Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 Midseason Takeaways

4. Domantas Sabonis or Enes Kanter in the starting lineup?

When it comes to fast starts, it’s hard to ignore what center Enes Kanter has done over the last 10 games. He is averaging 17.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He is a sound candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year Award this season.

In the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 122-118 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 15, Kanter scored 29 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and a block. He shot 10-for-18 from the floor in the game to lead the way for the bench.

Kanter has played 25.7 minutes per game over the last 10 games as well. It is more than Domantas Sabonis has played (20.8 minutes per game and also well above his production of 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds. It may also help solve the Thunder’s big man rotation.

Sabonis is more of threat outside the paint while Kanter is a bigger threat in the pick-and-roll game with Russell Westbrook. Maybe Sabonis would be better utilized off the bench on the second unit. He is only a rookie after all and learning the speed of the game.

The rookie big man is shooting 36.5 percent from the floor and 18.8 percent from three over his last 10 games.