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Positional Power Rankings: 30 best power forwards in the NBA

By John Buhler

Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) defends Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) defends Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) drives to the basket in front of Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) drives to the basket in front of Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Domantas Sabonis

Power Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder

There are a few rookies that will appear on this list. One guy that has carved out a nice rotational role his first year in the league is Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Domantas Sabonis.

He was Oklahoma City’s No. 11 overall pick by virtue of the Serge Ibaka trade with the Orlando Magic before the 2016 NBA Draft. Sabonis starred collegiately for Mark Few’s Gonzaga Bulldogs for two years before going pro. He is the son of Lithuanian basketball legend and Portland Trail Blazers icon Arvydas Sabonis.

With the Thunder, head coach Billy Donovan has opted to start Sabonis at power forward alongside center Steven Adams in the frontcourt. Donovan will end up playing sixth man center Enes Kanter more as the game goes on.

Even in limited playing time, Sabonis has shown a good cerebral approach to playing basketball. He’s only 20 years old and gets to play for a former college coach in Donovan. While Sabonis, hasn’t fully grasped the Thunder system in his rookie year, he looks to be a player that takes to coaching and will have a high floor.

Sabonis was the big piece Oklahoma City got in return Ibaka in the trade with the Magic. He’s raw, but projects to be an unbelievable rebounder with an average offensive game. Sabonis isn’t as gifted of a player as his father, but could end up having a long pro career in his own right.

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