Tyrese Haliburton Wants To Retire With Pacers: ‘I Hope To Be A Part Of This For The Rest Of My Career’

During an interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Tyrese Haliburton said he hopes to retire with the Indiana Pacers.

The Sacramento Kings drafted Haliburton with the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Iowa State. Haliburton was traded by the Kings to the Pacers in February 2022 and has blossomed into an All-Star. 

“But I feel like I’m obligated, at the same time, to protect this organization,” Tyrese Haliburton said. “And I’m a part of this long-term. I hope to be a part of this for the rest of my career. So, it’s just a natural fit for me and it just feels like home. Everything feels like home. My family lives in Indy as well. It’s easy for my friends to hop in the car, tell me they’re coming the night of and just drive down for a game. It’s only five hours, which is nothing to Midwest people. It just fits so naturally and that’s why I love it.”

The Pacers signed Haliburton to a five-year, $204 million extension last summer. Haliburton is averaging 21.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 11.7 assists this season while shooting 49.2% from the field, 40.0% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line. 

“People always say, ‘Midwest nice.’ It’s a real thing,” Haliburton said. “You walk past people, you make eye contact, you say hello. That was the transition of coming to California. It’s not like that. People aren’t necessarily like that. So going back to being around people like me who grew up like me, that’s why it just fits so well.”

The Pacers are 31-25 on the season. They are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Indiana is hosting All-Star Weekend this year and Haliburton is excited about it. 

“It’s a pretty cool moment,” Haliburton said. “It’s something that I, obviously, take pride in with the love and support that I get from the fans. But it is something that our organization is relishing in because playing for the Pacers in a small market, you shouldn’t be a lead guard in All-Star votes. That’s not really a thing that happens. But that is just kudos to the success we’re having as a team. People enjoy watching the way we play, so that’s why that is happening.”