There are few players in the NBA who would feel bad about being traded from the Kings. Tyrese Haliburton was a rare exception.
Before his sophomore season even started, he showed a commitment to the organization and seemed dedicated to helping turn the direction of the struggling franchise.
Instead, the Kings traded him anyway for Domantas Sabonis. It’s a move that shocked everyone, apparently even Haliburon himself.
(via NBA Today)
“I got a call from my agent about 30 minutes before [the trade] and he said, ‘I think you might get traded,’” Haliburton said. “I thought it was a joke, if I’m being honest. Next thing I knew our GM called me 30 minutes later, he was like, ‘We’re trading you to Indiana.’ I was gone.”
“Yeah, to say the least,” Haliburton responded when asked if he was shocked about the news. “Absolutely had no indication or no idea that I was getting traded. My friends were messing with me like, ‘Are you scared for the deadline?’ I’m like, ‘I’m good.’”
In 109 games with the Kings, Tyrese showed flashes of stardom. He’s a quick and athletic guard with exceptional basketball instincts and a high maturity level. When De’Aaron Fox went down, he showed the Kings he was capable of running the show.
Ultimately, Sacramento decided there was only room for one star point guard, and they renewed their commitment to Fox instead of rolling the dice with Hali.
It might be a move they come to regret. Since arriving in Indiana, he is averaging 20.8 points and 11 assists per game on 48% shooting. Not bad for a guy who was betrayed by his former team just last week.
