Tyrese Haliburton Was ‘Angry’ When Pistons Drafted Killian Hayes Over Him

During an interview with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report, Tyrese Haliburton admitted that he was “angry” when the Detroit Pistons drafted Killian Hayes over him in the 2020 NBA Draft. 

The Pistons had the seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft and selected Hayes. Meanwhile, Haliburton was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 12th pick. 

Tyrese Haliburton says the Pistons drafting Killian Hayes over him felt personal pic.twitter.com/tDppX8oLu5

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 18, 2024

The Pistons made a colossal mistake by drafting Hayes, who was waived on February 8. Hayes appeared in 210 games with Detroit. He averaged 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks and 2.0 turnovers while shooting 38.2% from the field, 27.7% from beyond the arc and 77.5% from the free-throw line. 

Haliburton played in 109 games with the Kings. He averaged 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks before getting traded to the Pacers in February 2022. 

Since arriving in Indiana, Haliburton has established himself as one of the best point guards in the NBA. He’s averaging 20.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 10.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Pacers. 

Haliburton has made two All-Star teams as a member of the Pacers. The Iowa State product was an All-Star starter this season. He’s averaging 21.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 11.7 assists while shooting 49.2% from the floor, 40.0% from 3 and 85.3% from the foul line. 

The Pistons have the worst record in the NBA at 8-46. Meanwhile, the Pacers are in sixth place in the East with a record of 31-25. 

It’s unknown if Hayes will play in the NBA again. He was so bad with the Pistons that some scouts believe the 22-year-old doesn’t have what it takes to play in the NBA. 

As for Haliburton, he will be dominating the league for a while. And to make matters worse for the Pistons, the Pacers are in their division, so Detroit’s front office has to watch Haliburton play well in front of them multiple times a season.