Domantas Sabonis Top 10 in Final ESPN MVP Straw Poll

The Sacramento Kings star big man continues to receive some MVP love during his historic season.

Apr 2, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) smiles. / Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

The Sacramento Kings have taken a step back in terms of team success compared to last season, but the individual success of star big man Domantas Sabonis has been extraordinary. Sabonis has continued to get MVP love throughout the season, but his absence from the 2024 All-Star Game remains a mystery.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps has released the final NBA MVP straw poll of the regular season, as Sabonis collected the ninth-most votes of any player in the league. Sabonis received three fifth-place MVP votes, but none in the top four. With the Kings sitting in seventh place in the West, it is challenging for Sabonis to get league-wide MVP love, but the star big man continues to be in the conversation.

Sabonis is averaging 19.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, leading the league in double-doubles (71), triple-doubles (26), and rebounds. While Sabonis was omitted from the All-Star Game, he should be a shoo-in for an All-NBA Team appearance and is on pace to finish top ten in MVP voting.

Some of the names directly ahead of Sabonis in the MVP straw poll include Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Edwards, and Jalen Brunson, each could be argued in favor of Sabonis. Sabonis' only fault in the MVP race is Sacramento's standing in the West, but the Kings are 44-31 and only one game behind the fifth-place Dallas Mavericks.

Sabonis has put together a historic season, and certainly one of the best in Sacramento history. His historic double-double streak and zero games missed build up his reputation as one of the best big men in today's league.

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