As the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs carries out, the postseason awards are being announced day by day. The Defensive Player of the Year award was given to none other than Victor Wembanyama, who became the first-ever unanimous winner of the award. Toronto Raptors’ two-time All-Star Scottie Barnes has been highly anticipated to be in the voting for the award, and ultimately, he finished in fifth place with a total of 21 points. 

While the 7-foot-4, 235-pound Wembanyama is going to be a shoo-in for the award seemingly every year from now on, it’s important to recognize how incredible of a season Barnes has had. His impact for the Raptors has been unmatched, guarding the best player on opposing teams night in and night out, both on the perimeter and interior. 

Barnes’ case has been highlighted throughout most of the season because of the team’s overall defensive efforts. The Raptors were the fifth-best team in the NBA in terms of defensive rating, with 112.1, and their tenacity was enforced as a result of following the leader. The former Florida State Seminole was the only player in the NBA this season to record 100 steals and 100 blocks in a season; he’s the first to do so since Andre Drummond in 2019 (via StatMuse). 

After an incredible all-around effort as a defender this season, the conversation switches to whether he should be a lock to be selected to the All-Defensive First-Team. Now that the All-NBA teams are positionless, it should be the top five to qualify for each category to be selected (i.e., top five in MVP are All-NBA First, top five in DPOY are All-Defensive First, and top five in ROTY are All-Rookie First). 

There shouldn’t be much of a question as to whether Barnes is selected, even though he finished fifth in the DPOY voting. There could be an argument to include players who are on teams that won more in the regular season, like Derrick White and Cason Wallace, who finished sixth and seventh, respectively, but were on top-two seeded teams in either conference. 

In neither of those players’ situations, though, are they the head of the snake defensively. The Oklahoma City Thunder possess the greatest defense the NBA has seen in the past several years, led by Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Wallace. The Boston Celtics demoralize teams with their all-around defensive effort, and while White may be the best defender on the team, he certainly isn’t going to be the difference between great and average for the team’s defense. 

Barnes, on the other hand, is undoubtedly the defensive anchor for the Raptors. He provides much-needed stability for the team, knowing that his presence is affecting the decision-making of opposing ball-handlers, regardless of where they or he is on the court. Then, when factoring in his assertiveness in taking on the challenge for the team’s best player, no matter the position, his impact may be second only to Wembanyama.