The NBA Trade Deadline saw a flurry of action in its final hours. The biggest being a blockbuster deal between the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers that saw James Harden and Ben Simmons swap jerseys. The Pacers made a minor deal at the deadline that saw Torrey Craig head to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jalen Smith and a future second-round pick but Indiana had done most of their work in the days leading up to the deadline.
The trade chips started falling for the Pacers dealt Caris LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ricky Rubio, a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick. It was a nice start but the real move happened on Tuesday when the Pacers rocked the NBA world with a blockbuster trad that sent two-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday and a 2023 second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson. The move sent shockwaves across the league as many said they couldn’t believe the Kings would have included Haliburton in any deal.
What is the reaction around the league to the Pacers-Kings trade?@wojespn joins NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/zBGDtJWfHe
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) February 8, 2022
The 21-year old Haliburton was the 12th pick of the 2020 NBA Draft and someone many across the league thought would be a cornerstone piece for Sacramento for years to come. He’s averaging 14.3 points, 7.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. Buddy Hield is no slouch either, as he’s third in the league in three-pointers and averaging 14.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
“He’s just a winning player” — @Money23Green is SHOCKED the Kings traded @TyHaliburton22 pic.twitter.com/iBcfENpUIQ
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) February 9, 2022
By all accounts, this was a grand slam for the Pacers, who were desperate for some positivity this season and certainly drew praise and excitement for what they were able to accomplish at the deadline. Myles Turner is sticking around and hopefully he’ll gel with the new guys, who are all expected to make their debuts in Friday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Speaking of Friday, on that morning’s edition of Kevin & Query the guys were joined by Joe Vardon an NBA reporter for The Athletic, who praised the Pacers moves. He also evaluated the blockbuster between the Nets and Sixers and the Pacers standing in a crowded Eastern Conference. To check out the full interview, click the link below and be sure to listen to Kevin & Query every weekday morning from 7-10 on 93.5 & 107.5 The Fan!
