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Is Thunder Veteran’s DPOY Campaign For Real?

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The driving force behind the Oklahoma City Thunder’s success is largely the titillating triumvirate of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. In spite of that, Lu Dort‘s development has become pivotal to their success. Specifically, OKC’s defensive expert has done well to help the Thunder build their identity at that end, which proved essential on their path to winning the 2025 NBA Finals.

Of course, Dort’s no hidden gem these days; everybody recognizes his talent.

Is The Lu Dort DPOY Campaign For Real?

After going undrafted out of Arizona State, Dort continues to grow in a multitude of ways, as evidenced by him shooting a career-high 41.2 percent from 3 last season. Nevertheless, after six years in the NBA, the hallmark of his game is that he’s a defensive beast. Now fresh off a championship, the Dorture Chamber should now set his sights on another prestigious trophy that will elevate his career. Truly, if there’s a player who will be making a case for the Defensive Player of the Year this time, it’s him.

With that in mind, after Dort was named to the 2024-25 All-Defensive First Team, hopes are high that a DPOY campaign will be brewing hot next season. After being snubbed in the race in the past few years, Dort’s undoubtedly revving up to go again.

Against The Grain

Let’s face it, guards rarely win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

In fact, only five guards in history have managed to do so: Sidney Moncrief, Alvin Robertson, Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, and Marcus Smart. Of those players, Smart is the only guard to win it this millennium. If Dort, a swashbuckling guard, ended up winning the DPOY? He’d be the first guard this century and the third since Payton came away with the award in 1996.

With that being said, frontcourt players have dominated the list DPOY award winners for the past 10 years.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard won it in back-to-back seasons (2014-15, 2015-16). A tainted reputation doesn’t change the fact that Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has won four of them. Smart (who now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers), Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green, Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr., and Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley.

It’s a massive difference and pretty astounding. Long story short, there’s a huge difference if Dort ends up winning it. It would go so far against the grain, it would be a monumental achievement. Keep in mind that the Montreal native would also be the first Canadian player to do so.

Beating the Odds

If healthy, San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama is expected to be the frontrunner for the DPOY. After all, he’s a 7-foot-3 phenom whose length has helped him average 3.7 blocks per game in his blossoming career. Mobley, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, is likely to be a contender again. Gobert has a chance of making history by being the first NBA player to win five DPOY awards.

Among the perimeter players, Atlanta Hawks two-way playmaker Dyson Daniels could continue upping his game after breaking out last season.

May 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) defends Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during the second half in game one of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Then there’s Dort, who is regarded as an underrated defender but did finish fourth in last year’s voting.

The Last Word On Lu Dort’s DPOY Chances

We all know how Dort is capable of shutting down the game’s top scorers. From future Hall of Fame guard James Harden to Lakers superstar Luka Doncic, he’s taking them down with expert performance.

The odds don’t favor him winning the award just yet. At 26 years old, he’s actually just entering his prime and has room to improve on both ends. With that in mind, considering that Oklahoma City has already won a title with him as their defensive anchor, imagine if he improves? From going undrafted, to an NBA champion and All-NBA defender, to winning the Defensive Player of the Year award?

That’s a path that was taken by Green, and one that Dort could follow to be the league’s next defensive icon.

© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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