Tyrese Haliburton almost delivered an NBA championship to the Indiana Pacers in 2025.
What happened with the Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton?
The Indiana Pacers traded for Tyrese Haliburton in 2022, turning him into the franchise cornerstone they’d lacked for years. That gamble paid off when Haliburton pushed Indiana to within one win of an NBA title in 2025. Then disaster struck: he tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals. The Pacers lost the series, and Haliburton missed all of the 2025-26 season while rehabbing the injury. Now fully recovered, he’s back on the court and Indiana is again a title contender.
Why the Bulls passing on Haliburton matters
Chicago nearly drafted Tyrese Haliburton fourth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Multiple executives inside the Bulls’ organization pushed for him, but GM Arturas Karnisovas and executive Marc Eversley chose Patrick Williams instead. The scouts argued Haliburton’s jumper and efficiency outweighed his flaws. Instead of Haliburton, Chicago got a player averaging nine points over six seasons. Haliburton became an All-NBA talent and a top-10 NBA player. Had Chicago taken Haliburton, the Pacers likely never land him via trade.
What comes next for Haliburton and the Pacers?
Indiana expects to contend for a championship in 2026 with Haliburton healthy. Last season, without him, the Pacers ranked third-worst in offense. His return should unlock easier shots through his elite passing and pull-up shooting. The Pacers believe his presence alone vaults them back to the top of the Eastern Conference. The only question: can Haliburton shake off the rust and the lingering effects of a devastating injury?
How Haliburton’s career path changed the Pacers
The Pacers’ 2022 trade for Haliburton reset their franchise. He delivered a Finals run in 2025 before the Achilles injury. Now he’s back, and the Pacers are betting he can finish what he started. If he bounces back, Indiana’s championship window stays wide open.