Ranking the top 50 NBA players of next season: 40-31

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34. Domantas Sabonis

Back to speaking of potential All-Stars for the Indiana Pacers, Domantas Sabonis made his first appearance at the winter classic last season. Last season he was a double-double machine, averaging 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists. The advanced stats favor Sabonis as well.

He finished 11th overall in defensive rebounding rate for anyone who played greater than 20 minutes per game. He was a workhorse on the defensive glass clearly, nearly reaching double digits in rebounds on that side alone. He was top five in assist rate for centers and seventh in assist to turnover ratio.

Sabonis is a creative passer who, like Brodgon, makes his teammates better. The passing angles he finds from the block makes the entire offense function. The Pacers have not be exactly explosive on offense (they have ranked 19th, 18th, 11th and 16th over the past four seasons) but they are smart and functional. If they can continue to add offensive talent then Sabonis only helps them get better.

Oladipo returning to his previous levels would be that step. The two of them at their peak could push this team into true contention in the Eastern Conference, not just another token first round appearance that finishes before anyone really takes the time to notice.