NBA: Biggest X-factor for all 30 teams in the 2019-20 season

Indiana Pacers: Domantas Sabonis

Membership for the Domantas Sabonis fan club belongs to a specific group of NBA diehards that appreciate what he brings to the table off the bench. Since being traded to the Indiana Pacers, Sabonis has been nothing but spectacular in the limited minutes he’s been given.

An ambidextrous finisher around the rim with quality passing chops and effort on the glass, he averaged 14.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in less than 25 minutes a game last season.

Sabonis finished second in the voting for Sixth Man of the Year, but due to roster changes, he might be named a starter, a position he’s more than earned.

Bojan Bogdanovic and Thaddeus Young are gone, leaving Sabonis to take over the starting power forward spot. His grounded and physically imposing game should mesh well with the athletically superior and perimeter-oriented Myles Turner, but his role may change as a result.

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Transitioning to a starting gig is no easy task. It’s harder to establish a rhythm off the pine, but opponents are worse with more touches to have. Sabonis’ production has been a welcomed addition to Indiana’s attack but hardly anyone notices in its absence.

As a starter, he’ll face more pressure to consistently contribute without anyone in front of him on the depth chart.

Part of the logic for Indiana behind letting Young and Bogdanovic go was knowing it had a capable replacement waiting in the wings.

Having upgraded their backcourt, the Pacers are banking on Sabonis to continue his inside dominance to keep up with those at the top of the Eastern Conference.