There's something I've often found myself wondering about. Domantas Sabonis may very well be the Sacramento Kings' best player. Yet, he is fourth on the team in field goal attempts per game (12.6).
Even now that De'Aaron Fox is gone, Sabonis is still somehow fourth on the team in shots taken per game (10.6). But why?
Why does Sabonis not shoot more?
It is not like Sabonis is an inefficient scorer. On the season, his true shooting percentage is at 66.2%, which ranks in the 96th leaguewide. In fact, he's been in the 90th percentile or higher in this category in each of the last four seasons.
One thing about Sabonis is that he loves to score around the rim. He's in the 96th percentile in shots around the rim (eight rim attempts per 75 possessions). So, maybe teams just pack the paint against him and restrict his ability to get to his favorite spots.
This is how teams generally try to play him. But it is not like Sabonis is a bad shooter. He's in the 44th percentile in midrange efficiency, and this is kind of a down year by his standards. In the two seasons before this one (2023-24 and 2022-23), he was in the 87th and 82nd percentile, respectively.
As for his 3-point shooting, Sabonis has become one of the better volume 3-point shooters in the NBA. Of the 253 players who have taken at least 100 threes this season, Sabonis is eighth in the entire league at 43.2%.
Now, some would argue that Sabonis doesn't get opportunities to shoot a lot because he's such a great passer, and there are other mouths to feed. Despite being a center, Sabonis has been in the 84th percentile or higher in assist percentage in each of his last five seasons.
However, Nikola Jokic gets even more assists, and he's still taking 19.2 field goals per game. So, it makes me wonder: why can't Sabonis do the same thing? After all, the Kings could really use it. He's their most efficient high-minute player. It would behoove him to take shots away from their less efficient players. But does Sabonis get less efficient the more he shoos? Does he take fewer shots for a reason?
However, Nikola Jokic gets even more assists, and he's still taking 19.2 field goals per game. So, it makes me wonder: why can't Sabonis do the same thing? After all, the Kings could really use it. He's the most efficient of their high-minute players. It would behoove him to take shots away from their less efficient players. But does Sabonis get less efficient the more he shoos? Does he take fewer shots for a reason?
What would happen if Sabonis took more shots right now? Would he be able to maintain his efficiency? Or would his true shooting take a dip like it did in Indiana?
I'm not sure, but man, would I love to find out.