Each year, the best defensive players in the NBA earn formal recognition with selections to the league's All-Defensive Team.
Rudy Gobert has cemented himself as one of the greatest defenders in NBA history with a record-tying fourth Defensive Player of the Year award. Gobert is joined by nine of the game's best defenders on this year's team.
The All-Defensive Team was introduced following the 1968-69 season and has always consisted of two teams of five players. The 2023-24 season is a landmark year in All-Defensive Team voting as it is the first season in which teams are positionless. In previous years, teams were comprised of two guards, two forwards and a center, but in 2024, each team can consist of any combination of five players.
In addition to the positionless format, this season is the first in which players must meet a minimum games-played threshold to be eligible for an All-Defensive selection. Players who did not see at least 20 minutes of playing time in 65 or more games are not eligible for an All-Defensive selection, with an exception for those who suffered an injury deemed season-ending.
MORE: NBA reveals All-Rookie First and Second Teams for 2024
All-Defensive First Team
| Player | Position | Team |
| Bam Adebayo | Forward | Heat |
| Anthony Davis | Forward | Lakers |
| Rudy Gobert | Center | Timberwolves |
| Herb Jones | Forward | Pelicans |
| Victor Wembanyama | Forward | Spurs |
All-Defensive Second Team
| Player | Position | Team |
| Alex Caruso | Guard | Bulls |
| Jrue Holiday | Guard | Celtics |
| Jaden McDaniels | Forward | Timberwolves |
| Jalen Suggs | Guard | Magic |
| Derrick White | Guard | Celtics |
How All-Defensive Teams are selected
NBA end-of-season awards are voted on by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters, though it appears only 99 responses have been counted in 2023-24.
For the All-Defensive Team, each voter chooses the five players they deem most worthy for First and Second Teams. Beginning in 2024, these selections are made regardless of position. Players receive two points for First Team votes and one point for Second Team votes.
Full All-Defensive Team voting results
The complete voting results for the 2023-24 Kia NBA All-Defensive Team: pic.twitter.com/k3FODNJ0YU
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 21, 2024
Who has the most All-Defensive Team selections?
Hall of Famer Tim Duncan is the all-time leader with 15 All-Defensive Team selections. Duncan is one of just six players to receive 10 or more selections to an All-Defensive Team.
Warriors guard Chris Paul is the active leader with nine selections. His teammate Draymond Green has earned eight All-Defensive team selections but is ineligible for a ninth in 2023-24 after playing in just 55 games.
| Rank | Player | Total |
| 1. | Tim Duncan | 15 |
| 2. | Kobe Bryant | 12 |
| Kevin Garnett | 12 | |
| 4. | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 11 |
| Bobby Jones | 11 | |
| 6. | Scottie Pippen | 10 |
| 7. | Dennis Johnson | 9 |
| Michael Jordan | 9 | |
| Jason Kidd | 9 | |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | 9 | |
| Chris Paul | 9 | |
| Gary Payton | 9 |
