Tyrese Haliburton stated the Detroit Pistons passing on him within the 2020 NBA Draft was the choice that felt “probably the most private,” largely as a result of he believed Detroit wanted some extent guard and anticipated to be chosen at No. 7.
Talking with Taylor Rooks, Haliburton defined that he entered the draft believing he was the most effective out there level guard after LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman have been taken with the primary three choices. Detroit as an alternative chosen Killian Hayes, leaving Haliburton shocked.
“With the Pistons, I knew they wanted some extent guard,” Haliburton stated. “In that second, I already felt like I used to be the most effective level guard within the draft. LaMelo was touted because the primary man, so he received drafted. And now I’m like, ‘Okay, it’s received to be me.’”
Haliburton stated he had different most popular locations, together with Golden State, Chicago and New York, however Detroit stood out due to its roster scenario. He additionally recalled asking Atlanta and Cleveland to not choose him as a result of the Hawks already had Trae Younger and the Cavaliers had Darius Garland.
“So with the Pistons, I’m like, ‘You want some extent guard, it’s received to be me,’” Haliburton stated. “Then I take a look at my agent behind the digicam and he provides me the look. Then it flashes up Killian Hayes, and I’m like, ‘What?!’”
The response was fast. “In that second, I used to be simply indignant,” Haliburton stated. “Like, what do you imply they want some extent guard they usually’re not choosing me?”
Haliburton in the end fell to Sacramento at No. 12 and spent his first 1½ seasons with the Kings earlier than being traded to Indiana in February 2022. Since becoming a member of the Pacers, he has developed right into a two-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA choice.
Throughout his first 5 NBA seasons, Haliburton averaged 17.5 factors, 8.8 assists and three.7 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per recreation whereas taking pictures 47.7% from the sphere, 39.2% from three-point vary and 85.5% from the free-throw line. His 8.8 assists per recreation rank among the many league’s prime playmaking manufacturing throughout that span.
The distinction with Hayes is central to the reminiscence. Hayes performed 214 video games for Detroit over 4 seasons, averaging 6.9 factors and 4.1 assists per recreation earlier than leaving the Pistons, whereas Haliburton turned one of many NBA’s premier offensive organizers.
For Haliburton, nonetheless, the 2020 choice stays memorable due to how strongly he believed Detroit’s wants aligned along with his personal analysis of his recreation.
“Of the groups that handed on you, was there one which felt probably the most private?” Rooks requested.
“For positive, Detroit. For positive, Detroit,” Haliburton replied.
