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Pacers missed golden opportunity to be part of awaited Netflix doc

By Elie Deglaoui

Oct 30, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle and guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) look on in the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle and guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) look on in the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Earlier in the year, news broke about an upcoming Netflix docuseries that would follow five NBA players during the 2023-24 season. The five players are LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, Jimmy Butler, and a familiar face to Indiana Pacers fans, Domantas Sabonis.

On Wednesday, we got an official first trailer for "Starting 5." The Netflix docuseries is officially set to debut on October 9, a little over a week after the beginning of training camp for most teams in the league.

During this docuseries, Pacers fans will likely have the most interest in following Sabonis' season. Sabonis spent parts of five seasons with the Pacers from 2017 to 2022. During that time, he was a two-time NBA All-Star and finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting for the 2018-19 season behind Lou Williams.

Ultimately, the Pacers traded Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton. By all accounts, this was a fantastic trade for the Pacers that is paying dividends even over two years later. Sabonis has been great for the Kings, but Haliburton has propelled the Pacers into title contention.

Last season was the most successful campaign the Pacers have had in many years. They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 10 years and are looking like one of the best young teams in the NBA.

However, many people want to see their favorite team pull back the curtain and give their fans a look at what goes on behind the scenes. Due to the decision to follow Sabonis for the docuseries, Pacers fans and the organization were robbed of the opportunity to be a part of what could become a historic documentary.

The Pacers missed out on a chance to be featured in Netflix's upcoming docuseries due to the Tyrese Haliburton and Domantas Sabonis trade

Watching a former Pacers fan favorite in Sabonis during this docuseries should still be fun for fans. However, it is obvious that there are other players fans would rather see instead.

Currently, it is unclear whether a second season of "Starting 5" is an option down the line. If it is, Haliburton is an obvious choice to be one of the subjects. The Wisconsin native is fresh off a career year and should only continue to get better. And especially after last season, he and the Pacers are quickly becoming must-see TV.

Regardless, Haliburton and the Pacers are in for what should be an exciting season next year, whether it is filmed for a docuseries or not.

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