When it comes to 2026 Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) conversations, all the talk is about Victor Wembanyama, and rightfully so. But if you've been paying attention to Scottie Barnes this season, then you know exactly how great his defense has been and that he belongs in the DPOY mix.
Barnes was drafted fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2021 and has played his entire career there so far. While his potential has long been evident, fans have been waiting for it to come to fruition. Part of the issue has been the Raptors themselves.
Toronto went through a period of upheaval that saw several players traded as well as the arrival of a new head coach. Now that the scene in the six is starting to settle down, Scottie is finding a real rhythm on the court as the leader of the consistently evolving Raptors franchise this season.
This has become particularly obvious on defense, where Barnes has become a walking highlight reel. It seems like he's responsible for an almost endless series of blocks, steals, and defensive plays that end up clipped and all over social media for the next couple of days after every game.
Scottie Barnes is making his case for Defensive Player of the Year
Being that Wembanyama has been blocking pretty much every shot that ends up within his ridiculous wingspan, he's an obvious frontrunner for DPOY. It also doesn't hurt that he has quick hands and picks up a lot of steals, as well as his surprisingly good movement for his size.
Frankly, Victor probably should have won DPOY last season, but was ineligible due to injuries. As long as he stays healthy, he's likely to win the award this season. That doesn't mean that Scottie Barnes isn't in contention. He has led the league in total steals and blocks, as well as clutch defensive plays.
Sure, there are other players like Chet Holmgrem in the mix, meaning it's not just Wembanyama who is in contention for the Award. And no one is suggesting that Barnes is a shoo-in, particularly with that level of competition between him and being the Defensive Player of the Year.
The important takeaway is Barnes finally finding his on-court identity with the Raptors, a defensive force who is pushing his team into the postseason. If he continues on this track in future seasons, Toronto will pick up steam, and his DPOY argument will be harder to deny.