Indiana Pacers preseason player award predictions

Most Valuable Player: Domantas Sabonis

You noticed right away during the playoffs that the Pacers were missing a key factor in their offense. Although Victor Oladipo returned to the team, you could tell that there was something wrong with our offense.

Sabonis has often carried the weight of this Pacers offense. His ability to screen is one of the best in the NBA and with that comes his value.

With his great ability to attack the basket and finish at the rim, he creates for other players by drawing in defenders and being able to find open shooters.

This is especially noticeable when he is placed with the second unit a dishing outside to guys like Justin Holiday and Doug McDermott who were both 40-plus percent shooter from three last season.

Something else to note, his ability to rebound the ball. There’s no question that he is the best rebounder for the pacers last season where he averaged 12.4 rebounds per game.

Although nine of those 12 on average came from the defensive end, the Pacers need a guy that can be active around the rim and Sabonis does that very well. Obviously, Myles Turner does this as well defensively, but the more guys that can help limit second-chance points for the opposing team is very valuable.

If Sabonis can hit the ground running this season after missing those many months, and maintain the majority of his scoring output as he did last season, I think he will be the most valuable piece to this new Pacers offense going forward.