What was the Tyrese Haliburton trade?

Tyrese Haliburton is a prolific floor general point guard who plays for the Indiana Pacers.

Hailing from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Haliburton first came to prominence at Oshkosh North High School at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Despite earning accolades such as the Oshkosh Northwestern All-Area Player of the Year and Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year, he entered the college basketball scene as a 3-star recruit.

During his two-year stint at Iowa State, Halliburton developed into an all-around point guard who can distribute the ball and score at will. He achieved the first triple-double by an Iowa State player since Monte Morris in 2016. By the end of second year in college, Haliburton was already a lottery prospect as scouts hailed his decision making. In the 2020 NBA draft, Sacramento Kings selected Haliburton with the 12th overall pick.

Halliburton’s game is characterized by an immensely high basketball IQ, and an uncanny ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates seemingly out of thin air. His elite ball-handling skills, coupled with a remarkably low turnover rate, makes him a true “point god” level point guard. While his shooting style may be unconventional, it undeniably works.

With averages of 20.1 points per game and 10.9 assists per game, in the 2023/24 NBA season, Haliburton has firmly established himself as one of the league's best young point guards.

Tyrese Haliburton Trade

On February 8, 2022, Sacramento Kings traded away their promising young guard, Tyrese Haliburton, to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the formidable Domantas Sabonis. This trade raised eyebrows initially, after almost two years into this blockbuster trade, it can be said that the "Haliburton-Sabonis Trade" redefined the trajectories of both the franchises for better.

As the trade happened, many questioned the Kings' decision to part ways with Haliburton, a young guard who had future All-Star potential. However, the move proved to be a catalyst for positive change. With Sabonis joining the Kings' roster, the franchise finally snapped a playoff drought that had haunted them for 16 seasons.

On the other hand, Tyrese Haliburton found himself in a situation that is perfect for his personal and professional growth. At Sacramento, Haliburto had to share the backcourt with another prolific guard De'Aaron Fox. While the “Hali-Fox” duo yielded victories, it fell short of playoff aspirations. Recognizing that they need to bring a forward or center to pair with Fox, Sacramento Kings made the bold decision to send Haliburton to the Pacers.

In Indiana, Haliburton received the keys to the Pacers' offense, emerging as the leader of a young and dynamic team. Haliburton didn't have to share ball-handling duties with anyone, there was no-more of Fox’s shadow. In this new challenge, Haliburton flourished, showcasing a level of dominance that now hints at a bright future.

As the dust settled, what was initially met with skepticism has now evolved into one of the most celebrated "win-win" trades in recent memory. The Pacers, now led by a thriving Haliburton, has found renewed vigor and optimism for the future. On the other side, the Kings, fortified by the “Sabonis-Fox” duo, not only broke their playoff drought but also instilled a renewed sense of hope and competitiveness.

The Haliburton-Sabonis Trade is a testament to the strategic foresight and bold decision-making that can reshape the fortunes of NBA franchises.

Who got traded for Tyrese Haliburton?

Tyrese Haliburton was traded for a package that included:

Domantas Sabonis: A two-time All-Star, known for his rebounding prowess, ball-handling skills as a big man, and dominance in the post.

Jeremy Lamb: A veteran two-way guard, often played as an off-the-bench role player, likely included in the trade for salary matching purposes.

Justin Holiday: Another veteran two-way wing, was part of the trade for salary matching purposes.

A protected 2023 second-round pick: Included in the trade to sweeten the deal for the Sacramento Kings, providing a future asset.

In return for Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers received:

Tyrese Haliburton: A young and talented floor general with great basketball IQ who had superstar potential.

Buddy Hield: Recognized for his exceptional 3-point shooting abilities, likely included in the trade for salary matching purposes.

Tristan Thompson: A seasoned veteran, brought in to balance salaries.

Tyrese Haliburton Contract

Tyrese Haliburton will earn $5,808,435 for the 2023/2024 season, according to Spotrac.

This is the last season of Haliburton's rookie contract. Haliburton's extraordinary performances are recognized by the Indiana Pacers franchise and they have already signed him to a lucrative five-year max rookie extension deal worth a staggering $205,900,000.