Tyrese Haliburton Says He Was ‘Distraught’ After Kings-Pacers Trade

The All-Star guard was sent to Indiana in 2022 for Domantas Sabonis.

February 8, 2022, was one of the biggest dates in recent history for both the Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers - the day of the Sabonis-Haliburton trade. Nearly two years later, fans still argue - who won the trade?

G Tyrese Haliburton was drafted with the 12th pick of the 2020 NBA draft by the Kings and was a regular starter until he was dealt to the Pacers in his sophomore year along with G Buddy Hield and F/C Tristan Thompson. In return, the Kings acquired All-Star C Domantas Sabonis, G Justin Holiday, G Jeremy Lamb, and a second-round pick. 

While both teams have massively benefitted from the trade, Haliburton was distraught initially, as he explained in a press conference before the Inaugural In-Season Tournament final (via ClutchPoints)

"Me, Buddy [Hield] and Tristan [Thompson], we got traded together. I was distraught on that plane ride cuz I was still like in shock and pissed and all that stuff... I had to listen to Tristan and Buddy telling me how bad the Kings messed up the whole time. I was like, can you… pic.twitter.com/6MCdjJtnMV

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 9, 2023

Haliburton had the following to say:

"Me, Buddy, and Tristan, we got traded together and I was distraught on that plane ride [because] I was still in shock and pissed and all that stuff. And so, while I was basically just sitting there scrolling on my phone with my head down I just had to listen to Tristan and Buddy tell me how bad the Kings messed up the whole time. I was like 'Can you guys just shut up? Like I just wanna get there'"

It is a hard thing for any player to get traded, especially in your sophomore season while at the trade deadline, so Tyrese's reaction is clearly understandable. However, the trade allowed both him and Kings G De'Aaron Fox to shine in their own light.

During the 2021-22 NBA season, Haliburton averaged 14.3 points, 7.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game in Sacramento. This season, he is averaging 26.9 points, a league-high 12.1 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. Tyrese is having an MVP candidate season so far and shining in every aspect. 

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle had the following to say about Haliburton when the trade happened (via NBA.com) 

“We’re getting three players who are good now and in the case of Tyrese, he has a chance to continue to grow. … Finding a franchise-caliber point guard at age 21 is extremely difficult to do.”

Fox also improved. During the 2021-22 NBA season, he averaged 23.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. This season, he is averaging 30.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. While Fox's stats may not jump off the page as much, he is having a phenomenal season as well and should undoubtedly be in MVP consideration. 

Sabonis also made an immediate impact on the Kings, being the anchor of the team and putting his body on the line every night for the Kings' fast-paced handoff offense. The All-Star big man is vital to the Kings offense and greatly improved the team, helping the Kings break a 16-year playoff drought last season. 

While fans will be in constant debate about who won the trade, the reality is both teams won. Neither team would be where they are today without the acquisition of such core players. Both teams are now consistent playoff contenders and threats to any NBA team. While many trades in the NBA are unfair, this might be one of the fairest there is. 

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