Starts Last Season: 6
Minutes Per Game: 18.8
Projected Minutes Per Game: 20.4

After eight seasons of coming off the bench, Ian Mahinmi finally gets his chance to be the main man in the middle. Though it is believed that Mahinmi will split time with rookie center Myles Turner, he has firmly earned a role as a consistent player in the rotation.

Thanks to the arrival of Monta Ellis and the return of Paul George, Mahinmi won't have to worry about producing many points. Instead, he will be relied upon as a defensive-minded center much like his predecessor Roy Hibbert was. In six preseason games, Mahinmi averaged 7.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 20.7 minutes per contest.

Possessing soft hands and a big frame, Mahinmi is sneaky good around the hoop. He has a realistic opportunity to put up career bests this season playing in a smaller, faster system for the resurgent Pacers.