The pain of Kings fans watching Tyrese Haliburton become a NBA superstar | Opinion
The match-up in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks embodies the magic of sports for several reasons that begin and end with one name: Tyrese Hailburton.
Kings fans know the significance of that name, and so did I as a new Sacramentan. Or at least I thought I knew until the Pacers’ wonder guard taught me something about the pain of being a Kings fan and the magic of sports.
This allure of pain and magic within the sports we love was enough to make me forget about the A’s game I was attending at Sutter Health Park on Wednesday, between the A’s and the Los Angeles Angels
My friends and I came across a lovely gentleman at the A’s game who was watching Pacers-Knicks, a bitter rivalry going back years, on his iPhone.
It was from a bench at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento where we watched one of the best playoff games in all the years I’ve been an NBA fan.
The more we cheered, clapped and booed, the more eyes started to look at us. People walking by took a glance, asked what the score was and went on their way.
Every other person who walked by couldn’t help but sigh and say with immense sadness, “Man, I can’t believe the Kings traded away Tyrese Haliburton.” This sentiment can be shared by every Kings fan in Sacramento.
Selected by the Kings in the 2020 NBA draft, Haliburton played one memorable season with the Kings before being traded in 2022 to the Indiana Pacers as part of a trade package for Domantas Sabonis.
He then emerged as a prolific scorer and main piece for the Pacers. He earned back-to-back East All-Star selections, being named to the All-Star team as a reserve in 2023 and as a starter in 2024.
I was not a Kings fans back then but even I could feel the frustration coming off of every person walking by appalled by the display of pure basketball brilliance by Haliburton. He ended the game with 31 points and 11 assists.
‘If only Haliburton was still on the Kings’
The Pacers star is rising to another level on the biggest stage and in one of the biggest venue in sports, Madison Square Garden.
After coming back from a 17 point deficit, the Pacers were down by two with seconds left. Haliburton took the ball down the court and made a game tying shot that could’ve won the game if not for his foot being on the three point line.
It’s safe to say that the Kings lost this trade. Sabonis is a very good player but his latest season has proved that he needs a traditional point guard to be successful. Haliburton is a game-winning shot making star that can put a team on his back.
If Kings could learn anything it’s that you don’t trade a young player that only has two years under their belt. The Pacers did not make Haliburton who he is. His star just so happened to ascend in Indiana.
Be smart next time, Kings. Fans might not be able to stomach another Haliburton-type situation.
This story was originally published May 22, 2025 at 11:59 AM.
