The Indiana Pacers have been one of the most disappointing teams all season, currently sitting at a 19-36 record. Just two years removed from being a top team in the Eastern Conference, they find themselves on the outside of the play-in tournament looking in.
It is clear that the Pacers needed a full rebuild going forward after trading young shooting guard Caris LeVert to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and it appears that is exactly what they had in mind.
Reports came out Tuesday that the Indiana Pacers and the Sacramento Kings have agreed to a deal involving star forward Domantas Sabonis. The Kings will receive Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, and Justin Holiday and a second-round pick while the Pacers will receive Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristian Thompson.
Jeremy Lamb AND Justin Holiday. https://t.co/0GbRwKcRBP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022
The Pacers are including a 2027 second-round pick in the deal to the Kings, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022
Sabonis is undoubtedly the biggest piece of this trade, averaging 18.9 points per game with over 12 rebounds per game this season, but the Pacers got a great haul in return headlined by young point guard Tyrese Haliburton along with Buddy Hield.
Here are some reactions around the NBA world on arguably the biggest trade so far this NBA season.
Hailburton and Duarte are going to one hell of a back court!!! Carry on… https://t.co/lWTgyNviyX
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 8, 2022
My head just exploded there are chunks everywhere send help https://t.co/Abf5DJQPl2
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 8, 2022
Actually stunned. https://t.co/rDazPKD0b8
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) February 8, 2022
The Kings had a number of excellent guards on their roster with Haliburton, DeAaron Fox, and rookie point guard Davion Mitchell. Rumors were that either Fox or Haliburton would be traded, but many believe that the Kings traded the wrong player.
I love the Kings getting Sabonis, I HATE them trading Haliburton. I’m honestly in shock…
How do you choose Fox over Haliburton??? https://t.co/X1UlF5VOmf
— Josh Eberley🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 8, 2022
Excuse me, does that say Tyrese Halliburton?? https://t.co/QUvZCj1w3F pic.twitter.com/M9SAaZxDeQ
— Kazeem Famuyide (@Kazeem) February 8, 2022
The Kings just picked Monta Ellis over Steph Curry https://t.co/rEL1VDYTre
— Max Lederman (@Max_Lederman) February 8, 2022
Trading Haliburton feels like a mistake https://t.co/AUgKmttORJ
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) February 8, 2022
While neither team is a contender, this trade will greatly impact both rosters for years to come. The Pacers finally someone got who can be their future point guard in Haliburton, while the Kings got the dominant big man they have been desperately looking for since the departure of Demarcus Cousins.
We’ll see if either team can emerge into a playoff team in the future thanks to this huge trade deadline move.