NBA 2019-20: 5 bold predictions for Defensive Player of the Year award

#2 Draymond Green

Draymond Green was the Defensive Player of the year in 2017.

With three NBA All-Defensive first-team nods from 2015 through 2017, Draymond Green is no stranger to elite defense in crunch situations. There's a reason he has played a pivotal role in establishing the Warriors dyanasty over the past few years. His will to play hard and inspire others to give their all is something that transcends statsheets.

He led the league in steals in 2017 and has been named in All-Defensive second teams ever since. With the new look Dubs squad missing Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, it is near-perfect timing for Green to extend his wingspan and play a major role on both ends of the floor.

Green is one of the few players across the league who can be a dominant presence on defense and still be able to contribute double-digits in scoring on a nightly basis.

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#3 Joel Embiid

Only if it weren't for the lucky corner shot.

With the monstrous season he just had, Joel Embiid is on course to be the greatest big man in the league since Shaq hung his boots. He is already a 2-time All-Star and averaged almost two blocks per game this past season. Needless to say, his seven-foot frame is being put to good use by the Philly thinktank.

Just in the past two seasons, the Cameroonian did enough to get a couple of All-NBA Second team and All-Defensive Second team nods. He has evolved into a complete force on both ends of the floor and is only projected to soar higher if he manages to steer clear of injuries.