During All-Star Weekend, the two-time All-Star Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine got to speak on multiple items, including how he feels about some other rising talents around the NBA. One of those he got to speak on during the All-Star Break was the former Sacramento Kings rising star second-year point guard and new Indiana Pacers acquisition, Tyrese Haliburton.
As one of the newest notable division foes to speak of for LaVine and the Bulls post-trade deadline, Haliburton is looking to help the Pacers form a new core to make some progress in the Eastern Conference in the years ahead. Haliburton is certainly off to a nice start for the Pacers through four games since Sacramento dished him out during the deadline week.
Moreover, LaVine definitely spoke highly of Haliburton in one of his press conferences during All-Star Weekend. He spoke on the connection he had to Haliburton landing in Indy at the trade deadline after having some issues finding success in the win column with the Kings during his first season and a half in the NBA.
Chicago Bulls’ star Zach LaVine thinks highly of new Pacers PG Tyrese Haliburton
I asked Zach LaVine, who was traded from Minnesota to Chicago early in his career, what he thinks of Tyrese Haliburton’s opportunity with the #Pacers:
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) February 20, 2022
“Tyrese is off the charts, and him getting a different opportunity now in Indiana I think is gonna be big for him.” #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/zldbuGxx8p
LaVine said that Haliburton is “off the charts” and that the opportunity with the Pacers “is gonna be big for him”. He was comparing this opportunity facing Haliburton with the Pacers now to the chance he feels that he had to make an impact and really prove a point when the Minnesota Timberwolves traded him back during the 2017 offseason to the Bulls in that big splash deal that saw Jimmy Butler shipped out of Chicago.
It took a while for LaVine to find his stride with the Bulls. But he’s truly put up some All-Star caliber numbers over the course of the last three seasons. It might not be too long until Haliburton starts putting up some All-Star caliber numbers either.
Through four games played with the Pacers in the last week or so, Haliburton has averaged around 21 points per game, four rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and no blocks, while shooting 48 percent from the field, 45 percent from beyond the arc, and 81 percent from the free-throw line. If he can put up those numbers with the Pacers next season, he will obviously get real consideration to be named an All-Star for the first time in his career.
The trade that landed Haliburton with the Pacers namely involved the Kings receiving the two-time All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis from Indy. In return, the Kings shipped off namely the likes of Haliburton and sharpshooting guard Buddy Hield.