NBA Fantasy Tiers: Should You Pick Domantas Sabonis?

Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Sacramento Kings

Nov 6-Nov 13 games: @ Houston, vs. Portland, vs. Oklahoma City, vs. Cleveland

Per game stats 2023: 17.4 PTS, 14.2 REB (1st overall), 5.8 AST, 524 FG%

Domantas Sabonis is the paint beast of the Sacramento Kings. When he is on his game, he eats glass, dishes the ball, and shoots pretty well. When he is asked to do too much - as he sometimes is - he can get worn down and unreliable. This was the case on November 4th vs. Houston when Sabonis was the lone quality asset the Kings had as a rebounder and the big man ended up with just 11 points off 1 for 4 FT shooting and five turnovers -- the most Sabonis had committed all season.

When Sabonis gets more support from his teammates - Harrison Barnes, I’m looking at you - and has a matchup against a lighter man, he tends to do better. In either case, he’s yet to post anything other than a double-double on the season and Sabonis is a legit threat for a triple-double when he takes an active distribution role. What do Domantas Sabonis’ NBA Fantasy Tiers prospects look like this week? Let’s get into it.

@ Houston, November 6

On November 6, Sabonis will be paired against PF Alperen Sengun and the Rockets for a rematch in Houston. In the first contest against the Kings on November 4th, Sengun had 15 PTS, 9 REB, and 6 AST, while shooting .538 from the field and committing just 2 turnovers. It wasn’t a lopsided individual outcome for Sabonis, but the Kings were poor from the field generally (38%), and just 27% beyond the arc. I think Sabonis and the Kings are traveling with intent on this one. There is a point to be made that what happened last game was an aberration and not a trend. That said, this is a rematch Sabonis should win, and a road game the Kings can win.

vs. Portland, November 8

On November 8, the Kings will start a three-game home stretch, welcoming the Portland Trail Blazers to town. POR C Deandre Ayton is no slouch, averaging 10.4 points per game along with 13.3 REBs and one block. Like Sabonis, Ayton is the dominant rebounder on his team (no other Trail Blazer averages more than 6.3 per game). Unlike Sabonis, Ayton does not distribute the ball well or much in Portland’s offense. That said, these are two big bodies that will spend much time crashing into each other in the paint. I give the edge to Sabonis in the individual contest based on his superior assists average.

vs. Oklahoma City, November 10

On November 10, Sabonis needs to beat Thunder PF Chet Holmgren and the Kings need to hope someone else can slow down OKC PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Holmgren is averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 boards, and 2.3 blocks for the Thunder this season. He is tall but he is thin, giving up perhaps 45 pounds to Sabonis in this matchup. That said, he is a good 3-pt. shooter (.565) and may force Domantas to extend away from the hoop more on defense. In any event, Domantas should dominate the glass in this one.

vs. Cleveland, November 13

Finally, on Monday, November 13, Sacramento will host the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by SG Donovan Mitchell and PF Evan Mobley -- Sabonis’ matchup for the night. Mobley averages a solid double-double for the Cavs (14.9 PTS, 11.6 REB), as well as chipping in a couple of clocks per game; he’s 49% from field goal range on the season and about 67% from the foul line, but he rarely shoots a three. For the most part, Mobley’s traits play to the strength of Sabonis’ game. Sabonis is also the physically stronger and more experienced player in this individual matchup. Expect Domantas Sabonis to play to his season averages or better in this game.

The Verdict

With four games over eight days and three of those in a row at home, Domantas Sabonis is set for an active week in NBA fantasy. Sabonis and the Kings owe Houston a little something on November 6th and I expect that will show up in his stat line for the game. Deandre Ayton will provide a tough matchup on November 8th. Chet Holmgren and OKC are very beatable for Sabonis and the Kings at home on November 10th. Evan Mobley vs. Domantas Sabonis will be a good battle to watch on November 13th; in the end, I think Sabonis will wear his man down in that game.