Pacers fans will be happy with latest re-grade of the Tyrese Haliburton trade

In February 2022, the Indiana Pacers traded then two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton. Over two years later, and it is fair to say both teams benefited from the deal.

The Kings have a solid duo with Sabonis, who finished top-10 in MVP voting in two full seasons with the team, and guard De'Aaron Fox. Additionally, they acquired former Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan this offseason and are looking to get back to the postseason once again.

As for the Pacers, they have excelled since acquiring Haliburton. The Wisconsin native has emerged as one of the NBA's best young guards since joining the team. In the last two seasons, he is a two-time All-Star, a one-time All-NBA Third Team selection, and is the reigning assists leader.

Additionally, Haliburton is now an Olympic gold medalist after playing for Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics, and he is only getting better.

Last season, Haliburton helped lead the Pacers to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014. With the 24-year-old at the helm, the sky is the limit for the Pacers as they inch closer to legitimate title contention.

While the Kings have made out well in this trade, it is tough to say the Pacers have not fared better. And it seems that writer Greg Swartz agrees with this sentiment, according to a recent Bleacher Report article.

Bleacher Report gives the Pacers an A+ for the Haliburton trade

In a re-grade of the trade, Swartz said what most people are thinking: "This is a rare blockbuster that's a win for both parties." However, he gave the Pacers an "A+" grade while giving the Kings an "A."

Swartz gave the Pacers the slightly higher grade because, as he puts it, "Haliburton is the best player in the deal." While Sabonis has been fantastic in Sacramento, Haliburton has improved every year and has helped his team win more right away. He is fresh off the best season of his career and can blossom into one of the best guards in the league if he is not already there.

Moving on from Sabonis, who had been with the Pacers for parts of five seasons, was tough. However, knowing what we know now, the team would easily do this trade 10 times out of 10.