Tyrese Haliburton is still replaying the day he found out he was headed to Indiana, and one part of that story stands out even more than the trade itself: Adrian Wojnarowski was already on the line.
Haliburton recently described the moment the news started to come together, saying, “And then I got another call, and it was like, now it was both of my agents, and they were like, and I was like, who is it? And then Woj on the phone.
I don't know how he got like, cause I don't know how he was on the phone,” Haliburton said. “He goes, I think it's Indiana.
I'm like, who the [expletive] is Indiana? I'm like, I think it's Indiana.
And I'm like, then I'm like, oh, after I process that Woj on the phone, I said, Indiana for who? Cause I didn't even know.
And they were like, Sabonis. And I was like, oh, word.’”
That trade from Sacramento to Indiana ended up reshaping the Pacers. Haliburton became the point guard who helped change the franchise’s direction, while the Kings have continued to search for success.
The move also came before a rough stretch for Indiana. Haliburton missed all of last season while recovering from the Achilles tear he suffered in the NBA Finals two seasons ago, and the Pacers felt the absence. They finished 19-63 and No. 14 in the Eastern Conference standings.
Now, the outlook is supposed to look different. With Haliburton healthy again and Ivica Zubac added at the trade deadline last season, the Pacers are expected to be better this upcoming season.
In Other News...
Pacers Just Cleared The Path For A Backcourt Move Fans Wanted
The Pacers opened up some breathing room on the back end of the roster when they waived guard Ethan Thompson on Aug. 14, a move that created a two-way spot and put one more piece of offseason business in motion. Thompson has since landed with KK Partizan of the EuroLeague on a two-year contract, leaving Indiana with a clearer picture of how it wants to shape the guard mix heading into camp and beyond.
What makes the move noteworthy is the timing. Indiana has roster and salary cap flexibility to keep in mind if it wants to chase veteran help later in the season, so every two-way decision carries a little extra weight. The expectation now is that Braden Smith will fill that opening on a two-way deal, which would give the Pacers another young backcourt option while they continue managing the bigger picture. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Still Have One Roster Need That Could Raise Their Ceiling
The Pacers have built one of the leagues most dangerous offenses around Tyrese Haliburton, and the talent around him gives Indiana plenty of reasons to believe it can keep pushing higher. But even with Aaron Nesmith and Ben Sheppard offering useful perimeter defense, the roster still lacks the kind of true stopper who can take the nights toughest assignment and let everyone else settle into cleaner roles.
For a team trying to raise its ceiling, that missing piece matters. Indiana may have to find it through a trade or in free agency, though the path is not simple with financial limits and limited assets to work with. Even so, the need is clear enough that it could shape how the Pacers approach the rest of the offseason. [Read more 🡒]