Tyrese Haliburton had the kind of wedding entertainment story that only gets better the more he tells it.
During a recent appearance on Boardroom Talks with Speedy Morant, the Indiana Pacers star opened up about trying to line up live music for his wedding to longtime girlfriend Jade - and about one artist’s price tag that stopped him cold.
Haliburton said he went into the conversation expecting a big number, just not one that high.
“I’m thinking if they say a number, it won’t be that crazy,” Haliburton said.
Instead of walking away right then, he tried to make it work. Haliburton said he offered to pay for the artist’s private flight and accommodations if they would perform at the wedding. That still wasn’t enough to get it done.
The price was so far off what Haliburton expected that he said the artist was out of his rotation for good.
“It’s over with. I’ll never rock with him again,” Haliburton said. “I can’t bump him out of respect.”
Haliburton did end up landing a major name for the reception. 50 Cent, whose Spire Spirits brand has a partnership with the Pacers, surprised the couple by performing at the wedding. Haliburton said 50 Cent didn’t charge him for the show itself, and that he only had to cover travel and accommodations.
That surprise turned into one of the biggest viral moments from the wedding, with Haliburton eventually joining 50 Cent on stage and rapping along during the performance.
The Pacers guard could have afforded plenty more. He signed a maximum contract extension worth over $200 million with Indiana, so an expensive entertainment bill would not have been out of reach.
Haliburton also said he reached out to Usher and Ne-Yo about performing at the reception, but neither was available. He made clear, though, that those two were not the artists he was talking about when he said he no longer listens to someone’s music.
In Other News...
Pacers Bring Back James Johnson But His Role Just Got Interesting
James Johnson is back with the Pacers, at least for the start of training camp, on an Exhibit-9 deal after recently working with the team in Nashville during players-only workouts. It is a familiar arrangement for Indiana, which has leaned on Johnsons veteran presence before and values the leadership and mentorship he has provided since first joining the club in 2022.
The part worth watching now is what comes next, because the salary cap picture makes it unlikely he is still around when the regular season opens. Even so, Johnsons return gives the Pacers another steady voice in camp, and those short-term roles can matter just as much as the headline roster spots when a team is trying to set its tone. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Suddenly Look Like A Fascinating Fit For T.J. Shannon Jr
T.J. Shannon Jr. has emerged as an interesting name in the conversation around the Pacers, and it is easy to see why. His style of play lines up with what Indiana tends to value, and the idea of adding another versatile piece to the mix comes at a time when the front office is clearly weighing how any move would fit both the roster and the books.
The catch is that this is not the kind of straightforward deal that gets done quickly. Minnesotas roster changes have altered the backdrop, and any path to Shannon would likely require more moving parts than a simple swap, with a three-team arrangement among the possibilities. For Indiana, the appeal is obvious, but so is the complication created by salary considerations and the need to make the math work. [Read more 🡒]
Buddy Hields Latest Move Will Hit Pacers Fans A Little Differently
Buddy Hield is on the move again, and this one will land a little differently for Pacers fans who remember his time in Indianapolis. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Hawks have traded Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash to the Hornets for Dorian Finney-Smith as part of the late offseason shuffle ahead of the 2026-27 season.
For Indiana, it is another reminder of how quickly the league turns over once a familiar face leaves town. Hield has bounced through multiple teams since his Pacers stint and is expected to fit into Charlotte's rotation, but his latest stop also keeps him in the mix of a trade market that has stayed active deep into the offseason. [Read more 🡒]