Haliburton says Kings ‘didn’t want me,’ but that’s not why they traded him for Sabonis
The fact that the Kings could trade second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton for two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis is a testament to his reputation as one of the most promising young players in the league, but that’s not how he feels about it.
Haliburton was asked about the trade in Indianapolis on Thursday, 48 hours after the Kings sent him, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Sabonis, Justin Holiday and Jeremy Lamb. Haliburton was hurt, saying he felt the Kings “got rid” of him.
“They didn’t want me,” Haliburton told the Indianapolis Star. “They went a different direction and it’s part of the business, so it happens. I’m just excited to be here, excited to get going.”
Haliburton said the Kings gave him no indication he might be traded until 30 minutes before the trade was completed. He elaborated on his feelings when asked if it would be difficult to “buy in” to another organization after the Kings traded him away.
“That’s a great question,” Haliburton said. “I think it’s scary, right? I put a lot of love, a lot of trust in Sacramento, and kind of immersed myself in the community and with the people, and they just got rid of me, but that’s part of the business. … It hurt when I got traded because I loved being there and I loved the people, but coming here, I’m going to do the same thing. They’ve shown me nothing but love since I’ve gotten here and they’re another organization taking a chance on me when they have no reason to, so I’m going to put everything I’ve got into this.”
Kings general manager Monte McNair was under immense pressure to make a big move to improve the roster after 15 consecutive losing seasons in Sacramento. He entered the season with a full war chest and his sights set on one of the best players available on the trade market. When the market took shape, it became clear that trading Haliburton was the only path to acquiring a player like Sabonis, who was No. 3 on The Athletic’s 2022 NBA Trade Deadline Big Board behind Ben Simmons and Bradley Beal.
The Kings stayed in the Simmons sweepstakes as long as they could, but McNair pulled out of those talks and moved on to his next target when Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey refused to lower his asking price. Philadelphia ended up trading Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal for James Harden on Thursday.
The Kings reluctantly considered trading De’Aaron Fox instead, but rival executives were more enamored with Haliburton, a 2021 Rookie of the Year finalist. That was partly due to a dip in Fox’s production and efficiency this season, but money was a huge factor. Fox is in the first year of a five-year, $163 million max deal that will increase from $30.4 million next season to $37.1 million in 2025-26. Haliburton, who came out of Iowa State as the No. 12 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, has a team-friendly rookie-scale contract that will pay him $4.2 million next season and $5.8 million in 2023-24.
The decision to trade Haliburton might have been the most difficult choice McNair has ever had to make. In the end, the Kings felt they had to seize the opportunity to acquire Sabonis, a gifted 25-year-old big man who has already made two All-Star appearances. Because Haliburton is so highly regarded, the Kings even managed to make the deal without giving up any draft picks.
The move still came as a shock to Haliburton, who vowed to change the organization’s losing culture following Sacramento’s 128-75 loss to the Boston Celtics on Jan. 25.
“I’m here to help us win,” Haliburton said. “Obviously, the Kings haven’t won in the past, haven’t been to the playoffs in 15 years, but I refuse to let the culture the Kings have been in the past take over who I am as a person. … I am going to help fix this. I don’t know how long it’s going to take. It ain’t gonna be in a day. It ain’t gonna be in a month, but I’m going to be here and we’re going to make it work. I promise that.”
Haliburton reached out to Kings fans on social media after the trade was announced.
“Sacramento, I love y’all!” Haliburton tweeted. “Can’t put all my feelings into words yet, but know I’m forever grateful and appreciative of each and every one of you.”
This story was originally published February 11, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
