During the 2015–16 season, Green dramatically increased his play-making role on the team, doubling his assists average to a team-leading 7.4 per game—good for seventh in the league and by far the most assists by any power forward that year. Green's ball handling, court vision and unselfishness in a point forward role have been repeatedly cited as a reason why the Warriors improved from 2014–15 to 2015–16.[138][139] In 2015–16, Green played approximately 20 percent of his minutes in that role, with the Warriors outscoring their appointments by 26.6 points per 48 minutes.[140][141] Though he took a lesser role on offense for the 2016–17 season, thanks to the addition of former MVP Kevin Durant, he took a step forward on defense, finally winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award that he coveted after two straight seasons as runner-up to Kawhi Leonard.[142] Green is said to have played a significant role in the recruitment of Kevin Durant to join the Warriors.[143]