The Sacramento Kings believed they were improving their roster when they traded veteran star to the Pacers in 2022 in exchange for a package headlined by Domantas Sabonis. The hope was that pairing Sabonis with De’Aaron Fox would elevate the team — and initially, it did. But that momentum didn’t last.
Fox is no longer with the team, having been traded to San Antonio a few months ago. Since breaking their long playoff drought in 2023, the Kings haven’t returned to the postseason, excluding Play-In Tournament appearances.
Midway through the 2024–25 season, Sacramento hit the reset button by firing head coach Mike Brown. Doug Christie took over as interim coach and was made permanent after the team’s Play-In exit. Not long after parting ways with Brown, the Kings also dismissed general manager Monte McNair, replacing him with Scott Perry.
The franchise is now in a state of transition and uncertainty. Meanwhile, top star has thrived in Indiana, guiding the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024, where they lost to the Celtics. This year, Indiana returned to the ECF after defeating Milwaukee and Cleveland. Though underdogs against the Knicks, the Pacers hold a 1-0 series lead after a stunning comeback in Game 1.
Kings fans wish Tyrese Haliburton was still in Sacramento
In his first full season with the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton earned a spot in the All-Star Game as a reserve. He repeated that achievement in 2024, putting up a career-best 20.1 points and 10.9 assists per game. Although his stats dipped slightly in the 2024–25 season and he missed out on a third straight All-Star selection, Haliburton has led Indiana to within three wins of their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000. At just 25 years old and still approaching his prime, he’s been essential to the Pacers’ success.
In Wednesday’s victory, Haliburton delivered a standout performance with 31 points, 11 assists, four rebounds, and a steal — including a dramatic game-tying shot that bounced high off the back rim before dropping in.
There’s no one you’d trust more with the ball in crunch time—Haliburton has that clutch gene.
Few expected Indiana to be among the final two teams left in the Eastern Conference, but with each victory, the Pacers are starting to feel like a team of destiny. Haliburton is proving his doubters wrong, and it’s clear now that the Kings underestimated just how high his ceiling could be. He’s not fading anytime soon. If only Sacramento could turn back the clock and hold on to him.