The Indiana Pacers, led by star guard Tyrese Haliburton, have shocked the basketball world with their run to the NBA Finals. The biggest storyline of Indiana’s playoff surge has been their repeated ability to rally from large deficits — including Thursday night’s 15-point comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Finals.
That rally ended with a game-winning jumper by Haliburton with 0.3 seconds remaining, giving the Pacers a 111–110 victory and a 1–0 series lead.
As Haliburton continues his rise to NBA stardom, his days with the Sacramento Kings feel like a distant memory. In 2022, the Kings dealt Haliburton — along with Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson — to the Pacers in exchange for Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday, and a 2023 second-round pick.
At the time, Sacramento was facing a logjam at point guard with Haliburton and then–one-time All-Star De’Aaron Fox. The team ultimately chose to keep Fox and move Haliburton.
Why Was Tyrese Haliburton the One Traded?
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Kings explored trades for Fox but found little interest across the league.
“But by the time 2022 came, when then–general manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox were looking for ways to turn their middling team into a playoff contender, Fox’s market value had plummeted to the point where Haliburton became the focal point of their rebuilding efforts,” Amick reported.
“League sources say the Kings explored trades involving Fox, who had recently signed a five-year, $160 million deal, but simply didn’t find a suitable return.”
Because of Fox’s declining trade value, Sacramento pivoted and made Haliburton the centerpiece of their package to Indiana.
“The discussions with the Pacers, league sources say, were two-pronged but quickly turned from Fox to Haliburton when it was clear that was the only real avenue to a deal,” Amick added.
Fox Thriving in San Antonio, But Haliburton Has the Spotlight
Fox has found success in his own right. He was named an All-Star in 2023 and was later traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal that included the Chicago Bulls before the 2025 trade deadline.
The Spurs received Fox and guard Jordan McLaughlin, while the Kings landed Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first-round picks, and three second-round picks. The Bulls acquired Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, and their own first-round pick from San Antonio.
Fox had a strong 2024–25 season, averaging 23.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. He now joins rising star Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio and figures to be a key piece of the Spurs’ future.
But for now, Haliburton holds center stage. He has led the Pacers to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000 and has a chance to deliver the franchise its first-ever championship. As Haliburton’s game continues to evolve under the playoff spotlight, the trade that once raised eyebrows may go down as one of the best moves in Pacers history.
