The Defensive Player of the Year award is a high honor that's been bestowed on the NBA's best defender since the 1982-83 season. Past winners include Michael Jordan and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who captured the DPOY in the same season they won MVP.
The reigning DPOY, Marcus Smart, is one of only two point guards to have ever won an award that is most typically handed out to forwards and centers. It should be no surprise that the top options to win in 2022-23 are big men.
Here are our top picks to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Top 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Picks to Make: Favorites
Gobert is a three-time winner of the award, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to win again in 2022-23. Last year, the big man averaged a career-high 14.7 rebounds, and he's swatted at least two shots per contest for eight straight seasons.