NFL

Fantasy

About Us

NBA top 100 defenders rankings (11-100): Where do Jimmy Butler, Scottie Barnes land on list for 2025-26?

The 2025-26 season marks my third time ranking the top 100 defenders in the NBA. The goal for this list when I first started back in 2023 was to bring more attention to the defensive side of the ball, particularly to the good-not-great players that rarely get any recognition.

Much to my delight, that initial target has been hit. NBA defense has become more of a talking point in recent years. Other top defender lists have cropped up, which are excellent in their own right. Defensive breakdowns are growing on social media. Coaches openly discuss how rapidly defenses are evolving.

Despite that added attention, most fans' understanding of NBA defense is still way

See Full Page