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Indiana Pacers: Will Domantas Sabonis continue to improve?

By Shawn Chambers

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 05: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers is introduced prior to the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 05, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 05: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers is introduced prior to the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 05, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Domantas Sabonis – Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Domantas Sabonis – Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Fresh off a contract extension and his first All-Star appearance, Domantas Sabonis is set to lead the Indiana Pacers in 2020-21.

Seen by many as a throw-in or project added to the Paul George trade, Domantas Sabonis has taken significant strides in each of his first three seasons as a Pacer. As a rookie with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016-17, the big man averaged just 5.9 points 3.6 rebounds in 81 contests.

Since then, Sabonis has increased his scoring output and rebound numbers each year. During the COVID-19 disrupted season in 2019-20, he averaged 18.5 points and 12.4 rebounds prior to the season being suspended. Sabonis did so on an efficient 54% shooting from the field while also dishing out five assists.

His pre-Covid performance was enough to earn the first All-Star nod of Sabonis’ young career. He was the best player on a revamped Pacers squad that earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference without his presence in the Orland bubble.

Expectations for Sabonis will be sky-high during his fifth season in the league. He and the rest of the roster appear to be healthy. The roster is nearly unchanged while the landscape around the league saw a massive overhaul during the condensed offseason. Plus, the organization appears to have a young, progressive coach to usher the franchise into the modern era of NBA basketball.

At just 23-years-old at the time of his first all-star appearance, Sabonis became one of seven forwards/centers to earn their first midseason honor at 25-or-younger over the past five seasons. One of those seven big men was Bam Adebayo who also joined the group this season.

That leaves five other recent big men that earned respect early in their careers. Luckily for Pacer Nation, the other five names on the list continue to impress. Let’s take a look at how Sabonis’ first all-star season compare to other young big men in recent memory.

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