Why did the Sacramento Kings just trade away their best young player?
In a shocking move reported Tuesday by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Kings sent second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers as part of a deal that lands them two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis.
Sabonis immediately becomes Sacramento's best player, important for a franchise that hasn't had an All-Star since agreeing to trade DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans on the night of the 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans.
Yet the cost was immense. Haliburton, a steal for the Kings as the No. 12 pick of the 2020 draft, finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last season and had taken a step forward as a starter during year two. At 21, Haliburton has a bright future with Indiana.
How will Sabonis fit on a Sacramento roster that was already heavy on frontcourt players? What moves are coming for the rebuilding Pacers after they landed Haliburton? And what value do the other players exchanged Thursday, including Buddy Hield and Justin Holiday, have? Let's break it down.
The deal
Indiana Pacers get: Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Tristan Thompson
Sacramento Kings get: Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday, 2027 second-round pick