Domantas Sabonis has been efficient and busy through the Kings' 0-6 start, but his usage is only 15.7% and the team has not won with him as its center. This season he has to be the hub that organizes the offense and steadies a defense that is giving up far too much.
Last season
Sacramento went 22-60 and finished 28th in defense, with a net rating of minus-9.7, 28th of 30 teams. Sabonis is a 10-year veteran at 30 and the anchor of the roster that has to prove that was a bottom. He is paid $45.5M this season and $48.6M in 2027-28, second on the payroll behind LaVine's $49.0M player option.
Opening week
Against Portland he produced the high point of the Kings' season: 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists. Sacramento lost that game, as it has lost every game since. It showed what the offense looks like when the ball runs through him, and it has not looked like that often enough since.
This season so far
In six games he averages 37.0 minutes, 16.0 points, 15.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists, shooting 69.1% from the field with a 73.7% true shooting mark. It is a small sample, but the efficiency is hard to argue with. His usage is just 15.7%, and he gives the ball away 3.7 times a game.
October 27 to 31
Three road losses ran 27, 12 and 31 points. The starting group of LaVine, Sabonis, Hunter, Achiuwa and Acuff has played 59 minutes in four games at a net of minus-23.6. Sabonis himself has an offensive rating of 107.2 against a defensive rating of 120.5. The team defensive rating is 122.6.
This week
He is not on the injury report, while Murray and Raynaud are out until an estimated November 10 and Cardwell until November 4. That keeps his minutes high and puts the middle of the defense on him. The verdict: he must be the hub who feeds Acuff and LaVine and the anchor who stops the bleeding.
How is Domantas Sabonis playing for the Kings this season?
Through six games he averages 16.0 points, 15.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 37.0 minutes, shooting 69.1% from the field. The Kings are still 0-6 and his net rating is minus-13.3.
Is Domantas Sabonis injured?
No, he is not on the injury report. Keegan Murray, Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell and Ben Simmons are the Kings listed as out.
