When Victor Wembanyama went down with deep vein thrombosis, the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) race shifted. The San Antonio Spurs’ season ended with that diagnosis, but the DPOY field opened up. New names gained traction, and debates quickly followed. Jaren Jackson Jr., Luguentz Dort, Evan Mobley, and even Draymond Green each received strong media backing. In the end, the NBA officially awarded the trophy to Mobley. Yet, if coaches had their say, the result would have been different. A DPOY poll had Dyson Daniels as the surprising winner.
Dyson Daniels Was Heavily Favored In DPOY Poll Despite Shaky Case
Coaches Preferred Daniels in DPOY Poll
In a poll conducted by The Athletic’s Josh Robbins, 13 NBA coaches and assistants gave their pick for DPOY. The majority chose Daniels, the young Atlanta Hawks guard. While not the media’s choice, Daniels topped this specific DPOY poll thanks to his elite on-ball defense and league-leading steals numbers.
“Dyson Daniels has become one of the league’s elite perimeter defenders,” said one coach. “He’s doing things we haven’t seen in years.” Their praise wasn’t empty. Daniels led the entire NBA with 229 total steals and averaged 3.0 steals per game across 76 starts. These numbers helped build the case for Daniels in the DPOY poll, even if the Hawks struggled overall.
Media vs Coaches: A Divide in Perception
While the coaches’ poll put Daniels at the top, media voters went another route. They selected Mobley, the versatile Cleveland Cavaliers big man, as the 2024-25 DPOY. Mobley had a well-rounded year, averaging 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. His offensive improvements drew attention, but voters largely recognized him for anchoring Cleveland’s defense.
Still, the coaches saw it differently. In their eyes, Mobley didn’t even crack the top three. Dort finished second with four first-place votes and 24 points. Green landed third, collecting two top votes and 18 total points. Mobley finished fourth, suggesting that the coaches valued metrics like individual steals and assignment defense more than team success or media narratives.
Daniels’ Case Not Without Flaws
Despite his statistical success, Daniels’ DPOY case had some clear weaknesses. Atlanta’s defense ranked 18th in defensive rating and 28th in Opponent’s points. Rarely does a Defensive Player of the Year come from such a weak defensive team. In fact, the last time a player won the award from outside a top-10 defense was Marcus Camby in 2006-07. His Denver Nuggets finished 11th that season.
Even though Daniels led the league in steals, some voters questioned if those numbers translated to meaningful team impact. Steals can be misleading when not paired with overall team cohesion on defense. Nonetheless, Dyson Daniels’ elite anticipation and quick hands couldn’t be ignored in this year’s DPOY poll. Daniels made his mark despite the Hawks’ limitations.
Daniels Gained Respect After Pelicans Trade
Daniels arrived in Atlanta via the Dejounte Murray trade. That move paid off tremendously. He quickly made an impression as a tenacious perimeter stopper. By midseason, he led most defensive tracking stats among guards. Daniels guarded top scorers nightly and often succeeded in disrupting opposing game plans.
Coaches and assistants recognized that. His place atop the DPOY poll reflects growing league-wide respect. While the media leaned toward Mobley and rewarded Cleveland’s team success, those closer to the action appreciated Daniels’ consistency and grit.
Daniels’ Future in the DPOY Conversation
Daniels may not have won the official award this year, but his name now lives among elite defenders. Being the top pick in the coaches’ DPOY poll says a lot. If he can maintain or even improve next season, he’ll remain in the conversation. A better team defense around him would only strengthen his case.
The Daniels DPOY poll results show how coaches see the game differently. They value matchups, individual defensive talent, and effort over media narratives. Daniels’ rise from trade asset to defensive centerpiece proves that numbers and on-court grind can still catch the eyes of those who know defense best.
Going forward, if the Hawks improve defensively, expect Daniels to be a regular presence in every DPOY poll discussion. He may not have the hardware this year, but he has the respect—and that can be just as valuable.
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