Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA over the past few years. He's averaged right around 19 points per game in each of the past four seasons. Sabonis has steadily increased his rebounds per outing, averaging just under 14 boards per contest in each of the past two seasons. He will likely continue his consistency in 2025-26, however, there could be one big change.
The Kings are hoping to improve their roster. Nothing is guaranteed to come to fruition, but Sacramento could make a postseason run during the upcoming season. They will have a chance to make noise with Sabonis leading the way. Although Kings fans understand how valuable Sabonis is to the team's success, the NBA has seemingly overlooked the star forward.
In 2024-25, Sabonis averaged 19.1 points and a league leading 13.9 rebounds per outing. The 29-year-old also averaged 6.0 assists per game and shot 59 percent from the field and a career-best 41.7 percent from beyond the arc. His numbers were similar to the past few seasons -- he even improved in a lot of ways -- but Sabonis failed to receive an MVP vote. In 2022-23 and 2023-24, though, Sabonis finished seventh and eighth in NBA MVP voting.
The Kings were eliminated in the NBA Play-In Tournament as well. Between the early elimination and the MVP voting snub, perhaps Sabonis will have extra motivation for 2025-26.
Our prediction is that Sabonis will record the best MVP voting finish of his career.
Domantas Sabonis set to seriously enter MVP conversation?
It's a bold prediction given the amount of elite talent in the NBA. Sabonis has enjoyed a stellar career, but he's only earned MVP votes in two of his nine years in the league, and the best he's finished is seventh.
The NBA needs to take notice of everything that Sabonis does on the floor. He shoots at an efficient level from inside the three-point line. The forward has continued to work on his three-point shot as well. His 2.2 three-point attempts per contest in 2024-25 was the second highest mark of his career. As aforementioned, he led the league in rebounding while scoring at a quality level.
Despite the impressive statistics and all-around impact on the game, Sabonis didn't even earn an All-Star selection. One has to imagine that the three-time All-Star will enter 2025-26 on a mission to silence the doubters. There will be added motivation as he hopes to lead the Kings to the playoffs as well.
Yes, it's bold, but look for Sabonis to finish sixth or better in 2025-26 NBA MVP voting.