Just tune in to Jeff Teague’s weekly podcast on any random day, and the former NBA point guard never ceases to amaze with on-brand commentary on league affairs.
That means even league superstars like Tyrese Haliburton and “off-limits” Jalen Johnson aren’t untouched.
However, only recently, Teague was on his usual business while he explored a unique idea to start his team. On the list of primal candidates from his perspective, he made a rather controversial choice between the Indiana Pacers star guard and the Atlanta Hawks’ MVP potential candidate.
“On my mama. If you was starting a team who would you take Tyrese Haliburton or Jalen Johnson? I’m taking Jalen Johnson. 6’10” point guard,” he said.
Fair enough. While a team’s desired composition dictates which player they choose for a specific position, one cannot simply ignore the latest comparison.
If anything, the 2025-26 season has seen Johnson evolve from a versatile forward into a legitimate point power forward. In Atlanta’s modern, positionless system, Johnson is essentially the primary engine, currently averaging 22.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists.
Not only that, his physical dominance at 6’8″ allows him to push past transition plays and pass over smaller guards, earning him Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors for the month of March this year.
Haliburton, meanwhile, remains the league’s most surgical traditional playmaker.
Before unfortunately falling to a torn Achilles, the 2020 NBA first-round draft pick led the Pacers with 10.9 assists and 20.1 points per game, while also operating with an elite 4.73 assist-to-turnover ratio and a 36.4% clip from deep.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Return Looks Promising
Indiana’a difficult season has only substantiated that Tyrese Haliburton remains central to everything they do.
Without their All-Star guard, the Pacers have struggled on both ends of the floor, ranking near the bottom of the league in offensive, defensive, and net rating. Injuries across the roster have compounded the issue, but the absence of their primary playmaker has been the defining factor.
There is, however, growing optimism about what comes next. Haliburton is expected to return next season following his Achilles injury, and recent examples around the league suggest a strong comeback is possible.
Tyrese Haliburton (Image Credits: Imagn)
Players like Jayson Tatum and Dejounte Murray have returned from similar injuries this year and quickly regained form, offering a blueprint for what a successful recovery can look like.
The Pacers guard will also benefit from a longer recovery timeline. By the time he returns, he will have had over a year to rehab, along with a full offseason and training camp, all the advantages that many mid-season returnees don’t get.