NBA: 5 players ready to make the jump to stardom in 2019-20

Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers

The 2019 Sixth Man of the Year candidate has bounced around the league via trade since getting picked 11th overall by the Orlando Magic in 2016. Over the past three years, Sabonis and teammate Victor Oladipo have been a trade package from Orlando to Oklahoma City, and then from Oklahoma City to Indiana where both players currently reside.

As soon as Oladipo joined the Indiana Pacers his game flourished. He went from a serviceable second option to a two-time All-Star and leader of a valiant Pacers team. Sabonis didn’t have as rapid of success as Oladipo having come off the bench in his first two seasons with the team, but that didn’t stop him from putting up noteworthy numbers. The power forward put up career highs in points (14.1), rebounds (9.3), assists (2.9) and shot percentage (.590) earning him recognition across the league as a versatile sixth man.

What makes this season different than previous is that over the summer Indiana lost 3 of their 5 starters. Oladipo is also still recovering from a knee injury, giving Sabonis all the room in the world to climb the depth chart into the starting 4 position. Sabonis is now in the situation to up his game to the next level.

He’s proven to be successful in Indiana’s system, he’s shown he gets better every year, and when Oladipo comes back the chemistry on the floor will be formidable. Every team Sabonis has played on, Oladipo was there with him; the proven leader will have no problem incorporating him into his starting role and utilizing him to his best.