Warriors' Draymond Green Makes DPOY Case, Calls It His 'Last Best Chance' to Win Award

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green sees the 2024-25 season as one of the "best chances" he'll get to win a second Defensive Player of the Year Award.

"Give 'em young guys their credit, I think what they're doing is amazing. I think this is one of the last, best chances I'll have [to win DPOY]," Green told ESPN's Malika Andrews Thursday.

Green continued: "I think I've put together a good case. I got another six or seven games to continue to make that case. But whatever happens, I think I should win it."

After finishing two DPOY races as runner-up to Kawhi Leonard in 2015 and 2016, Green finally earned the award by leading the NBA with 2.0 steals per game during his 2016-17 campaign for the Warriors.

He is hoping to win again this spring after Victor Wembanyama, who finished his rookie campaign as Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, was sidelined for the remainder of his second NBA season with a blood clot condition in his right shoulder.

Green has averaged 1.5 steals, the most since he finished third in DPOY voting in 2021, while posting 1.0 blocks and 5.1 defensive rebounds per game in 61 appearances and 59 starts this season.

He was named the Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month after averaging 1.9 steals and 0.9 blocks to help the Warriors go 11-4 through 15 games in March.

The Warriors' resurgence has helped Green make his case to win the award over other candidates including Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, who has helped put the Cavs on track for the No. 1 seed in the East with the strongest season of his career.

Green could make his argument to beat out Mobley for the award more convincing he can help Golden State hang onto a top-six seed and stay out of the play-in round over the final seven games of the season. That starts with a Thursday night road game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.