Tyrese Haliburton has blossomed into one of the NBA’s premier playmakers since arriving in Indiana, but according to his peers, not everyone is buying the hype.
In The Athletic’s annual anonymous player poll, Haliburton was named the most overrated player in the league for the 2024-25 season, drawing 14.4 percent of the vote. That placed him ahead of perennial targets Rudy Gobert and Trae Young in a ranking that often stirs controversy.
What’s puzzling is that Haliburton’s production, efficiency, and leadership have been difficult to dispute. This season, he averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from beyond the arc.
He’s consistently ranked among the league’s assist leaders over the past three to four years and has been the engine behind one of the NBA’s most potent offenses. For most fans and analysts, that resume screams All-NBA talent, not “overrated.”
Perhaps the backlash is tied to the five-year, $245 million supermax extension he signed with the Pacers, a deal some players might view as excessive.
But Haliburton met the criteria to earn that contract. He was an All-NBA selection and has emerged as a franchise cornerstone for Indiana. By the league’s own rules, his deal is fully justified. The criticism, then, might reflect more on perception than performance.
What’s particularly surprising is that Haliburton’s team success has also validated his stature. In his lone postseason run to date, Haliburton led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals before falling to the Boston Celtics.
Yes, they were swept, but Indiana’s deep playoff push was unexpected, and Haliburton’s floor leadership and playmaking were central to that run. It was a critical milestone in proving he could elevate a team in the postseason, a bar many stars struggle to meet.
While his numbers dipped slightly this season and he missed the All-Star Game for the first time since joining Indiana, it’s difficult to argue he’s regressed in any meaningful way.
Injuries and rotational adjustments impacted his rhythm, but Haliburton remained one of the league’s top facilitators and helped guide the Indiana Pacers back into playoff contention in a competitive Eastern Conference with the 4th seed and a record of 50-32.
The Athletic did not include any direct quotes from players explaining why they voted for Haliburton, leaving the reasons open to speculation. Perhaps some players see him as a “system guy” who benefits from Rick Carlisle’s fast-paced offense.
Others might be reacting to the media praise and commercial endorsements Haliburton has begun to receive as his stardom grows.
Still, it’s worth asking: what more does Haliburton need to do to earn full respect? His passing vision is elite, his shooting efficiency is strong, and he’s embraced leadership on a young, rising team. Maybe the tag of “overrated” reflects envy more than evaluation.
At just 25 years old and locked in long-term with Indiana, Haliburton has plenty of time to silence doubters. But if this poll shows anything, it’s that no matter how efficient or productive a player is, NBA peers can be just as unforgiving as fans.
