PHOENIX — Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton can still remember where he wanted to go on draft night, and who he wanted to play alongside.
Jan 4, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
As the 2020 NBA Draft unfolded, Haliburton was hoping the Phoenix Suns would call his name. The young guard saw an opportunity to join Devin Booker in the backcourt and fill what he believed was an obvious need for the Suns.
Six years later, Haliburton is one of the NBA’s brightest young stars, a two-time All-Star who helped lead the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2025. But for a moment on draft night, his future could have looked very different.
Haliburton revisited that night on the “Numbers on the Board” podcast, recalling how his agent tried to sway Phoenix to pick him.
Tyrese Haliburton says he wanted to be drafted by the Suns to play with Book:
“I was calling Phoenix… Like ya’ll need a PG.”
6 years later, and the Suns still need a PG. pic.twitter.com/xYSSbaS04J
— SleeperSuns (@SleeperSuns) August 23, 2026
“And Phoenix, we were calling Phoenix because I was like, y’all need a [point guard],” Haliburton said. “I was trying to play with [Devin Booker]. Let me go play with Book.”
The Suns ultimately went another direction, selecting forward Jalen Smith with the No. 10 pick, while Haliburton fell to the Sacramento Kings at No. 12. He was later traded to Indiana, where he developed into the franchise point guard and one of the league’s premier playmakers.
But Haliburton’s recollection offers a glimpse at what could have been in Phoenix.
Dec 19, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) passes the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (26) and guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the first quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
At the time, the Suns were looking for ways to build around Booker, who was entering his sixth season. Adding Haliburton would have given Phoenix a young, pass-first guard capable of creating offense while allowing Booker to operate more freely as a scorer.
Instead, Phoenix acquired Chris Paul shortly after the draft, a move that immediately changed the trajectory of the franchise. The Suns reached the NBA Finals in 2021, while Haliburton eventually became an All-Star in Indiana.
Jan 4, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots the ball against Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Still, the idea of Haliburton and Booker sharing a backcourt is one of those draft-night what-ifs that has only become more interesting as Haliburton’s career has taken off.
Haliburton wanted to be in the Valley on draft night. Six years later, it’s fair to wonder how different both sides might look if the Suns had drafted him.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Diamondbacks make pitching changes ahead of series finale vs. Reds
