The Sacramento Kings made a blockbuster trade on Tuesday to acquire star big man Domantas Sabonis, but the reaction to the deal was not all positive. NBA fans and analysts were stunned that the Kings gave up Tyrese Haliburton, and those feelings were shared by the young point guard.
Haliburton was “shocked” when he learned he had been traded to the Indiana Pacers, according to ESPN’s Mark Jones.
Haliburton was “shocked” when informed of the deal by his representatives and then moments later by GM Monte McNair.
He’s packing his belongings and is heading to Indianapolis tomorrow.
The overriding impression with TeamHaliburton is that the Kings “really wanted Sabonis”
— MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) February 8, 2022
The Kings probably did not want to include Haliburton in the deal, but they obviously really wanted Sabonis. It’s unlikely that the Pacers would have accepted the trade without Haliburton in it.
Haliburton is averaging 14.3 points and 7.4 assists per game in his second NBA season. He has made over 40 percent of his three-point attempts this season and is still just 21. His ceiling seems quite high, which is why no one expected the Kings to deal him.
Photo: Jan 31, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) dribbles up court against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
