This year, the 2024-25 Kia NBA All-Defensive Teams have been announced, highlighting some of the league’s most exceptional defensive talents. The All-Defensive First Team features Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, Golden State Warriors forward-center Draymond Green, Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley, and Houston Rockets guard-forward Amen Thompson. Notably, Daniels, Dort, and Thompson are recognized for the first time in this elite group, while Green continues to showcase his defensive prowess with his fifth First Team honor and ninth overall selection. Mobley, who claimed the title of Defensive Player of the Year for this season, receives his second First Team accolade, affirming his position among the league’s top defenders.
The All-Defensive Second Team comprises Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr., Oklahoma City guard-forward Jalen Williams, and LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac. Camara, Williams, and Zubac also earn spots on the All-Defensive Team for the first time, while Gobert continues to solidify his legacy with his eighth selection and Jackson rings in his third, both being recognized on the Second Team for the first time.
The selection process involved a global media panel of 100 voters, where players were awarded points based on their votes—two points for a First Team placement and one for a Second Team selection. The tabulation of votes was conducted by the independent accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP.
This acknowledgment of defensive excellence underscores the growing emphasis on defensive skills in the league, as teams increasingly recognize the value of strong defensive play in securing victories. With a mix of first-time honorees and seasoned defenders, the future of the NBA defensive landscape looks promising, suggesting exciting matchups and strategies in the upcoming season.