The Chicago Bulls should have listened to Tyrese Haliburton’s request in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers are having a Cinderella run in the 2025 NBA Playoffs as they have taken a 3-1 lead over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Haliburton has been a key to the Pacers’ success this postseason. It feels like the Pacers star is playing with a chip on his shoulder after being labeled the league’s most overrated player.
However, this isn’t the first time in Haliburton’s career that he has been underestimated. The Chicago Bulls know his value better than any other team, outside of maybe the Sacramento Kings.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty ImagesChicago Bulls ignored Tyrese Haliburton’s desperate plea in 2020
The 2020 NBA Draft was headlined by Anthony Edwards, who the Minnesota Timberwolves picked as the No. 1 overall pick.
Picks second to 11th from the class of 2020 have failed to make an impact so far in their NBA careers. However, the No. 12 overall pick, Pacers’ [drafted by the Kings] Haliburton has outperformed all expectations in just five seasons.
Today, Hali is on the verge of leading the Pacers to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. But Haliburton never planned to be the hero for Indy. Instead, he was keen to play for the Bulls, but his request fell on deaf ears.
“I think I fit well in Chicago with two guards in Coby [White] and Zach [LaVine] that can score at a high level,” Haliburton said in 2020.
He added: “I can come in right away and be somebody that can take the burden off them and facilitate. Whatever is needed in Chicago, or any organization, for that matter, I’m ready to do.”
The Bulls had the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. But instead of trusting Haliburton, the organization picked Patrick Williams at four.
Fast forward to 2025, Haliburton has a shot at playing in the NBA Finals while Williams has averaged just 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in his career.
Haliburton destroyed the Knicks in Game 4
Coming back to the ECF series between the Pacers and the Knicks, after losing Game 3, Indy bounced right back against New York.
According to data provided by Sofascore, Haliburton led the charge for the Pacers with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists.
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Along with a 32-point triple-double, Haliburton also notched 4 steals and committed 0 turnovers to deliver a 130-121 win over the Knicks.
Following the win, the Pacers also kept their phenomenal Game 4 record intact in the 2025 postseason. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Haliburton and Co. wrap up the series in Game 5 and earn a berth in the NBA Finals.