Rising NBA star Tyrese Haliburton has been hard at work this offseason recruiting some of the best players in the world to join the Indiana Pacers. Contrary to the recent rumblings out of the Team USA locker room, Haliburton is set on bringing people to the Pacers rather than following another star someplace else.
“I think that was a ploy by the media but we’re totally fine,” said Tyrese on the Pat McAfee Show. “I’m not going anywhere. So if they want to play with me, they’d have to come here.”
"I'm not going anywhere..
I'm good in Indy" ~ @TyHaliburton22 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/uHOW8UnANb
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 11, 2024
Haliburton’s loyalties have been a hot subject lately after the recent comments made by former NBA point guard Stephon Marbury. He called out Tyrese by name as someone who would make a good fit for the Phoenix Suns, who already have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
It didn’t help that Haliburton spent quality time with both Booker and Durant this summer on Team USA for the Paris Olympics. Tyrese later admitted publicly that he was talking to every player he could about potentially teaming up and he had plenty of time to make his pitch.
For most fans, it’s hard to imagine a star of Haliburton’s caliber wanting to stay on a team like the Pacers. Indianapolis is one of the least desirable NBA cities and the franchise isn’t known for being particularly glamorous or prestigious. We all saw how Paul George forced his way out years ago in an ugly charade and they’ve hardly been relevant since.
With Haliburton, however, things are different. Since landing with the Pacers in 2022 (as part of amid-season trade with the Kings) Tyrese has embraced the franchise and his role as its new leader. Not only has his game delivered at an impressive level (20.1 points and 10.9 assists last season) but he’s taken the Pacers further than they’ve been in years.
Last season, with Hali at the helm, along with Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner, the Pacers finished 6th in the East with 47 wins. They beat the Bucks and Knicks in shocking upsets to make the Eastern Finals. They gave the Celtics their toughest fight of the playoffs before losing the series in four games.
Going into next season, expectations are somewhat mixed for the Pacers but they have time to improve their standing. After signing a five-year, $244 million contract Tyrese is locked in for the foreseeable future and it’s clear by his own words that he’s committed to building something special on the franchise.
With Pascal Siakam at his side, the Pacers are poised for a leap next season but it will take more for them to go all the way. Whether it’s via trade or free agency, the Pacers need more talent if they want to maximize their odds in the East and put Haliburton in the kind of competitive environment that he deserves.
It remains to be seen when/if the Pacers can add more firepower to the rotation but Haliburton is already doing everything in his power to make the franchise a young dynasty in the East. Clearly, when you look at the strength of their biggest challengers, they still have a long way to go.
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