Predicting the NBA All-Defensive Teams: Who else makes the cut besides Gobert?

Predicting the All-NBA Defensive Second Team

Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls

According to CraftedNBA, Alex Caruso was by far the most disruptive defender in the NBA—and rightfully so. The Chicago Bull causes havoc on the defensive end. He led the NBA in deflections, averaging 3.7 per game.

The defensive-minded guard averaged 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Despite standing 6-foot-5, Caruso's opponents shot 5.5 percent worse within six feet when defended by the former Laker. Playing on a porous Chicago squad, Caruso ranked eighth in the NBA in defensive box plus/minus.

Derrick White, Boston Celtics

Yet another member of the exclusive one-plus block and steal per game fraternity, the 6-foot-4 Derrick White averaged more blocks than steals per game this season—1.2 blocks to 1.0 steals, respectively.

The Boston Celtics guard is about as versatile as they come. He's spent a bevy of time defending players ranging from 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-10 this season. White's opponents rarely attacked him in isolation as he made life difficult for every matchup. No opponent was safe when it came to attacking the Celtic in isolation, as a pick-and-roll handler, or as a spot-up shooter.

Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic

Another disruptive defender, Jalen Suggs has found his niche in the NBA. While not quite as versatile as the defenders mentioned above or below, Suggs excels at defending perimeter players. The former top-five selection averaged 1.4 steals and 2.5 deflections per game.

While defending pick-and-roll ball handlers, Suggs forced turnovers on 16 percent of such possessions. Part of one of the NBA's best defenses, Suggs found himself ranked in the top 25 in defensive win shares, steal percentage, and defensive box plus/minus.

Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets

Back to versatility. Denver's Aaron Gordon doesn't wow you with any counting stats, as he averaged just 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. But what he does is spend his time defending the opposition's best forwards.

Gordon spent the majority of his time defending the likes of Zion Williamson, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, and Paolo Banchero. Not one of those players shot better than 50.0 percent from the field when guarded by Gordon. On the season, the athletic forward's matchups shot 5.4 percent whenever he was the primary defender.

Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves

Surprise, the second Timberwolf to appear in these projections. The Minnesota forward was seemingly crafted in a lab for premier defenders. The lanky 6-foot-9 forward is the best perimeter defender on the NBA's best defense. Minnesota's top-notch defense is five points better with McDaniels on the court.

Like Gordon, McDaniels frequently defended the opposing squad's best forwards. However, the young wing also defended elite guards. Due to McDaniels imposing physique, his matchups shoot seven percent worse at the rim when he's the primary defender.