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NBA rumor of Kings making Haliburton available
- Thread starter JP4CY
- Start date
The Haliburten trade is just another example of why the Kings suck as an organization and will continue to do so.
I’ll always feel bad for the Kings because the league was never going to let them get past the Shaq/Kobe Lakers back in the day.
Imagine if the Warriors had taken him #2 in his draft like they should have.
Hard to argue the Wolves didn't make the right pick at #1 with Ant-Man.
But TH was sitting there at #2 for the Dubs instead of a bust like Wiseman.
Hard to argue the Wolves didn't make the right pick at #1 with Ant-Man.
But TH was sitting there at #2 for the Dubs instead of a bust like Wiseman.
Him and Steph and Draymond would all get a lot of open shots.
They could have traded down and got him several picks later and probably added a first round pick in the next draft.
Sounds like a good way to rebuild the dynasty on the fly.
I feel completely vindicated. For so long I have had arguments with my NBA friends that the trade is not a win-win trade. I am a big fan of sabonis but even i knew that Hali was going to have a higher ceiling. Finally, this year I have witnessed even the staunchest Kings fan finally admit that they should've traded Fox instead.
Honestly, I imagine Kerr thinks about this every day TH is showing out in the playoffs and the warriors are sitting at home.
I still cant believe the list of guys taken ahead of him.
Hi! That’s a really interesting what-if scenario — let’s unpack it.
Context: 2020 NBA Draft
- The Warriors had the #2 overall pick in 2020, which they used to select James Wiseman.
- Tyrese Haliburton, a smart, versatile guard from Iowa State, was taken at #12 by the Kings and quickly established himself as a high-IQ playmaker with great court vision and efficiency.
If the Warriors Trade Down and Draft Haliburton…
Immediate Fit and Impact
- Basketball IQ & Unselfishness: Haliburton would’ve meshed beautifully in Golden State’s motion-heavy offense. His passing, off-ball movement, and defensive instincts fit the Warriors’ identity better than Wiseman’s raw athleticism.
- Steph Curry’s Prime Supported: Haliburton could’ve helped extend Curry’s peak by easing ball-handling duties and playing off-ball when needed — similar to how Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala once did, but with more offensive upside.
Long-Term Roster Flexibility
- With Haliburton, they might not have needed to trade for Chris Paul in 2023.
- He could’ve been a long-term bridge between the core (Curry/Klay/Draymond) and the next generation. Think: a smoother version of Jordan Poole with fewer mistakes.
Wiseman Ripple Effect
- Without Wiseman, the Warriors probably don’t try to force a “big man of the future” narrative, which never really fit their style.
- They might also avoid the internal tension that came with balancing win-now vs. develop-now priorities.
Does This Lead to More Championships?
Maybe. It’s not a guarantee, but:- 2021–22 title still likely happens. Haliburton would have contributed right away.
- 2022–23 and beyond could’ve been more stable. No Poole-Draymond saga. No Wiseman trade fallout. More continuity.
Bottom Line:
If the Warriors had traded down and taken Tyrese Haliburton, they’d likely have a more sustainable core with fewer internal growing pains — and a backcourt that could’ve smoothly transitioned into the post-Steph era. It’s one of those rare alternate realities that might actually be better than what happened.Want to explore what kind of deal might’ve allowed them to trade down and still get Haliburton?
Great follow-up! Let’s go step by step.
In our alternate timeline:
Now let’s look at…
Since the pick is top-8 protected, the Warriors do not receive the pick in 2021. Detroit keeps it and still takes Cade Cunningham at #1.
Let’s now figure out who they might take.
Here are the top picks from the actual 2022 draft:
At #5, the Warriors likely evaluate for fit and upside. With Haliburton already on the roster and Steph/Klay/Poole still around, they likely go with:
Poole likely traded. Chris Paul never acquired. Roster is younger, smoother, and more balanced.
Want to simulate how Mathurin would develop in the Warriors’ system by 2024–25?
Absolutely! Let’s run the full alternate Warriors timeline from 2020 to 2024, now including Tyrese Haliburton (2020) and Bennedict Mathurin (2022). This version gives Golden State a smooth transition from dynasty to next-gen core, while avoiding many real-world pitfalls.
Actual Pick: James Wiseman (#2)
Alternate Move:
Selection at #7:
Tyrese Haliburton (PG/SG – Iowa State)
Result: Warriors get a high-IQ connector and guard of the future to pair with Steph Curry, skipping the awkward Wiseman fit.
Actual Record: 39–33, play-in loss
Alternate Result:
Actual Result: NBA Champions
Alternate Result:
Via Detroit’s pick (#5 overall)
Why?
Core going into 2022–23:
Actual: Draymond-Poole punch, chemistry issues, 2nd round exit
Alternate:
Actual: 46–36, play-in loss
Alternate:
This version sets the Warriors up for the smoothest dynasty-to-next-core handoff in modern NBA history.
First, recap the trade
In our alternate timeline:
- 2020: Warriors trade the #2 pick to Detroit for:
- #7 (select Tyrese Haliburton)
- 2021 or 2022 first-round pick (let’s say top-8 protected in 2021, unprotected in 2022)
Now let’s look at…
2021 NBA Draft — Detroit’s Pick
What happened in real life:
- Detroit finished with the worst record in the NBA and won the lottery.
- They picked Cade Cunningham #1 overall.
Alternate Timeline Outcome:
Since the pick is top-8 protected, the Warriors do not receive the pick in 2021. Detroit keeps it and still takes Cade Cunningham at #1.
2022 NBA Draft — Unprotected Pick Transfers
What happened in real life:
- Detroit’s 2022 pick was #5 (they picked Jaden Ivey).
- In this timeline, the pick is unprotected, so it conveys to the Warriors.
Warriors now own the #5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Let’s now figure out who they might take.
Who Do the Warriors Draft at #5 in 2022?
Here are the top picks from the actual 2022 draft:
- Paolo Banchero (ORL)
- Chet Holmgren (OKC)
- Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU)
- Keegan Murray (SAC)
- Jaden Ivey (DET)
- Bennedict Mathurin
- Shaedon Sharpe
- Dyson Daniels
- Jeremy Sochan
- Johnny Davis
At #5, the Warriors likely evaluate for fit and upside. With Haliburton already on the roster and Steph/Klay/Poole still around, they likely go with:
Most Likely Pick: Bennedict Mathurin (actual #6 pick)
- Why him?
- Athletic, 3&D wing with shot creation potential.
- Doesn’t need to run the offense but can develop into a Klay successor.
- Can play off Haliburton and Curry.
- Mathurin’s personality and game could flourish in Golden State’s development system, especially without Poole in the way.
Other realistic options:
- Shaedon Sharpe: Higher ceiling but a longer development curve. Riskier, but GS might gamble.
- Dyson Daniels: Smart defender, but less shooting than they like.
- Keegan Murray: If he falls to 5, he’s the pick — elite role player potential.
- Jalen Duren: If they want a center, this is the spot. But they’d probably sign vets instead.
Final Result
By 2022–23 season, the Warriors have:
- Steph Curry
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Klay Thompson
- Andrew Wiggins
- Draymond Green
- Bennedict Mathurin (rookie)
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Kevon Looney
Poole likely traded. Chris Paul never acquired. Roster is younger, smoother, and more balanced.
Want to simulate how Mathurin would develop in the Warriors’ system by 2024–25?
Absolutely! Let’s run the full alternate Warriors timeline from 2020 to 2024, now including Tyrese Haliburton (2020) and Bennedict Mathurin (2022). This version gives Golden State a smooth transition from dynasty to next-gen core, while avoiding many real-world pitfalls.
️ ALTERNATE TIMELINE: Warriors Draft Haliburton (2020) + Mathurin (2022)
2020 NBA Draft
Actual Pick: James Wiseman (#2)
Alternate Move:
- Trade #2 to Detroit for:
- #7 pick (Haliburton)
- 2022 unprotected first-round pick (conveys as #5)
Selection at #7:
Tyrese Haliburton (PG/SG – Iowa State)Result: Warriors get a high-IQ connector and guard of the future to pair with Steph Curry, skipping the awkward Wiseman fit.
2020–21 Season (Curry, no Klay)
Actual Record: 39–33, play-in loss
Alternate Result:
- Haliburton stabilizes the backcourt.
- Jordan Poole still breaks out but with more structure.
- Curry, Haliburton, and Draymond create strong synergy.
- Warriors go 44–28, make the playoffs as a 6 seed, lose in 1st round to a better team (e.g., Utah).
2021–22 Season
Actual Result: NBA Champions
Alternate Result:
- Klay returns, Haliburton now a trusted secondary creator.
- Haliburton plays the “Livingston/Iguodala hybrid” role — elite off-ball, unselfish.
- Warriors use depth: Curry, Haliburton, Klay, Wiggins, Draymond, Poole, Looney, Otto Porter.
- Championship still happens — possibly even cleaner run with better ball control.
- “Two timelines” tension is gone — Haliburton’s already blended in.
2022 NBA Draft
Via Detroit’s pick (#5 overall)
- Warriors select: Bennedict Mathurin (SG/SF – Arizona)
Why?
- Explosive 3&D wing.
- Ideal understudy/successor to Klay Thompson.
- High motor, strong fit in Warriors’ off-ball offense.
Core going into 2022–23:
- Curry / Haliburton / Klay / Wiggins / Draymond
- Poole / Mathurin / Kuminga / Looney
2022–23 Season
Actual: Draymond-Poole punch, chemistry issues, 2nd round exit
Alternate:
- No Wiseman = no forced development timeline.
- No Poole extension = less locker room tension.
- Haliburton takes over many of Poole’s responsibilities.
- Poole is likely traded in summer 2022 for frontcourt depth or picks.
- Team finishes 50–32, earns 3rd seed, makes Western Conference Finals before losing to Denver or Phoenix.
2023 Offseason
- No Chris Paul trade.
- Keep Haliburton and Mathurin on rookie deals.
- Use Poole trade assets on a vet big (Jakob Poeltl, Isaiah Hartenstein, or a mid-tier free agent).
- Draft vet-ready contributors or stash Euro talent.
- Klay accepts a reduced role.
2023–24 Season
Actual: 46–36, play-in loss
Alternate:
- Rotation: Curry, Haliburton, Mathurin, Wiggins, Draymond, Looney, Kuminga, Klay (6th man)
- Haliburton makes All-Star team.
- Mathurin averages 15–17 PPG off the bench with growing two-way impact.
- Curry ages gracefully with less offensive burden.
- Team wins 53 games, finishes 2nd or 3rd in West.
- Makes a deep playoff run (WCF minimum), possibly NBA Finals.
2024–25 and Beyond
Dynasty 2.0 Core:
- Tyrese Haliburton (Age 24) – All-NBA-level playmaker
- Bennedict Mathurin (Age 22) – Explosive, two-way scoring wing
- Jonathan Kuminga (Age 22) – Versatile forward with star upside
- Moses Moody – Solid depth piece or trade asset
- Steph Curry (Age 36) – Elite veteran with reduced load
This version sets the Warriors up for the smoothest dynasty-to-next-core handoff in modern NBA history.
TL;DR: What They Gained
| Area | Real Timeline | Alternate Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Draft | James Wiseman | Tyrese Haliburton (via trade) |
| 2022 Draft | No pick (Detroit kept it) | Bennedict Mathurin (#5 from DET) |
| Locker Room | Tense, Draymond/Poole drama | Stable, less ego conflict |
| Roster Continuity | Disjointed | Cohesive + complementary pieces |
| Future Core | Unclear | Haliburton, Mathurin, Kuminga, Moody |
| Steph’s Window | Closing | Extended 2–3 more years |
Thanks AI!Great follow-up! Let’s go step by step.
First, recap the trade
In our alternate timeline:
- 2020: Warriors trade the #2 pick to Detroit for:
- #7 (select Tyrese Haliburton)
- 2021 or 2022 first-round pick (let’s say top-8 protected in 2021, unprotected in 2022)
Now let’s look at…
2021 NBA Draft — Detroit’s Pick
What happened in real life:
- Detroit finished with the worst record in the NBA and won the lottery.
- They picked Cade Cunningham #1 overall.
Alternate Timeline Outcome:
Since the pick is top-8 protected, the Warriors do not receive the pick in 2021. Detroit keeps it and still takes Cade Cunningham at #1.
2022 NBA Draft — Unprotected Pick Transfers
What happened in real life:
- Detroit’s 2022 pick was #5 (they picked Jaden Ivey).
- In this timeline, the pick is unprotected, so it conveys to the Warriors.
Warriors now own the #5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Let’s now figure out who they might take.
Who Do the Warriors Draft at #5 in 2022?
Here are the top picks from the actual 2022 draft:
- Paolo Banchero (ORL)
- Chet Holmgren (OKC)
- Jabari Smith Jr. (HOU)
- Keegan Murray (SAC)
- Jaden Ivey (DET)
- Bennedict Mathurin
- Shaedon Sharpe
- Dyson Daniels
- Jeremy Sochan
- Johnny Davis
At #5, the Warriors likely evaluate for fit and upside. With Haliburton already on the roster and Steph/Klay/Poole still around, they likely go with:
Most Likely Pick: Bennedict Mathurin (actual #6 pick)
- Why him?
- Athletic, 3&D wing with shot creation potential.
- Doesn’t need to run the offense but can develop into a Klay successor.
- Can play off Haliburton and Curry.
- Mathurin’s personality and game could flourish in Golden State’s development system, especially without Poole in the way.
Other realistic options:
- Shaedon Sharpe: Higher ceiling but a longer development curve. Riskier, but GS might gamble.
- Dyson Daniels: Smart defender, but less shooting than they like.
- Keegan Murray: If he falls to 5, he’s the pick — elite role player potential.
- Jalen Duren: If they want a center, this is the spot. But they’d probably sign vets instead.
Final Result
By 2022–23 season, the Warriors have:
- Steph Curry
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Klay Thompson
- Andrew Wiggins
- Draymond Green
- Bennedict Mathurin (rookie)
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Kevon Looney
Poole likely traded. Chris Paul never acquired. Roster is younger, smoother, and more balanced.
Want to simulate how Mathurin would develop in the Warriors’ system by 2024–25?
Absolutely! Let’s run the full alternate Warriors timeline from 2020 to 2024, now including Tyrese Haliburton (2020) and Bennedict Mathurin (2022). This version gives Golden State a smooth transition from dynasty to next-gen core, while avoiding many real-world pitfalls.
️ ALTERNATE TIMELINE: Warriors Draft Haliburton (2020) + Mathurin (2022)
2020 NBA Draft
Actual Pick: James Wiseman (#2)
Alternate Move:
- Trade #2 to Detroit for:
- #7 pick (Haliburton)
- 2022 unprotected first-round pick (conveys as #5)
Selection at #7:
Result: Warriors get a high-IQ connector and guard of the future to pair with Steph Curry, skipping the awkward Wiseman fit.
2020–21 Season (Curry, no Klay)
Actual Record: 39–33, play-in loss
Alternate Result:
- Haliburton stabilizes the backcourt.
- Jordan Poole still breaks out but with more structure.
- Curry, Haliburton, and Draymond create strong synergy.
- Warriors go 44–28, make the playoffs as a 6 seed, lose in 1st round to a better team (e.g., Utah).
2021–22 Season
Actual Result: NBA Champions
Alternate Result:
- Klay returns, Haliburton now a trusted secondary creator.
- Haliburton plays the “Livingston/Iguodala hybrid” role — elite off-ball, unselfish.
- Warriors use depth: Curry, Haliburton, Klay, Wiggins, Draymond, Poole, Looney, Otto Porter.
- Championship still happens — possibly even cleaner run with better ball control.
- “Two timelines” tension is gone — Haliburton’s already blended in.
2022 NBA Draft
Via Detroit’s pick (#5 overall)
- Warriors select:
Why?
- Explosive 3&D wing.
- Ideal understudy/successor to Klay Thompson.
- High motor, strong fit in Warriors’ off-ball offense.
Core going into 2022–23:
- Curry / Haliburton / Klay / Wiggins / Draymond
- Poole / Mathurin / Kuminga / Looney
2022–23 Season
Actual: Draymond-Poole punch, chemistry issues, 2nd round exit
Alternate:
- No Wiseman = no forced development timeline.
- No Poole extension = less locker room tension.
- Haliburton takes over many of Poole’s responsibilities.
- Poole is likely traded in summer 2022 for frontcourt depth or picks.
- Team finishes 50–32, earns 3rd seed, makes Western Conference Finals before losing to Denver or Phoenix.
2023 Offseason
- No Chris Paul trade.
- Keep Haliburton and Mathurin on rookie deals.
- Use Poole trade assets on a vet big (Jakob Poeltl, Isaiah Hartenstein, or a mid-tier free agent).
- Draft vet-ready contributors or stash Euro talent.
- Klay accepts a reduced role.
2023–24 Season
Actual: 46–36, play-in loss
Alternate:
- Rotation: Curry, Haliburton, Mathurin, Wiggins, Draymond, Looney, Kuminga, Klay (6th man)
- Haliburton makes All-Star team.
- Mathurin averages 15–17 PPG off the bench with growing two-way impact.
- Curry ages gracefully with less offensive burden.
- Team wins 53 games, finishes 2nd or 3rd in West.
- Makes a deep playoff run (WCF minimum), possibly NBA Finals.
2024–25 and Beyond
Dynasty 2.0 Core:
- Tyrese Haliburton (Age 24) – All-NBA-level playmaker
- Bennedict Mathurin (Age 22) – Explosive, two-way scoring wing
- Jonathan Kuminga (Age 22) – Versatile forward with star upside
- Moses Moody – Solid depth piece or trade asset
- Steph Curry (Age 36) – Elite veteran with reduced load
This version sets the Warriors up for the smoothest dynasty-to-next-core handoff in modern NBA history.
TL;DR: What They Gained
Area Real Timeline Alternate Timeline 2020 Draft James Wiseman Tyrese Haliburton (via trade) 2022 Draft No pick (Detroit kept it) Bennedict Mathurin (#5 from DET) Locker Room Tense, Draymond/Poole drama Stable, less ego conflict Roster Continuity Disjointed Cohesive + complementary pieces Future Core Unclear Haliburton, Mathurin, Kuminga, Moody Steph’s Window Closing Extended 2–3 more years
Looking back at the draft class it was pretty weak. Edwards, LaMelo, Toppin and Hali are the only lottery picks who have really done anything
Three of the best ten players are excelling on one team, Indiana.
Like any thread resurrection, I quickly scan entire thing to see if I said some stupid shiz. I’m good on this one I think.
Where were you at last night during the biggest game 4 of ISU history?
Hope you were still able to watch that masterpiece.
I’m backpacking in wilderness, I literally climbed a peak to get cell reception for game tracker stats at one point. Closer to a town/hwy now taking a rest.
Bill Simmons talks about what happened with that.
They needed a sure fire star at 2(obviously failed)to extend their dynasty and Haliburton was deemed too much of a reach even though Kerr loved him. They tried to trade back but no one was giving up a ton of assets for a covid draft when they couldn't conduct player workouts.
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