When Tyrese Haliburton was preparing for the NBA Draft, the New York Knicks were among his top dream destinations. While Haliburton felt confident that the Detroit Pistons would select him, he placed the Chicago Bulls, Knicks, and Pistons as his top teams. However, all those teams passed on the future title contender.
In an interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, Haliburton was asked about his draft night depression. Without hesitation, Haliburton recalled the Pistons passing on him.
“The Bulls, the Knicks, the Pistons, Detroit. With the Pistons, I knew they needed a point guard. At that moment, I already felt like I was the best point guard in the draft. LaMelo was already touted as the number one guy. He got drafted, and now I’m like, ‘Okay, it’s gotta be me,’” Hali said.
Hali couldn't believe the Pistons passed up on him during his draft 👀
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 3, 2025
He also had the Knicks as one of his top teams…imagine? 😳
(via Taylor Rooks X) pic.twitter.com/uxnRoyRAGN
Ultimately, Haliburton fell to the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, where he was selected by the Sacramento Kings. The Pistons, who held the 7th pick, chose Killian Hayes instead.
NBA fans went wild after knowing this. Social media flooded with wild reactions supporting Hali.
“Hali in the Garden would have been electric,” one fan wrote.
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Hali in the Garden would have been electric ⚡️
— Julez (@mj_italia_) June 3, 2025
“Would have changed everything,’ one comment read.
Would have changed everything 🏀
— Evan Guthrie (@EvanGuthrie) June 3, 2025
‘The Knicks are currently kicking themselves for passing up on him,” one particular fan poked fun at Detroit.
The Knicks are currently kicking themselves for passing up on him
— Tony G 🇮🇹 (@TGTatum4_3) June 3, 2025
One fan went on to assume the scenario, “Wow, imagine the alternate universe where Hali was a Knick! The Pistons definitely missed out on a gem.”
Wow, imagine the alternate universe where Hali was a Knick! The Pistons definitely missed out on a gem. 🤯🏀
— George (@Thecityismine_x) June 3, 2025
“Pistons’ miss, Knicks’ dream—Hali’s confidence speaks volumes,” one fan commented.
Pistons' miss, Knicks' dream—Hali’s confidence speaks volumes
— Dr. Guman Singh Gurjar (@DrGumanSingh) June 3, 2025
Draymond Green Compares Tyrese Haliburton’s Play To Stephen Curry
On a recent episode of The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis, Draymond Green shared high praise for Tyrese Haliburton by comparing his playing style to Steph Curry. Green highlighted the unique way Haliburton handles the basketball, drawing parallels to both Curry and Kyrie Irving.
“Steph Curry and Kyrie Irving, their ball handling starts when it appears to you that they’ve lost the basketball. Hali got some of that. Also, he bap-baps you; he’s 6’7″, his stride, he’s gone. And so it’s very interesting to watch because looking at it on TV, it don’t appear that his handle is like that,” Green said.
Although Haliburton couldn’t secure the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award, he consistently performed at a high level throughout the playoffs. Now, the next major test for him is guiding the Pacers to the NBA Finals and ending the franchise’s long-standing championship drought.
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