When I thought about the NBA trade deadline, I thought everyone on the Kings was available on the market. Except for Tyrese Haliburton.
While I wrote about De’Aaron Fox as a potential trade target, I never thought Sacramento would have punted on their 21-year-old combo guard. The former Iowa State standout, who was a lottery pick in the 2020 NBA draft, would likely go no lower than the No. 4 overall pick if there were a redraft.
It feels like the Indiana Pacers made out like bandits in this deal, but let’s quickly take a look at some of the most surprising elements of just how good of a player Haliburton has been in his professional career thus far:
1
Haliburton is currently the only NBA player to ever average at least 14.0 points and 7.0 assists per game while also shooting better than 40.0% on 3-pointers before turning 22 years old. Sacramento had an incredibly unique young player on its roster in Haliburton, who is not only a good scorer and shooter but a great playmaker as well.
2
When looking at career average over the course of their first two seasons in the league, the only other player to average 13.0 points and 5.0 assists per game while also shooting 40.0% on 3-pointers is Stephen Curry. When the dust settles on this one, it’s unlikely Haliburton is able to achieve what Curry has accomplished. But to start off your career with that level of productivity is awfully promising.
3
While I’m not saying he was the next Stephen Curry, he is already doing things at Curry-level efficiency. Haliburton is averaging 1.1 points per possession on jumpers off the dribble, per Synergy. Among the 39 players who have had at least 200 attempts on these looks so far this season, the only players more efficient than Haliburton are Stephen Curry and, weirdly, Seth Curry.
4
When including passes, per Synergy, the only players in the Western Conference who have generated more points out of the pick and roll this season are Chris Paul, Luka Doncic, and Dejounte Murray. All three are on the All-Star team this season. It would be surprising if Haliburton does not soon join them.
