Draymond Green is making Defensive Player of the Year one of his big goals this season. Green previously won the award in 2017.

"I need that," Green said Wednesday night after the Golden State Warriors' 131-121 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. "I need that bad. Real bad. I made second team all-defense last year. I'm pissed about that still. I'll be pissed until I right that, so that's a serious goal of mine this year. And I'm on it every night."

Green also has a potential financial incentive for winning Defensive Player of the Year.

As ESPN's Bobby Marks pointed out recently, "Green would be eligible for a five-year, $235 million extension that would start in 2020. Keep in mind that because of Stephen Curry's contract, Golden State can sign only one more player to a super max."