Indiana Pacers: Ranking the 5 best trades in franchise history

1. The Indiana Pacers acquire Tyrese Haliburton, who has the potential to be their best player ever

Is this an overreaction? Possibly. But given the way that Tyrese Haliburton is playing there is a serious possibility he could go down as one of the best Pacers players ever. Time will tell what the Pacers can turn Hield into, this trade could look even better if the Pacers can acquire a 1st round pick in return for Buddy Hield.

Haliburton was a player that slipped on draft night, falling below where many had thought his true value was. He was drafted to a team, the Sacramento Kings, that already had a high-usage star point guard in De’Aaron Fox. Because of this Haliburton didn’t necessarily get the floor time he needed to show how good of a player he could be. However the secret seems to be out, in that while in Indiana, Haliburton is showing signs of being a perennial All-Star and All-NBA selection.

Currently, in the 22-23 season, he is averaging the following stat line: 21.6 PPG, 4.6 REB, 9.9 AST, and a 25.0 PER. His shooting percentages are 45% from deep and 50% field goal percentage. His effective field goal percentage is nearly 61%. Haliburton is certainly playing at an All-Star already.

The catch? He’s only 22. Generational guards don’t just become available, especially on Rookie-scale contracts when they are so long. This ranking is projecting that Haliburton will become everything he can become, which is an all-time-level point guard.

But that’s what being a Pacers fan is right? Always hopefully looking to the future.