With the 12th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft the Sacramento Kings select Tyrese Haliburton!
This is huge win for the Kings as nobody expected Haliburton to be available for the Kings at the 12th pick.
The Kings never imagined Tyrese Haliburton could get to them at No. 12, sources tell ESPN, but…here he comes.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 19, 2020
Sources: Sacramento is selecting Tyrese Haliburton with the No. 12 pick in the NBA Draft.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 19, 2020
From our expert, Bryant West:
Tyrese Haliburton has incredible upside as a perfect role player for any team in the league, especially the Kings. He’s a dynamic playmaker, a great shooter off the catch, and a high-instinct help defender. He will fit in fantastically with the Kings, who desperately need high instinct players who give a damn on defense. Anyone expecting a star should reign in expectations – Hali is not a guy who can create his own shot, and he’ll be best as a secondary initiator next to De’Aaron Fox. But the Kings just snagged the 7th overall guy on my KingsCentric Big Board, and Haliburton will certainly become a fan favorite early in his Kings career.
Welcome to Sacramento Tyrese!
The Kings still own the 35th, 43rd, and 52nd picks in the draft, so stay tuned to Kings Herald for more Kings coverage.
LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOO
YEEESSSSS!!!!!! TYRESE HALIBURTON!!!! YEEESSSS!!!!
This sounds great!
But then I am wondering, why did he slide so far? Is he the falling knife and did we Kangz again?
god just enjoy something good happening for crying out loud.
I enjoy plenty of good things happening. They usually aren’t Kings related, unfortunately.
I could sympathize with this if Haliburton was an intangibles athlete upside play with a giant hole (Okoro in this class comes to mind in relation to shooting). But this is an analytics darling, projectable with models, who is more than deserving of intrigue as well in his film. Maybe a serious injury is being wrapped but in lieu of that as no one has even remotely suggested as much, the logic of this pick is more than sound. Its process driven in a way nearly every Kings pick hasnt been (even the good ones).
Regardless of how this plays out this is sound logic. Thats all you can do.
you do you. I just don’t understand always complaining. Like what’s the point in being a fan if you can still complain based on what’s happened tonight?
like what event would you not complain about? If the Sacramento Kings gave you one million dollars would you complain because you feel you deserve one billion dollars?
I would not complain about you minding your own business.
kind of funny that you keep complaining about my complaining that much. Those kind of ironies make me happy.
thumbs down emoji
I think it’s ironic you really have very little good to say about the Kings, ever. In any context. For someone with absolutely no connection to the city in any way shape or form, you manage to ONLY see the negative.
It’s rather impressive in it’s own way. But it is also rather limiting, too.
This is going to kill me on my taxes!
You could just let everyone have their own opinion, so this place doesn’t turn into StR during the early Cousins era.
We left hive minded devotion behind a few years back.
thumbs up emoji
I actually thought the same thing about him falling so fast
Let’s assume there’s an issue. Why worry about it until it’s revealed?
Obligatory – F yes!!!!!!
And if anyone wants to know – here’s my write up from the draft projections:
Model view: Wild variance finishing as high as 2 and as low a 4, which advanced math will tell you is twice as big of a number as 2. But joking aside, every model loved him as he was the highest rated player in the model aside from the 3 game sample from Wiseman. The only models where he was lower were the humble models where he was penalized for a slightly lower mock draft ranking.
Scouts View: A hard working, high IQ player who has great size and length for either PG or SG and should be a switchable, but not elite / lock down defender. Has an unorthodox, but effective shot and has great footwork, though shies away from contact inside and can struggle to finish at times. He’s also long, fluid, and crafty which helps him create offense, but he lacks great speed or athleticism, which limits his ability to create for himself.
Good metrics: 99th percentile spot up & 3rd in transition, Great impact stats (20 net rating, 12 BPM, 4 win shares in 22 games), 2.33 A/T, 63% true shooting, 2.4 steals per 40, 1.9 steals / foul
Bad Metrics: 16.5 point per 40, 20.1 usage rate,
What you have to believe for him to be a star: That his funky shot translates to the NBA and that he can score enough to be a star as opposed to a secondary or tertiary ball handler.
Verdict: Anyone who has interacted with me here knows that Haliburton checks all my boxes – high basketball IQ, high skill level, hard worker, and high impact. I have no doubt he’s going to be a very good NBA player who outperforms where he’s been mocked. That said, while I think he will end up playing a critical role on some very good teams, his low points per 40 and film doesn’t really match past high skill, high IQ players who were underestimated and became superstars. While not a perfectly predictive stats – points per 40 for these stars was: Harden (23), Curry (34), Lillard (28), Doncic (25), McCollum (31). While his Iowa teammates were dreadful shooters who didn’t space the floor and may have held back Haliburton slightly, I think he’d need outlier growth to become a star and more likely settles in as a very strong player.
NBA comp high: Modern Toni Kukoc – At his peak, Toni had the advanced stats of a top 20 player, although he was more complementary than someone you wanted as your number 1 option. Similarly, Haliburton is likely to be a strong, two way contributor, but one who fits in perfectly in the modern NBA and who can be added to any lineup.
NBA comp medium: Khris Middleton – A strong, versatile semi-star, who ideally would be an elite team’s 3rd best option. A player who does everything well, but who isn’t necessarily elite in any one skill and not someone you want as your best player.
NBA comp low: Mike Dunleavy – A solid NBA journeyman and on-and-off starter who is a high IQ, solid character staple in the league for years.
So you’re saying he’s a bit of a mystery.
I like it but your comps are all guys who play the 3 or 4…
Fair, call it the SG version. But Hali has a somewhat similar height / weight. Somewhat similar styles and usage as ideally the 3rd best player on an elite team.
If Dunleavy is his floor, that’s pretty good.
All your comps are way taller than he is. Are we looking for a growth spurt?
Would be nice, but was more about the playing style and complementary, high IQ nature of his game. Typically you might associate it with a more dominant PG, but given he will probably be a secondary / tertiary ball handler, his numbers and impact might be more in-line with them.
I like the comparison to Middleton, he hits a lot of spot-up shots and I can only hope Haliburton becomes as effective defensively.
I’m quite happy the Kings went w/the guy who clearly seemed like the BPA (I’m surprised Haliburton fell to #12), but I don’t remember Kukoc being as good as Middleton, much less better.
Ha. Had this same conversations with multiple friends who read this. Kukoc had top 20 advanced stats and was the third best player on some championship teams.
You want to argue for Middleton, then that’s fine. But I think Kukoc was probably underrated and while he got his rings, probably is remembered a bit worse for being the #3 and sitting around 15ppg with other great supporting stats.
So his advanced stats were better than Rodman’s on some of the title teams?
Yes, now these should be taken with a grain of salt, but for reference, the 1995-1996 Bulls:
Player: VORP (League rank)
Jordan: 9.8 (#1)
Pippen: 5.9 (#7)
Kukoc: 4.0 (#17)
Kerr: 2.6 (#43)
Harper: 2.2 (#61)
Rodmap: 1.1 (#115)
Now, Rodman played an important and unique role on the Bulls with his defense and rebounding. However, he gave them very little on offense, probably sandbagged some of the regular season, and certainly had a big personality that helped claim the spotlight.
So you can argue that Rodman was the third best or at least the third most impactful when he was locked in every third regular season game and in the playoffs (though he was still #6 in the playoffs). Or that Kukoc was quietly underrated, while Rodman’s personality helped add to his mystique beyond his actual impact.
Note 1: BPM and Win Shares give the same top 3 and a near-identical ranking. And Bulls had the same to 3 and a near identical ranking in 1996-1997, so this wasn’t a one year fluke.
Note 2: Kukoc had a virtually identical VORP the year before with Jordan not playing 80% of the games, so his success wasn’t about Jordan elevating his game. Even at age 30 without Jordan or Pippen, he was the #28 player by VORP.
And going back real fast to the is Middleton better conversation:
Middleton’s peak VORP is 2.9 last season with one other season of 2.2. Similarly, peak BPM is 4.1 with one prior season at 1.6. And max win shares is 7.9.
Kukoc on those metrics was VORP 4.1, BPM 5.4, Win Shares 10.1. Even off Chicago where he was 33 and older (at a time when players that age typically cratered), he had seasons of 2.1 VORP, 2.8 BPM, 4.0 Win Shares – which other than Win Shares is better than Middleton’s second best season.
Of course, this proves nothing. Advanced stats should be taken with a grain of salt. But just to provide some context across eras.
Anyway, not trying to be a know-it-all or pedantic here. I just think it’s a fascinating topic, so wanted to look up some of the data to share. Again, you are not the only person to bring this up and had a similar, fascinating conversation about it with 2 friends who are NBA junkies on Zoom last night while we watched the draft.
WHAT A HUGE PICK!!!!!
This is fantastic. I was concerned they’d take Nesmith. Atta boy. monte!
I will gladly take that falling knife!!!
I didn’t think Halliburton would drop past 8, just no way.
WELCOME TO BASKETBALL HELL HALI!!!
YOU WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED HERE! HELL YEAH!!
And he has a resemblance to Doug Christie. I couldn’t be happier.
I’m glad I’m not the only one I thought you can’t look like a young Doug Christie
I’m so fucking excited. I never thought he’d fall out of the top 5. I’m getting drunk now.
I was already drunk, now to get more drunk!
I’m gonna get drunkiest.
We all get to TY one on!
I could’ve seen him slipping to #8, but I’m surprised he slipped to #12.
I’m drinking 2 or 3 beers. Which, these days, is my equivalent of getting drunk.
Was right with you bro. Woo hoo
YASS!
Me likey.
Great get! Now if we can only not eff up our trades…
Tankathon had Haliburton at #4. I can see why Kings weren’t thinking they could get him
Great day Kings fans!
Bogi trade falls through and we get great value with our 12th pick. Steal of the draft in terms of value.
Vlade would not have made that pick due to Haliburton playing the same position as Fox. Thank God Monte is our GM and not the VladFather.
You’re so right about VD being afraid to pick another PG. but at 6’5 and 40% from 3, he seems like a prototypical SG
He’s built like a two, but he really has excellent passing skills. He’s actually ambidextrous, and will find the open man. The Kings should be able to back cut and kick out teams to death.
And we build.
ESPN says he’s only 175lbs… is that right?
That’s my understanding, Kind of Kevin Martin territory when he arrived in Sacramento. Anyway, weight is a hell of a lot easier to add than height or talent.
Anyway, weight is a hell of a lot easier to add than height or talent.
Can personally confirm this
At 6’5″ and with a 7’0″ wingspan, he can probably guard 1-3. Sorry if I’m starting the “he can play some small forward” conversation.
He’ll probably be our Buddy replacement.
One can only hope
Agreed! Vlade would probably pick Maxey over Hali even if Haliburton is available.. Or you know draft another big.. cause you know Vlade loves his bigs.
Man feels good to get Haliburton.. I honestly didn’t think he would last to 12.
Phoenix threw a monkey wrench by drafting a big which opened up the possibility of us drafting either Vassell or Haliburton..
Wow!
I want Fox/Hali/DD so bad
The defense would be so much improved on this team.. god I hope the trade goes through!!
Question 1: Would Vlade have made this same pick?
Question 2: What will Haliburton’s nickname be from Jerry?
An important question that will need to be answered on The Kings Herald Show, since Jerry won’t be calling any more games.
Meh.. the spurs passed on him… I kid this looks like a solid pick.. I sure hope we can get a small forward the sign and trade for Bogi
If only that Divincenzo trade pushed through, that 3-guard line-up of Fox, Divi and Hali may be small but it could provide opposing offenses big problems.
that will still happen
Halliburton is 6’5″ with a 6’8″ wingspan. He’s definitely not small.
7’0″ wingspan.
Wut?
Really? That’s insane. It would also give him a crazy low handle.
EVEN BETTER.
Those are the guys that don’t have to bend down to tie their shoes
LET’S FUCKING GO! This is literally the best outcome.
our backcourt should have some combo of Fox, Buddy, Tyrese at all times. Coho only in emergencies/blowouts.
CoJo
Buddy gets a full-time ball-handling assistant! Terrific news!
Holy shit!!!
Haliburton, with a Hal-of-a-pass!
James Jones put this in motion. Took someone to reach to put this in play. Thanks. Well done Monte for not overthinking it
TKH!
Tyrese f__King’ Haliburton!
I have a Greg Anthony autograph
I was at the LV airport and got autographs from GA, Stacey Augmon, Tark the Shark, and Larry Johnson.
Tark yelled at me once.
I was 17 on a campus tour of Fresno St. and as I headed out the “exit-only” door of a student cafe, Tark is standing outside waiting to come in and says “Get the fuck out the way son!” as he pushed past me.
I’m astounded that this isn’t purple.
JERRY-ISM:
Since Moak is already gonna yell TYRESE the same way he said TYREKE, i propose this new JERRY-ISM for whenever Tyrese hits a layup:
Sweet layup, will you be mine
can be sang to the tune of Tyrese – Sweet Lady for extra points.
Love it!
The Kings made the logical, clear choice with the intention of choosing the best player available. The new regime is here.
From everything I read and see, he seems a similar player to Bogi. Good shooter, high IQ, not very athletic but has a smooth all-round game, some handles, and will put in a shift on D. Though more a 1/2 than a 2/3 due to being 40lbs lighter (!).
It’s easy to pack in the pounds in Sactown.
He’s got a longer wingspan than Bogi. More of a D player and more athletic and I think he can play 1-3. Not as good as a playmaker. The shooting is a bit of a question mark (weird but consistent form). Not Bogi, but certainly a player that can have a positive impact.
The great Bobby Marks said we are the winners of the night so far! This is surreal! I opined prior to the draft that I was excited about Tyrese *Maxey* to pair with Fox, keeping Kentucky guards. But no way did I think Tyrese *Haliburton* was still going to be available after having heard Marks talk him up on a podcast recently and seeing teams with no shot creator like the Bulls up there on the board. I can’t believe so many teams talked themselves into the upside of some defensive wings instead of focusing on an expert opinion like Marks saying that Haliburton will play in the league for 15 years. In a weak draft class, how does a player some people are considering will play in the league for 15 years slide all the way to #12? Especially how did the Spurs not draft him?? They must be really high on Vassel but also they might just be out of practice getting high picks! Really really love the pick, great complimentary player. And am I wrong, or does he kind of look like Doug Christie??? He was also for sure the best dressed, not that it gets you extra points on the scoreboard lol
The Spurs may have had Haliburton and Vassell in the same tier and San Antonio has like 5 good guards already.
Take that, 2020!
bUt hE WiLL tAKe THe bALL oUT oF fOX’s hAnDS
Great pick by the Mcnair. Miles ahead of Divac already.
Happy Halidays, you degenerates!
Don’t think we are putting enough stock in modeling after the Thunder and running Haliburton at the 3. Fox, Buddy, Haliburton, Barnes, Bagley might be a small lineup, but we have two legit playmakers to go along with one of the best shooters in the NBA. If Buddy buys into the offense + Walton can motivate him to move without the ball like a Klay/Robinson we could be onto something.
That lineup would get wrecked in the post and on the boards at both ends but as long as 3 is more than 2 I guess it could work as a change up.
Agreed – would have to be the correct matchup. Not saying they should run this against the Nuggets/Twolves/Lakers, but could be interesting against teams without dominant bigs
Don’t see enough length to defend and be versatile against switches with that lineup. On the other hand, Bagley/Barnes/Fox/Halliburton could make sense with a 3&D SF, as there is athleticism to burn and a real ability for PnR and stretching, if Halliburton, Barnes, and Fox can hit a 3 consistently. That is what I would target via trade or in free agency.
ideally McNair could work S+T Bogi with Atlanta for Reddish or Hunter
Cam Reddish would be the perfect fit and age for that lineup. Derrick Jones Jr. as an FA also intrigues me.
Let me correct you. Reddish and “Huerter”.
Nope, I’m talking about Deandre Hunter the SF from Virginia. He probably won’t be available, but he’d definitely fits the mold of 3&D. Don’t particularly like Huerter’s fits this roster.
Well, I mean, give us a minute.
The Kings just got a really good player.
The best PG in this draft. Who can also play the 2
Let’s trade a couple of those second-rounders and grab Saddiq Bey.
I don’t like agreeing with you.. but would have loved that…Miami will make him better
Nets..
Yeah, those Villanova guys always come in ready to contribute. That’s a great situation for him, he doesn’t need to be great on day one.
This is most surprising. A solid pick…who fits…and gets positive reviews from ESPN…and seems genuinely excited to come to Sacramento. I honestly don’t know this feeling.
Nets are going to be really good.
Thats a nice pick up for the Nets. Good for Bey, he seems like a good guy.
He’s goin to Detroit
How did Detroit end up with 3 1st round picks?
As a reward for being so damned good.
THE MAN IS WAY OUT ON A LIMB
Why is Bey slipping?
Dam Sam Presti loading up on those first rounders. Just got Philly’s 2025 1st Rounder in exchange for Horford’s contract.
Who do you want to fall to the kings? Hampton? Bolmaro? Maledon?
Hampton!
Xavier Tillman
I want Tyler Bey.
I’m hype on the Haliburton/Fox pairing. If the Kings can still get DiVincenzo they’ll have such a fun backcourt.
Yeah, I’d love Donte even more now.
Looks like Klay has a season ending Achilles injury(And could be career) I believe the Dubs window is officially shut. Curry is 32, Green 30, Klay 30 and possibly done. Wiggens making 122 mil over the next 3 years(Horrendous contract) Wiggens, Klay and Draymond still have 3 years left on their deal. Curry, 2. If I am the Dubs I am cleaning house. But, no team will take on any of those contracts, Outside of Curry.
I could see them moving Wiseman and Wiggins for Gordon Hayward.
Draymond is movable, too.
If Bane is still available at 35, you have to take him, right? Makes it even easier to move Hield at some point.
YES.
Oturu for us? I’m not opposed to a Center. Alex Len is a back up and Holmes a bit undersized and injury prone.
I just can’t believe they actually took a play maker! It’s so weird given what we’ve seen from Vlade for the last 5 years. Avdija and Haliburton were my two favorite players in the draft but I never imagined either would fall to 12. I am stunned Haliburton fell this far and I think we completely lucked out. I get the falling knife stuff but I really just don’t think that’s the case here. This guy is so smart and he reminds of Malcolm Brogdon. He just needs to get stronger.
TYLER BEY
YES. MAKE THAT PICK
Ok, let’s grab a wing or a shot blocker. Ideally both.
BEY!
Maledon at 34. TAKE BEY, KINGS!
#35, It’s Tillman, and I’m good with that.
Love this Tillman pick. A legit defensive center who’s not a lox on offense.
in Monte we trust.
He’s a very good passer for a center. I think when you think about Haliburton and Tillman you see a pattern starting to emerge: smart players who can move the ball and facilitate offense. It’s about damn time.
Shams reported this as a Grizzlies pick, but I dont see a trade???
don’t do this to me man
actually he sucks fyi
I’m just having a hard time dealing with this man. Like how can we ask for anything more??
We just traded Tillman for the #40 and a future second? But why?
I saw that, not seeing the logic. Tillman would’ve been a nice fit.
My guess is amount of roster spots available.
Woodard at #40 for the Kings.
So instead of a big we get a big wing. Sounds fine to me.
If we don’t trade the last pick, I hope they take a flyer on a high-upside big, even a draft and stash.
Well we’re picking again at 43 so we’ll see what they do but I agree a high upside type big would be a good target.
Yam Mader is my choice for one of the picks. Draft and stash
So there’s your wing. Good athlete and defender. I’ll allow it.
I’m good with it. Kings get a future asset to boot. Tillman vs Woodard is a wash for me.
Yep and he shot the ball very well last year. The ESPN guys were very high on him but they didn’t know he had been traded yet it seems.
I was fine with Tillman but actually prefer Woodard. Good move if that’s what happens.
Kevin O’connor at the Ringer had Woodard at 20 on his Big Board and I saw him a lot higher than 40 on most boards. So that works for me but I would have been happy with Tillman as well.
How weird is it when something unexpected happens to respond with, Either way, both good!
WHAT IS HAPPENING
it feels like something has to go wrong for this to be draft night
Cautiously optimistic, but I remember how happy we all were for Ben McLemore.
You can give us this, given the pick is #40 and not #7.
Ramsey at #43
I don’t know how to feel that the Kings are taking players that I like at their draft slots. It’s very strange. If another non-Kings team had this draft I would be saying that they did a really good job. Now, none of it might work out because we are the Kings but this is the most excited I’ve been on draft night since… I honestly don’t remember.
Maybe the trade is expecting bey to drop, or Paul Reed. Either one and I like the trade. Another guard and it’s stupid
Woodard baby, great move
Yam is gone. I’m on the Tillie train now.
I’m going to have a good night. 2 or 3 beers, corned beef and cabbage, seeing a lot of excitement about Halliburton, it’s nice to not feel depressed (even for a moment) about the direction of the franchise. Halliburton seems to check off a lot of boxes, makes a lot of sense on a lot of fronts, and certainly would make for an interesting backcourt with Fox, Hield and potentially DiVincenzo if that S&T ends up back on the table somehow by a miracle and Monte McNair doesn’t become the newest conductor of Kangz central.
But for tonight? Hell to the fuck yeah. I don’t do draft research anymore, I gave up on it since I’m not making the picks it makes no difference to me who the pick is and I save time gritting my teeth on whether I like or dislike it. But Halliburton seems to be a good get in terms of skillset, immediate playability which I do think is important, a projectable future (creating a better shot down the line, better team defensive awareness on and off the ball seem to be the biggest weaknesses) and perhaps he will fill out. You know, because he’s clearly an old man at the ripe old age of 19. We were all fully cogent formed humans at 19. He’d better be too! Or I’ll sic somebody’s little dog on ol’ Tyrese! (The basketball player, not the actor.)
A good day seemingly, hopefully the Kings hit on one of the 2nd rounders and get a rotation player. That would be….something.
I venture to say that even if I didn’t have a low bar for McNair (he literally couldn’t screw this up IMO), he still would have done well regardless because of the value you get with Haillburton. A young, cheap top 6 player in the rotation is something the Kings have not gotten in awhile and it would be nice to have one again. With Halliburton, DiVincenzo and Hield, you have different looks and skillsets. Along with the Swipa’d one, of course.
Now if only my corned beef would hurry up and cook, the bastard. How dare it take time and require patience of me to cook?
I can vaguely remember the last time we had the 12th pick and the Kings selected Mr. Jason Thompson and someone had himself a little meltdown which created such a wonderful
fucking thread on StR {that there has never another one like it} I wish I could remember who it was.
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