As we continue ranking the league’s best players, we analyze Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers in this article. Last season, Haliburton had a breakout year and produced impressive numbers, proving he is one of the best young guards in the NBA and a franchise-altering player.
Top 25 NBA players 2023-24: No 23 Tyrese Haliburton
A Rising Star
Haliburton is a gifted young guard with an incredible skill set. He is already one of the league’s best passers; he has elite vision and sets his teammates up for easy looks. Haliburton is also very productive as a scorer, especially from beyond the arc, where he shot 40% from last season. Additionally, he is also a very capable shot-creator and finisher. While this skill set is impressive, his size separates him from his guard counterparts. At six-foot-five, Haliburton has excellent size, which benefits him as a defender while making him a more difficult matchup on offense.
This skill set has made Haliburton a rising star. At the 2022 trade deadline, he was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Pacers. In his one-and-half years with the Kings, Haliburton was seen as an excellent young player with upside but was never looked at as someone with superstar potential. A change of scenery greatly benefited him, and he is now considered a franchise cornerstone with incredible potential.
Season Recap
Despite finishing 11th in the conference, last season was encouraging for Haliburton and the Pacers. Before he went down with an injury in January, the Pacers were the sixth seed and poised to make a surprising playoff appearance. Last year was Haliburton’s first full year with Indiana, and he established himself as one of the league’s best passers. When Haliburton shared a backcourt with De’Aaron Fox in Sacramento, it was difficult to see his full potential. However, a full season with the Pacers helped him prove himself as one of the league’s best young guards, showing incredible value as a playmaker and shooter. Last season, Haliburton averaged 20.7 points and 10.4 assists en route to his first NBA All-Star appearance.
Season Outlook
The Pacers had one of the most improved rosters this offseason, adding free agent Bruce Brown, rookie Jarace Walker, and Obi Toppin to their already solid core. These additions, along with a fully healthy Haliburton, will allow Indiana to be a competitive team in the East. If Haliburton can lead the Pacers to the playoffs, he could establish himself as a consensus top-15 player. Additionally, at 23, he is likely not a finished product yet, and another jump in play is a strong possibility this season.
The Last Word on Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton is a dazzling talent who’s quickly rising the rankings of the league’s best. With a re-tooled roster, the Pacers could make a jump in the standings and compete for a playoff spot. Team success and another productive season could cause Haliburton to shoot up the rankings. Ultimately, 23 feels like the floor for Haliburton if everything pans out this year.
