Tyrese Haliburton was sent to the Sacramento Kings by the Indiana Pacers in February 2022 in exchange for Domantas Sabonis, who was then a two-time All-Star. After more than two years, it is reasonable to conclude that the agreement benefited both clubs.

With Sabonis, who placed in the top 10 players for MVP awards during his two full seasons with the franchise, and guard De’Aaron Fox, the Kings have a strong tandem. They also want to return to the postseason after acquiring DeMar DeRozan, a former star of the Chicago Bulls, this offseason.

The Pacers have performed admirably ever since they acquired Haliburton. Since joining the organization, the Wisconsin native has established himself as one of the top young guards in the NBA. He is the current assists leader, a two-time All-Star, and a one-time selection to the All-NBA Third Team over the past two seasons.

In addition, Haliburton is still improving after competing for Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where he now holds an Olympic gold medal.

Haliburton assisted the Pacers in making their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2014. The Pacers’ prospects are endless under the 24-year-old’s leadership as they get closer to being a real contender for the championship.

It is difficult to argue that the Pacers have not fared better in this transaction, even though the Kings have benefited greatly. And based on a recent Bleacher Report story, it appears that author Greg Swartz shares this opinion.

The Pacers receive an A+ from Bleacher Report for the Haliburton deal.

Swartz expressed what most people are thinking in a re-grade of the trade: “This is a rare blockbuster that’s a win for both parties.” He did, however, grade the Kings a “A” and the Pacers a “A+.”

For the Pacers, Swartz awarded a little higher score because, in his words, “Haliburton is the best player in the deal.” While Sabonis has excelled in Sacramento, Haliburton has become better each year and has contributed to his team’s early victories. After having the best season of his career, he has the potential to become one of the league’s top guards, if he isn’t already.

It was difficult to let go of Sabonis, who spent portions of five seasons with the Pacers. But now that we have this knowledge, the squad would execute this transaction ten times out of ten with ease.

The four Pacers ready to provide Tyrese Haliburton the greatest assistance.

Having a strong combination has aided several league championship teams. Every Batman has a Robin.

The Chicago Bulls, for example, included both Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan. Karl Malone and John Stockton were two of their rivals from the Utah Jazz, who faced them in the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were the dynamic pair that led the Los Angeles Lakers for many years. Recently, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown helped the Boston Celtics win another NBA championship.

Tyrese Haliburton became the Indiana Pacers’ Bruce Wayne last year, more than any other. Who on the squad is Dick Grayson, though?

Although there are capable players on the roster who can run the floor and light up the scoreboard, who will be the clear-cut backup?

1. Pascal Siakam
It’s difficult to believe Siakam’s name isn’t mentioned after the team re-signs a veteran with playoff and championship experience. Just after signing a $188 million, four-year contract, the

In a mid-season trade, the Pacers acquired the former Toronto Raptor. With the Pacers, Siakam tied his all-time best field goal average of 54.9% and set career highs in three-point field goal percentage (38.6%).

With an average of just 1.4 turnovers per game, Siakam’s offensive efficiency increased even more. Since he started playing regularly in the league, this is the lowest point in his career. With respect to points per game (21.7), rebounds (7.1), and field goal percentage (53.6%), the eight-year veteran was among the top 35 players in the NBA.

The Cameroonian center forward played two away games against Milwaukee to make his Pacers playoff debut. Siakam recorded at least 36 points and at least 11 rebounds in both games. In the end, he came up just short of two more double-doubles in the home games against Indianapolis in Games 3 and 4.

Siakam recorded two double-doubles in the four-game series despite the Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Boston Celtics. He scored 24 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out seven assists in Game 1. In Game 4, he scored 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

Haliburton and Siakam discovered ways to light up the scoreboard, including running the pick and roll, setting each other up for a jumper behind the arc, or connecting with one another on a fast break. Siakam is an excellent companion for the Pacers’ All-Star point guard, despite being older and taller than Haliburton.

2. Turner, Myles
Turner was the Pacers’ starting big man prior to the arrival of his colleague in February. The former University of Texas Longhorn made a significant contribution for Indiana, even though his stats weren’t as impressive as Siakam’s.

His 6.9 rebounds placed him 38th overall in the NBA, and his 17.1 points placed him 57th in the league. Turner was a proficient shooter as well, hitting 52.4% of his field goals.

Turner recorded two double-doubles against Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals, much like Siakam did. He had 23 points and 10 rebounds in the first game. In Game 3, he scored 22 points and pulled down an equal number of rebounds.

For the Pacers, Turner was not as reliable as Siakam was. Siakam only managed eight points and four rebounds in each of the other two games he played against the Celtics.

Turner struggled in the first-round closeout game against the Bucks, finishing with just five points and five rebounds. It was also the third game in the series in which he had four or more fouls.
Turner committed six fouls in multiple games during the first In-Season Tournament, but he also showed discipline on defense by seldom fouling out.

Even though Turner may not quite be “Robin,” Haliburton can still count on the 28-year-old center to do the job most nights. However, being yet another superhero for the Pacers is still a commendable accomplishment.

3. Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin
Last season, Bennedict Mathurin’s injury ended his year. The last time the second-year player played for the Pacers was on March 5th against Dallas.

Mathurin scored 14.5 points per game on average before he was injured. Mathurin did, however, score more than 25 points in a game at least eight times, despite having a lesser average than Siakam and Turner.

On December 18, he recorded his highest point total of 34 against the Los Angeles Clippers. In a game against the Toronto Raptors on February 26, Mathurin equaled that total.

Last season, Mathurin shot the ball more accurately from behind the arc by a margin of over 5%. In addition, he managed to decrease his turnover average and raise his average of assists.

Given Indiana’s depth on the team, his loss was noticed but not as much. Rick Carlisle, the head coach, had many choices.

Andrew Nembhard, a fellow Canadian, was one option. The third-year combo guard, who turns 25 in the middle of the season, is an above-35% shooter from beyond the arc.

Nembhard performed admirably in his two away Eastern Conference openers. He went out as the series returned from Boston to Indiana.

He made 57.1% of his shots from behind the arc and the floor in Game 3. Nembhard finished with four rebounds, nine assists, and 32 points. He scored 24 more points and dished out 10 assists for a double-double in Game 4. Six boards with one steal and one block were also added by him.

Nembhard finished the regular season with at least 15 points and five assists in the last game of January. During this time, he scored 22 points, his season high, as the Pacers defeated the Phoenix Suns 133-131.

On the court, either Canadian would be an excellent running partner for Haliburton. In the next NBA season, it’s feasible that one or both of them break out and have a breakout year for the Pacers. That could be what’s needed to get Haliburton and company to the NBA Finals and an NBA championship.