On April 24, the Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers was named the 2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Coached by Kenny Atkinson, who took home Coach of the Year honors himself, Mobley and his teammates ultimately fell to Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Indiana then losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Finals.

Given his recent accolades and constant improvement in technique, the expectations for Mobley’s fifth season in the league are high.

After a start that saw Cleveland roll off 15 straight wins to open the 2024-25 campaign, the abrupt ending left fans and the franchise hungry for more. And now, with the 2025-26 regular season just getting underway this Wednesday in the Big Apple, when the Cavaliers visit the New York Knicks, all eyes turn to what’s next for Mobley and Cleveland.

Defense At Its Finest

Won at only 23 years old, Mobley’s DPOY award signifies that his defensive impact is not just elite, it’s foundational for Cleveland. His blend of rim-protection, mobility to switch on perimeter players and his instinctive positioning has made him the anchor of one of the league’s better defensive units. In the regular 2024-25 season, he averaged around 1.6 blocks per game and maintained a highly efficient field-goal percentage.

With Atkinson’s 12-man system emphasizing collective defense and versatility, Mobley is set to be one of the central figures. For fans, that means you should expect him to show up in the big moments with big plays: chase-downs, contested jumpers, and switches onto wings. His DPOY trophy is not just an award; it’s only a starting point. 

Taking Offense to the Next Level

While defense earned him the award, the spotlight now shifts to what Mobley can do on offense. In 2024-25, he averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting around 55.7 % from the field and approximately 37.0 % from three-point range. That mix of efficiency, rebounding and developing range signals a forward trending toward two-way star status.

There are some extra aspects of Mobley’s game to keep an eye on this year. The first is that he should be getting up more three-point attempts. If Mobley pushes up towards 3.5 to 4 attempts per game and holds that ~37-40% clip, he will become significantly harder to guard.

Expect to see a slight change in floor time, too. If Cleveland leans on Mobley more as a playmaker or a go-to option in clutch moments, his numbers could see a noticeable boost. This goes hand in hand with improved decision-making with the ball. The rebounding and assists already show Mobley is an active creator. The next step is greater consistency and more big-shot moments.

Health and durability

Mobley has had a few bumps along the way as ankle and knee issues have popped up in past seasons. That said, appearing in 71 games last season was a strong showing and suggests his availability in play is improving. The Cavaliers’ staff is likely to manage his workload early in the year, especially with the playoff picture and his central role in mind.

For fans, the hope is clear: a mostly healthy Mobley playing 30+ minutes per game, unhampered by issues, entering the 2026 playoff stretch strong and ready for a deep run.

A Fan’s Raison D’être

For Cavaliers fans, Evan Mobley has become a kind of beacon; the kind of player you mark down as a “what if” when you look at championship potential. Now, with DPOY in hand and the rest of his trajectory clear, the question isn’t can he reach the next level, it’s when.

This season, you’ll want to watch him for game-changing defensive sequences, a higher ceiling on offense (more shot attempts, more creation), big moments in high-leverage situations and staying healthy and available when it matters.

If Mobley delivers on those fronts, the Cavaliers’ playoff hopes shift from “contender in waiting” to “serious threat.” Wednesday is just the first step. The next 82 games, and beyond, may be the era that defines him (and Cleveland) for years to come.