Tyrees Halliburton rose to the top of the point guard rankings in the 2025 playoffs. This was the development the Indiana Pacers front office was hoping for when it traded in 2022.
After one game in the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers proved they were there. They defeated the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder on the Paycom Center home floor. That’s an impressive achievement, especially with Tyrese Halliburton making a game-winning shot.
He is one of the most impressive players of the 2025 playoffs and solidifies himself as a first-class point guard. OKC is still a favorite to win, but Halliburton’s Pacers gambling is paying off. They traded for him and sent out Domantas Sabonis, who was also an All-Star.
Most viewed trade with King Sacramento as a favorable transaction for both sides. Unfortunately, that’s not a recent reality as Halliburton joined the elite company in this run.
When Rick Carlisle took over as head coach for the Pacers, he needed players to build it. They still had Sabonis, but he wanted a point guard in the system. Thankfully, the king wanted an All-Star like Sabonis, so he tried to give up Halliburton.
It was a good decision for the Pacers as they found the superstar they needed. Some thought it was a lucrative deal for both sides as Wang made the playoffs as the third seed in 2023. This pales in comparison to Pacer’s run to the 2025 NBA Finals.
Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan had been the EC when Halliburton was available. The former Iowa cyclone is the right player, and Halliburton has demonstrated Buchanan since trade. He is a great playmaker who frequently steps up for Pacers.
“There was really no guy you could really build like a young player. Now, Domas was a great player and a very productive player,” Buchanan told Athletic’s Sam Amic.
“But we found it difficult to build around the center in today’s modern NBA unless we have a joke like the MVP caliber center. So we tried to target some young guards.
“Tairese was one of the ideal goals to try and build that type of system. That’s what Coach Carlisle values have been developing his philosophy (arounds) over the years.
The Kings were pleased with the 2023 postseason berth, but it doesn’t hold a candle in Indiana’s success. It’s a bitter medicine to swallow for Kings fans, but the Pacers have made the right decision. That’s a bad situation considering Sacramento, who committed to De’aaron Fox, who left the team in 2025.
Halliburton could have been their franchise player if they had stuck with him. Unfortunately, the Pacers have him as a star of the present and long-term future. He is a point guard for any system, but Halliburton has something built around him in Indiana.
The rest of the pacer roster loves to put him on the team. He is their leader and he is always confident in himself and his teammates. It’s a true leader and you’ll want other pacers to continue playing together.
They only have one win in the NBA Finals, but Halliburton knows they didn’t play the best. He knows Indiana still has undeveloped possibilities. They deposit their banks in the bank prior to Game 2. This series is still a long one, especially with this Titanic Thunder team. However, Halliburton has proven himself a big star.