Indiana Pacers Love/Hate series: Domantas Sabonis

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Thaddeus Young Domantas Sabonis Indiana Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 20: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers tries to restrain Thaddeus Young #21 during game three of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 20, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 92-90. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Domantas Sabonis’ projected role this coming season

Can you feel that elephant in the room?

Domantas Sabonis’ role for the Pacers projects to be a lot like last years – he will start the season off as the backup center, but he will get small amounts of run at the power forward spot as well.

But unlike most players on the team, Sabonis’ role could change. Nate McMillan suggested during the end of season press conference that he is going to try and have Sabonis and Myles Turner share the court more often this season. Up to this point, that hasn’t worked according to a -8.8 net rating.

But that doesn’t tell the whole story. With Turner and Sabonis sharing the court together and Lance Stephenson on the bench, the Pacers outscored their opponents by 12 points in 114 minutes. Lance is gone now. The Turner-Sabonis pairing could work, and that could make Sabonis transition from a backup at the 5 to a starter at the 4.

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If I had to guess, though, that transition won’t happen this season. Thaddeus Young is a very very good basketball player, and he is a better power forward than Sabonis at present time. That means Sabonis will likely still come off the bench and push him for minutes. Either way, expect Domas to continue to polish his skills this season. As he matures, he could become one hell of a player for the Pacers. It should be fun to watch.

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