Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors has clinched the NBA Hustle Award for the 2024-25 season, marking his inaugural win of this accolade established in 2017. Known for recognizing players who make pivotal 'effort plays,' Green excelled in various hustle stats, ranking in the top 40 across all nine categories tracked by the league. Notably, he was the oldest recipient at 35, previously finishing as runner-up in 2017 and 2023.

While Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks and Josh Hart from the New York Knicks were seen as contenders based on specific stat rankings, Green's consistent performance across all hustle metrics secured his victory. This award further solidifies Green's legacy, adding to his accolades as a two-time All-NBA and eight-time All-Defensive Team member, alongside his previous Defensive Player of the Year title.

The NBA's end-of-year awards have sparked intense debate, particularly with the MVP race between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as Draymond Green's late push for Defensive Player of the Year. Despite the Chicago Bulls' lack of representation, Matas Buzelis earned recognition for his quality rookie season, averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. Jokić's triple-double average solidified his MVP win, while Dyson Daniels claimed Defensive Player of the Year. Ivica Zubac and Payton Pritchard were recognized for Most Improved Player and Sixth Man, respectively. Jalen Brunson took home Clutch Player of the Year, and Kenny Atkinson was named Coach of the Year for leading the Cavaliers to the top of the East.

Evan Mobley, at just 23 years old, has clinched the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, marking a significant milestone in his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This accolade comes after Mobley excelled in a season that also saw him selected as an All-Star and achieve a career-high in scoring. His defensive prowess was pivotal for the Cavaliers, greatly impacting their game statistics when he was on the court, as highlighted by coach Kenny Atkinson.

Mobley edged out other finalists, including Dyson Daniels from Atlanta and Draymond Green from Golden State, with a defensive impact that is recognized as one of the best in the league. This season, Daniels recorded the most steals in the NBA, pointing to the competitive nature of this year's award. Analysts anticipate that Mobley, Daniels, and Green will all be selected for the NBA's All-Defensive Team, indicating a bright future for these defenders.

Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers has claimed the 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award, showcasing his exceptional defensive skills. The fourth-year forward averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game this season, significantly contributing to the Cavaliers' success.

Mobley secured 35 first-place votes and 30 second-place votes, totaling 285 points, far exceeding his competitors, Draymond Green and Dyson Daniels, who received 154 and 197 points, respectively. The DPOY race was notably open this year, especially with standout candidates like Victor Wembanyama missing out due to injury. This award marks Mobley's first career accolade, solidifying his position as a dominant force on the court.

In a notable shift for the Atlanta Hawks, Onsi Saleh has been promoted to General Manager following the dismissal of Landry Fields. Fields had a three-year tenure marked by two consecutive missed playoff appearances. The Hawks concluded the season with a 40-42 record and failed to advance past the play-in tournament. Principal owner Tony Ressler emphasized the need for a strategic overhaul, indicating their commitment to providing necessary resources in this crucial offseason.

Saleh's ascent comes after a year with the Hawks, having previously served as VP of Basketball Strategy with the Golden State Warriors. This move reflects the franchise's ambitions to secure a strong leadership position as they look to revitalize their playoff aspirations, particularly given the talent in players like Trae Young and Dyson Daniels.