The Tyrese Haliburton - Domantas Sabonis Trade Revisited 3 Years Later
Crazy trade to look back at
The Haliburton-Sabonis Trade
On February 8, 2022, the NBA world was informed of a trade that would ultimately reshape the future of two franchises. The Sacramento Kings dealt their promising young guard Tyrese Haliburton, along with Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson, to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for then two-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis (he’s now a three-time All-Star), veteran wings Justin Holiday and Jeremy Lamb, and a 2023 second-round pick.
At the time, the move was met with shock and skepticism — Haliburton was viewed as an important piece for Sacramento's future, while Sabonis was seen as a win-now acquisition for a team still stuck in mediocrity.
At the Time
Sacramento Kings
For the Kings, the trade was a bold attempt to become contenders. General Manager Monte McNair and Head Coach Alvin Gentry believed that pairing Sabonis with De'Aaron Fox could form a potent offensive duo capable of ending Sacramento's 16-year playoff drought. And it worked. They ended their playoff drought, and the duo played well together. That was the plan all along — Fox and Sabonis were meant to carry the load.
However, many analysts questioned the wisdom of trading away a young talent like Haliburton, who had shown flashes of brilliance and was supposed to be their future franchise star.
Despite the skepticism, the Kings were optimistic. Sabonis was already a star — averaging 18.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game at the time of the trade. His ability to anchor the paint, score, and dominate the boards made an immediate impact. But the Kings' lack of depth at the guard position quickly became noticeable — and costly.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers, on the other hand, were looking to reshape their identity. Trading away Sabonis, their top player, signaled a move toward youth and long-term growth. Receiving Haliburton gave Indiana a dynamic young point guard to build around. The inclusion of Buddy Hield added outside shooting, and the second-round pick brought another asset to their rebuild.
At the time of the trade, no one expected Indiana to contend immediately. The focus was clear: develop Haliburton and rebuild patiently.
At the Time: Trade Grades
The trade received mixed reviews. Some thought Indiana had won by a mile, while others believed the Kings had a shot at building a title-worthy roster around Sabonis and Fox.
My grades at the time:
Sacramento: B
Indiana: A−
It wasn’t quite a win-win — but it was around that.
Now: Sacramento Kings
In the years following the trade, the Kings experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Sabonis brought All-Star-level play and helped improve the team. They returned to the playoffs, started winning more games, and seemed to be building something.
But they never fully figured it out.
Despite Sabonis’ impact — and before Fox was recently traded — the Kings failed to build a consistent contender. It cost people their jobs. In April 2025, Sacramento parted ways with General Manager Monte McNair following another disappointing season. Head coach Mike Brown had already been fired earlier in the year. The Kings are right back where they started.
Stuck in mediocrity.
Sure, Sabonis signed a five-year, $217 million extension and continues to play well — but the Kings still feel the absence of Haliburton.
Now: Indiana Pacers
In contrast, the Pacers have thrived. The Haliburton trade has elevated the franchise. He has emerged as Indiana’s franchise player — earning back-to-back All-Star selections and leading the Pacers to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in years. As of now, they’re up 2–0 against the New York Knicks.
Haliburton has grown in many ways — from playmaking and scoring to clutch shot-making. He’s made Indiana a must-watch team and turned them into serious contenders. Currently averaging 18.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.6 assists in the playoffs, it will be interesting to see if Tyrese can lead Indiana to a championship this year.
The Trade Revisited
Looking back, this trade is now widely regarded as a win for Indiana. Haliburton’s emergence as a superstar and the Pacers’ rise to relevance have made the deal a franchise-altering success. Meanwhile, Sacramento’s inability to build a cohesive, winning team around Sabonis’ production has many questioning why they made the deal in the first place.
Current grades:
Indiana: A+
Sacramento: C−
Final Thoughts
The Haliburton-Sabonis trade serves as a valuable lesson. For teams like the Pacers, embrace the rebuild and bet on young talent. For teams like the Kings — ask yourself, are you truly ready to contend, or are you rushing the process?
Sacramento chased immediate improvement but sacrificed long-term potential. Indiana took the opposite route, and it has paid off. As the Pacers fight for a spot in the NBA Finals, one thing is clear — in this chess match, they’re the ones holding the King in check.