ninth in steals per game (1.5) and 14th in total steals (98). The NBA champion was one of five players in the NBA to finish the regular season with at least 95 steals and 45 blocks.
Caruso averaged 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals last season. He’s one of the top defenders in the NBA.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Evan Mobley
Evan Mobley
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Evan Mobley made the All-Defensive First Team last season. He ranked first in the NBA in defensive win shares (4.8). The big man was also tied for first in contested three-pointers per game (3.6) and fourth in the NBA in total contested shots per game (11.4).
Mobley averaged 1.5 blocks, which was tied for ninth in the NBA. His 119 total blocks were the sixth-most in the NBA.
The 22-year-old Mobley averaged 16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks last season. He has All-Star potential.
Dallas Mavericks – Grant Williams
Grant Williams
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The Dallas Mavericks acquired Grant Williams from the Celtics this offseason in a sign-and-trade deal. Williams averaged 0.5 steals and 0.4 blocks last season in Boston.
The 24-year-old Williams can guard positions one through four. The Mavericks needed more win-now players around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and Williams fits that bill. The Celtics went 181-107 with Williams in the lineup.
Williams averaged 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season. He’s expected to start with the Mavericks.
Denver Nuggets – Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon
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Aaron Gordon averaged 0.8 blocks and 0.8 steals for the world champion Denver Nuggets last season. He played tough defense on Karl-Anthony Towns, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Jimmy Butler in the 2023 playoffs and many pundits believe Gordon has a chance to make an All-Defensive team in 2023-24.
Gordon averaged 16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 0.8 blocks last season in 68 games. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are the two best players on the Nuggets. However, Gordon does all the dirty work by getting contested rebounds and guarding the opposing team’s best offensive player.
Detroit Pistons – Jalen Duren 
Jalen Duren
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Jalen Duren led the Detroit Pistons in blocks last season with 59 in 67 games. He also led the team in blocks per game (0.9).
The 19-year-old Duren averaged 9.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks during his rookie season. He is projected to have even better stats this season since he will be a second-year player with more knowledge and confidence.
Golden State Warriors – Draymond Green
Draymond Green
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Draymond Green made the All-Defensive Second Team last season. The Golden State Warriors legend has made eight All-Defensive teams during his incredible career.
Green averaged 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks last season. He is one of the few players in the NBA who can guard all five positions on the court.
A four-time champion, Green averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks last season. After losing in the second round of the 2023 playoffs to the Los Angeles Lakers, Green, and the Warriors will likely be motivated to win a fifth title.
Houston Rockets – Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks
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Dillon Brooks made the All-Defensive Second Team last season with the Memphis Grizzlies. The forward averaged 0.9 steals and 0.2 blocks in 73 games.
Brooks averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season for the Grizzlies while shooting 39.6% from the field, 32.6% from beyond the arc, and 77.9% from the free-throw line. Memphis won 51 games in the regular season and was the second seed in the Western Conference.
However, the Grizzlies lost to the Lakers in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs in six games and Brooks didn’t play well. The 27-year-old averaged just 10.5 points while shooting 31.2% from the floor and 23.8% from 3 against the Lakers.
Brooks called himself the best defender in the world this summer during the FIBA World Cup. It will be fascinating to see how he plays with the Houston Rockets.
Indiana Pacers – Myles Turner
Myles Turner
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Myles Turner is an outstanding rebounder and defender. He’s led the NBA in blocks per game twice and can stretch the floor with his improved shooting.
Turner put up 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in 2022-23 for the Indiana Pacers while shooting 54.8% from the field, 37.3% from beyond the arc and 78.3% from the free-throw line.
If guards can get past the Pacers’ perimeter defenders, Turner will be at the rim to protect his basket. He blocked 140 shots last season.
Los Angeles Clippers – Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard
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Kawhi Leonard has won two Defensive Player of the Year Awards in his career. He has also made seven All-Defensive teams. When he’s healthy and playing, Leonard is one of the most disruptive defenders in the NBA.
A future Hall of Famer, Leonard averaged 1.4 steals last season in 52 games. He recorded 72 steals and 28 blocks.
Leonard is healthy again after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason. He averaged 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists last season while shooting 51.2% from the field, 41.6% from beyond the arc, and 87.1% from the free-throw line.
Los Angeles Lakers – Anthony Davis
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Anthony Davis has career averages of 24.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks with the New Orleans Pelicans and Lakers. He has led the league in blocks per game three times and has made four All-Defensive Teams.
Davis is one of the best players in the NBA. The only thing preventing him from competing for the MVP Award is his body, as Davis hasn’t been able to stay healthy since helping the Lakers win the 2020 championship. The eight-time All-Star has suffered multiple lower-body injuries.
Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.0 blocks last season in 56 games. The Chicago native finished the 2023 playoffs averaging 22.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.1 blocks in 16 games versus the Grizzlies, Warriors, and Nuggets.
Memphis Grizzlies – Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
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The Grizzlies have the last two Defensive Player of the Year winners: Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart. Both players are elite defenders, so it’s difficult to pick who Memphis’ best defender is.
We’re going to go with Jackson Jr., though, since he’s a better shot-blocker than Smart. JJJ led the NBA in blocks per game last season (3.0). He also led the league in blocks per game the previous season.
Jackson Jr. recorded 189 blocks last season in 63 games. It’s almost impossible to score against him in the paint. The Grizzlies star finished the 2022-23 season with averages of 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 3.0 blocks.
Miami Heat – Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo
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Bam Adebayo made the All-Defensive Second Team last season. He has now made four All-Defensive teams in his career.
A two-time All-Star, Adebayo averaged 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks last season. The Heat star has big goals for this season, as he wants to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Adebayo averaged 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Heat last season. The big man shot 54.0% from the field and 80.6% from the free-throw line. He’s one of the best two-way players in the NBA.
Milwaukee Bucks – Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Giannis Antetokounmpo has made five All-Defensive teams during his legendary career. He won the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year Award, becoming just the third player in NBA history to win MVP and DPOY in the same season. Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon are the other two players to accomplish that feat.
Antetokounmpo averaged 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks last season. He blocked 51 shots and stole the ball 52 times in 63 games. Antetokounmpo can guard all five positions on the floor.
Antetokounmpo put up 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game last season. He’s one of the greatest all-around players in NBA history.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert
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Rudy Gobert has won three Defensive Player of the Year Awards and has made six All-Defensive teams. In his first season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Gobert averaged 0.8 steals and 1.4 blocks.
A three-time All-Star, Gobert blocked 95 shots last season in 70 games. He finished the campaign with averages of 13.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 65.9% from the field.
Gobert didn’t make an All-Defensive team last season. He will likely be motivated by that snub.
New Orleans Pelicans – Jose Alvarado
Jose Alvarado
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Jose Alvarado is a pest on defense. Don’t believe us? Just ask Chris Paul.
Alvarado averaged 1.1 steals last season in 61 games. He recorded 67 steals and 10 blocks. Alvarado gets a lot of steals by hiding on the baseline during inbounds passes and coming from behind to pick the pocket of point guards.
Alvarado averaged 9.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals last season. It will be interesting to see if the 25-year-old can steal the ball over 100 times this season.
New York Knicks – Mitchell Robinson
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The New York Knicks signed Mitchell Robinson to a four-year, $60 million contract last offseason. The Florida native averaged 7.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 2022-23 while shooting 67.1% from the field. Robinson was sixth in the NBA in blocks per game and ninth in blocks (109).
In the first round of the 2023 playoffs, the Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. Robinson averaged 8.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in the five-game series, outplaying Cavaliers stars Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
The Knicks have signaled to other teams that if the right star becomes available, they will be aggressive in pursuing him. However, the franchise has been protective of Robinson in trade talks, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. Robinson isn’t untouchable, but the Knicks would prefer to keep the big man.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Luguentz Dort
Luguentz Dort
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Luguentz Dort appeared in 74 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season. He averaged 13.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 38.8% from the field, 33.0% from beyond the arc, and 77.2% from the free-throw line.
Dort is one of the top perimeter defenders in the NBA. He could make an All-Defensive team next season since the Thunder are back on the NBA map for the first time since trading Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets in the summer of 2019. Dort averaged 1.0 steals last season. He recorded 75 steals.
Orlando Magic – Wendell Carter Jr.
Wendell Carter Jr.
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Wendell Carter Jr. averaged 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Orlando Magic last season. He recorded 33 blocks in 57 games.
Carter Jr. averaged a career-high 15.2 points last season to go along with 8.7 rebounds. He likely won’t be an All-Star or All-NBA defender this season, but he’s certainly an above-average defender who is not afraid to challenge dunkers at the rim.
Philadelphia 76ers – Joel Embiid
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Joel Embiid has made three All-Defensive teams during his career. The reigning MVP averaged 1.0 steals and 1.7 blocks last season. He was seventh in blocks per game and eighth in blocks (112).
Embiid averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 66 games last season. He is one of the most feared centers in the league on offense and defense.
Phoenix Suns – Josh Okogie
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The Phoenix Suns don’t have any All-NBA defenders on the roster. Their team is headlined by three gifted scorers: Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
With that said, Josh Okogie is probably the Suns’ best defender. He averaged 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks last season. The former Minnesota Timberwolves swingman blocked 34 shots and recorded 56 steals in 72 games.
Okogie can guard guards and forwards. He is expected to start alongside Beal, Booker, Durant, and Jusuf Nurkic.
Portland Trail Blazers – Matisse Thybulle
Matisse Thybulle
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Matisse Thybulle has made two All-Defensive teams in his career. He re-signed with the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason in restricted free agency.
Thybulle averaged 1.7 steals for the Blazers last season in 22 games. The Sixers traded the guard to the Blazers, who loved Thybulle’s energy and effort on defense, which is why the front office matched the Dallas Mavericks’ offer sheet for Thybulle.
Now that Damian Lillard is gone, the Blazers may have to win games on the defensive end. Thybulle could be very valuable this season since he’s a strong defender.
Sacramento Kings – De’Aaron Fox
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De’Aaron Fox led the Sacramento Kings with 83 steals last season. His speed and size allow him to cause a lot of havoc on the defensive end when he’s engaged.
Fox averaged 1.1 steals last season in 73 games. He probably won’t make an All-Defensive team in 2023-24, but Fox certainly isn’t a defensive liability. He can stay in front of all of the elite guards in the league.
Fox averaged 25.0 points in 2022-23 while shooting shooting 51.2% from the field, 32.4% from beyond the arc, and 78.0% from the free-throw line.
San Antonio Spurs – Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama
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Victor Wembanyama wasn’t the first overall pick in the 2023 draft because he’s supposed to be a normal player. The San Antonio Spurs drafted him because he has superstar potential.
Wembanyama played two games against the Hornets and Blazers in the Summer League. He put up nine points, eight rebounds, three assists, and five blocks while shooting 2-for-13 from the field versus the Hornets but bounced back in a big way against the Blazers, finishing with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks on 9-of-14 shooting overall.
Wembanyama can block shots from all over the court due to his incredible wingspan. It will be intriguing to see how many shots the rookie blocks this season.
Toronto Raptors – OG Anunoby
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Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby made the All-Defensive Second Team last season. He led the NBA in steals (128) and steals per game (1.9).
Anunoby can guard positions one through four. The NBA champion averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists last season while shooting 47.6% from the field, 38.7% from beyond the arc and, 83.8% from the free-throw line. Toronto drafted Anunoby with the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Anunoby signed a four-year, $72 million rookie contract extension in December 2020. He is currently eligible to sign a four-year, $116 million extension with the Raptors. Anunoby has career NBA averages of 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Utah Jazz – Walker Kessler
Walker Kessler
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Walker Kessler had a terrific rookie season with the Jazz. He averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks while shooting 72.0% from the field. Kessler recorded 20 double-doubles in 74 games.
Kessler was fourth in the NBA in blocks (173) and fourth in blocks per game. The Jazz believe the 22-year-old has a chance to be an All-Star soon, which is why the franchise didn’t want to part ways with him to acquire Damian Lillard, who wouldn’t have even been happy in Utah.
Washington Wizards – Daniel Gafford
Daniel Gafford
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Daniel Gafford averaged 1.3 blocks for the Washington Wizards last season. He was 16th in the NBA in blocks per game and 13th in blocks (99).
The Wizards will need to rely on Gafford’s ability to block shots more than usual this season since the team may not score a lot of points. Bradley Beal was traded to the Suns and Kristaps Porzingis was sent to the Celtics. Washington will have to play high-level defense to win games this season and Gafford will have to be the head of the snake.
