Reclaiming the throne in Utah requires a return to elite shot-blocking form and a defensive resurgence, but Jackson must first outshine the generational shadow of Victor Wembanyama.
Jaren Jackson Jr. doesn't have to imagine what it takes to win Defensive Player of the Year, because he's already done it.
During the 2022-23 season, Jackson averaged 3.0 blocks per game while anchoring one of the NBA's top defenses, earning the first Defensive Player of the Year award of his career.
Now with the Utah Jazz, another trophy isn't out of the question. But reclaiming the honor in 2026-27 will require more than simply putting together another strong defensive season.
First — Jackson has to resemble the player who won the award three years ago.
The Jazz didn't trade for him simply to add another talented big man. CEO Danny Ainge acquired one of the league's premier defensive anchors, completely changing the identity of Utah's defense.
Jackson doesn't need to average exactly 3.0 blocks per game again, but he does need to reestablish himself among the NBA's most impactful defenders while remaining healthy enough to qualify for postseason awards.
For context, he hasn't averaged over two blocks per game since he earned the honor. Three may be a stretch, but Jackson has to remind everyone of the eraser he is.
Perhaps just as important, Utah has to take a major step defensively. Defensive Player of the Year winners almost always anchor elite team defenses.
Individual numbers certainly matter, but voters also want to see those contributions translate into team success on that end of the floor.
If the Jazz finish among the league's best defensive teams, just as, say, Rudy Gobert's Minnesota Timberwolves typically do, Jackson's résumé becomes significantly stronger.
However, Jackson will need to get past the biggest obstacle of all.
Victor Wembanyama.
The San Antonio Spurs superstar has quickly become the standard every defender is measured against. Assuming he reaches the NBA's 65-game minimum, he'll again be the favorite to win another Defensive Player of the Year award.
That's what makes Jackson's path so difficult.
It's not that he isn't capable of winning again.
It's that the NBA also happens to employ a generational defender who has already begun redefining what's possible on that end of the floor.
Because of that, Jackson's clearest path may require circumstances outside of his control.
If Wembanyama misses enough games to become ineligible for postseason awards, the race suddenly becomes far more open. Of course, we don't wish any sort of injury on the generational talent.
The NBA's introduction of the 65-game threshold has just increased the influence injuries have on who ultimately receives major awards.
Pair that with another dominant season from Jackson and a dramatic defensive improvement from the Jazz, and another Defensive Player of the Year trophy becomes a legitimate possibility.
Jackson has already proven he can be the NBA's best defender over the course of a season.
To do it again in Utah, he'll likely need to recreate that level of dominance while hoping the league's biggest obstacle isn't part of the race.
