Evan Mobley did not appear in the results for any of the four individual defensive questions in the NBA's annual general manager survey, which NBA.com published Thursday.
Donovan Mitchell and coach Kenny Atkinson both addressed the omission after the Cleveland Cavaliers practiced Friday at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio.
Mobley won Defensive Player of the Year in 2024-25, the first Cavalier to win the award. He received 35 of 100 first-place votes that season. He was also a 2025 All-Star and made the All-Defensive First Team in 2022-23.
NBA.com's John Schuhmann conducts the survey, now in its 25th year. General managers answered 48 questions and were not permitted to vote for their own teams or personnel.
Victor Wembanyama received 97% of the vote for best defensive player and 97% for best interior defender. Ausar Thompson took the other 3% for best defensive player. Amen Thompson led the perimeter defender question with 30%, and Wembanyama led the most versatile defender question with 30%.
Mobley did not appear among the players receiving votes in the power forward or center questions either.
Mitchell Dismisses GM Survey as Opinion
Mitchell pointed to the small forward question. GMs voted Luka Dončić the league's best small forward with 37%, ahead of Jayson Tatum at 33%. Dončić also finished third among point guards at 10%.
"No, I don't mean to be rude and cut you off, but I don't buy into, like, I don't know," Mitchell said. "Like, in those things, it's like, it's up for opinion, it's up for debate, that's why it's put out there. Is Luka a small forward to you? Like, he's one of the best point guards we have in this league, you know what I'm saying? Who are we to sit here and be like, man, this GM didn't say that? Well, Koby thinks that. I think that. So all that matters is what we think, no matter what the GM of the Spurs, or the GM of the Thunder, or the Heat. At the end of the day, we believe in Ev. Ev believes in Ev."
"At the end of the day, that's all that really matters," Mitchell continued. "I look at those things, it's like, it's just great for conversation. That's what drives the NBA, you know what I mean? I mean, yeah, if we win and we get there, I'm sure we'll be on [the list]. But, like, we're not on there. It's not like the end of the world. Everybody in this building believes in him. Koby Altman believes in him. That's the only team we really need approval from, to be honest."
Five years ago, 33% of GMs picked Mobley as the rookie who would be the best player in five years, the highest share for that question.
He averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks last season. Winning Defensive Player of the Year raised the value of his five-year rookie-scale extension from a projected $224.2 million to about $269.1 million, according to Hoops Rumors' projections. The deal runs through 2030.
Atkinson Says Snub Could Add to Mobley’s Chip
Atkinson said accolades mean something to players.
"That's maybe why I didn't read that thing," Atkinson said. "I'm like you. I'm like, now you're getting me riled up, because he should be, right? And I think that's part of that kind of chip on his shoulder. You have to talk to him. I kind of see it. I think he wants to get back to that elite status and All-Star status. I feel that's part of his goal this year."
Mitchell drew 3% of the vote for best shooting guard, fourth behind Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dončić.
Several other Cavaliers appeared in the results. GMs ranked Cleveland third in the Eastern Conference with 15% of the total points, behind the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. A year ago, 63% picked Cleveland to win the East.
Atkinson tied for fourth among coaches who run the best offense at 7%. Peyton Watson tied for fourth in voting for the offseason's most underrated player acquisition. Meleek Thomas, the 34th pick in June, tied for second as the rookie who was the biggest steal at his draft slot. Assistant coaches Johnnie Bryant and Trevor Hendry received votes for best assistant.
Cavaliers Want More From Mobley This Season
An NBA scout questioned Mobley's offensive growth earlier this month, and Atkinson has said he plans to use Mobley like Kevin Garnett.
Cleveland opens the regular season Thursday, Oct. 22, at Philadelphia at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.