As the famous saying goes defense wins championships. However, defense is largely under-discussed and not fully appreciated in NBA discourse. With that in mind let’s shine some light on some of the NBA’s best defenders. This article will focus on the best defender on every Eastern Conference team. The same list for the Western Conference can be found here.
The Best Defender on Every Eastern Conference NBA Team
Atlanta Hawks: Dyson Daniels
The Hawks’ defense has struggled for the past few seasons notably they ranked just 27th last year. However, as a part of the Dejounte Murray trade the Hawks landed one of the most underrated young players and an elite defender in Dyson Daniels. The 2022 lottery pick has struggled to find a consistent role with the Pelicans due to their loaded rotation. Daniels, six-foot-eight is a jumbo-sized point-attack-defender with the ability to guard multiple positions.
Last season Daniels posted an impressive 2.2 defensive win shares and ranked in the 88th percentile for defensive plus/minus. According to data from BBall Index Daniels is the league’s third-best point-of-attack defender. With a larger role in Atlanta, more people will recognize Daniels’ elite defense and he is poised to have a breakout year.
Boston Celtics: Jrue Holiday
The Celtics have several elite defenders including Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jayson Tatum however, Jrue Holiday stands out as the best. Holiday is not only one of the best perimeter defenders in the league but is also incredibly versatile. His defense was crucial during the Celtics championship run. Holiday is well-known as a clutch defender especially for his game-clinching steals against the Pacers in 2024 and against Phoenix in the 2021 Finals.
Notably, Holiday is a six-time all-defensive team member with four consecutive selections. According to data from CraftedNBA Holiday ranks in the 99th percentile for versatility and the 89th for matchup difficulty. Furthermore, Holiday ranked in the 87th percentile for defensive plus/minus and posted 3.0 defensive winshares. Overall, Holiday is the complete package defensively.
Brooklyn Nets: Nic Claxton
The Nets traded Mikal Bridges to fully rebuild this offseason. However, an under-the-radar move was bringing back Nic Claxton to a reasonable four-year $100 million dollar deal. Claxton, 25 is one of the NBA’s best rim protectors and is highly switchable. Last season he averaged 2.1 blocks in 2022-23 he averaged 2.5 blocks and finished ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Claxton also posted 3.2 defensive win shares last season.
Charlotte Hornets: Mark Williams
Unfortunately, health has been a problem for Mark Williams, he has only played 62 total games in his two seasons in the league including just 19 games this past season. However, Williams is an underrated young player and a high-quality defender. Throughout his career, Williams has averaged a block per game. Williams has also posted a negative net defensive-difference in both of his seasons as a pro. Ultimately, Williams is a mobile rim protector and at 22 he has tons of upside.
Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams
The Bulls don’t have many options for the best defender after trading Alex Caruso to the Thunder. Nevertheless, Patrick Williams is a high-quality young wing defender, Notably the Bulls gave Williams a five-year $90 million dollar contract this offseason. This was in large part due to Williams’ defensive abilities and upside at 22. Williams is a high-level versatile wing defender with an ideal combination of strength, speed, athleticism, and IQ. Notably, Williams ranked in the 83rd percentile for defensive plus/minus.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley
Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are both premier defenders. However, Mobley’s elite versatility gives him the edge over Allen who is more of a traditional defensive anchor. Mobley’s combination of rim protection and versatility make him one of the top defenders in the league. In the 2022-23 season, Mobley finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Notably during that season, Mobley’s 4.8 defensive win shares lead the league. While he will have tough competition with Victor Wembanyama’s defensive dominance Mobley will likely be in several DPOY conversations down the road.
Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson
On a lowly Pistons squad, Ausar Thompson was a bright spot last season. Thompson is a highly versatile 6-foot-7 wing who has an ideal combination of speed, strength, and athleticism. This skill set allowed Thompson to make an immediate impact as a rookie. Impressively, Thompson posted a -5.9 net defensive difference. On an improved Pistons squad, Thompson could make an even more noticeable defensive impact.
Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner
The Pacers 24th ranked defense was a clear weak point in an otherwise stellar season. Regardless, the Pacers still have several impactful defenders including versatile wings Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam as well as T.J. McConnell who is a pesky perimeter defender. However, Myles Turner is the ultimate choice for the Pacer’s best defender. Turner is one of the league’s best shot blockers averaging a career 2.2 blocks per game. Notably, Turner is a two-time block champ in 2020-21 he averaged 3.4 blocks and in 2018-19 he averaged 2.7 both seasons saw Turner finish within the top 10 of Defensive Player of the Year voting. While he’s not an elite rim protector Turner’s shot-blocking and switchability make him a highly valuable defender.
Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo is one of the NBA’s best and most consistent defenders. Adebayo has made five consecutive All-Defensive teams and finished top five in Defensive Player of the Year voting in each of those seasons. His elite rim protection paired with unmatched versatility gives him a strong case as a top-three defender in the association. Impressively this past season Bam ranked in the 97th percentile for defensive plus/minus and had 4.3 defensive win shares. Bam led the Heat to a top-five defense. Overall there are only a few players with more defensive responsibilities and impact than Adebayo.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
While some people have forgotten Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the league’s top defenders. The Greek Freak is a five-time All-Defensive team member and the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year. Notably, he is one of three players in NBA history to win MVP and DPOY in the same season. Giannis’ elite combination of athleticism, size, and agility make him one of the most impactful defenders in the league. This past season Giannis ranked in the 92nd percentile for defensive plus/minus and earned 3.7 defensive win shares. Ultimately, Giannis’ elite two-way abilities have made him a superstar for years.
New York Knicks: OG Anunoby
After trading for Mikal Bridges this summer the Knicks have two of the league’s premier wing defenders. OG Anunoby and Bridges are two incredibly impactful and disruptive defenders. Bridges’ unmatched durability gives him an initial advantage. However, Anunoby’s superior on-ball defense and advanced metrics give him a slight edge.
Impressively with OG on the court, the Knicks had an absurd 100.9 defensive rating giving OG a -14.1 net difference. Anunoby also ranked in the 99th percentile for defensive plus-minus. Ultimately, either wing is a valid choice for the team’s best defender and it will be interesting to see who the Knicks put on the opposition’s best player.
Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs
With the addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope the Magic have two of the league’s best perimeter defenders. Either KCP or Jalen Suggs is a reasonable choice for Orlando’s best defender. Jonathan Isaac could also be in the mix however, his constant injuries hurt his case. While KCP’s experience gives him an advantage Suggs was the more productive defensive player last season and projects to be Orlando’s main on-ball stopper this upcoming season.
Suggs made All-Defensive second team last year and has an unmatched motor which allows him to be an elite point-of-attack defender. BBall Index ranked Suggs as the league’s second-best point-of-attack defender. Suggs ranked in the 98th percentile for defensive plus/minus and had 3.2 defensive win shares. At, 23 Suggs has the potential to be a perennial All-Defensive player.
Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid’s incredible two-way play makes him one of the top stars in the league. Defensively, Embiid is an elite rim protector and shot blocker. With this skill set, he can anchor a defense and deter shots at the rim all while being capable of guarding the pick-and-roll. Notably, Embiid defended the second most field goal attempts this season and the third most in 2022-23. Embiid has earned at least 2.3 defensive win shares in every season excluding his rookie year. Additionally, Embiid has made three All-Defensive teams in his career. Overall, Embiid is undoubtedly an elite defender.
Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes
Scottie Barnes is the league’s most forgotten and under-discussed young star. The do-it-all 6-foot-7 wing is a highly versatile and impactful defender. Barnes’ lethal combination of size, athleticism, speed, and IQ allows him to guard any position. Metrics from CraftedNBA rank Barnes in the 99th percentile for versatility. Furthermore, Barnes was a -2 net defensive difference last season and he ranked in the 81st percentile for defensive plus/minus. Barnes has a career of All-Defensive selections ahead of him starting as early as this upcoming season.
Washington Wizards: Bilal Coulibaly
It’s tough to pick the best defender for the Wizards as they had the league’s 28th-ranked defensive rating last season. Additionally, they traded their best defender Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers this summer. However, Bilal Coulibaly is a young defensive-minded wing filled with potential. Coulibaly is a disruptive and versatile wing with a high basketball IQ. The 6-foot-7 rookie averaged nearly a steal and a block per game. Coulibaly also posted .9 defensive win shares was above average in CraftedNBA’s versatility and matchup difficulty metrics. The 19-year-old Frenchman has tons of upside and an exciting career ahead of him.
