When Tyrese Haliburton was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Indiana Pacers in February 2022, it marked the beginning of a new era for the Pacers and for Haliburton himself.
That very night, Haliburton shared a dinner with Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, where they began shaping what would soon become Indiana’s offensive identity.
According to Jamal Collier of ESPN, Carlisle laid out a clear plan: Haliburton would become the engine of the team’s offense, with the entire system built to suit his pace and playmaking instincts.
Since that meeting, Indiana has retooled its roster to align with Haliburton’s strengths. The front office has emphasized speed, versatility, and selflessness, constructing a team capable of keeping up with Haliburton’s up-tempo style.
“As we’ve put this group together around Tyrese, we’ve had to make adjustments to develop a style that was effective for us,” Carlisle told reporters. “It’s a difficult style – physically demanding, requires tremendous athletic endurance, and above all, a deep sense of unselfishness.”
That strategy has helped Indiana transform into one of the more dynamic offensive units in the league. While the system requires a heavy physical and mental toll, it’s one that players have embraced because it stems from a clear, player-centric vision.
The Pacers aren’t just building around Haliburton, they’re entrusting him to lead the charge, both on and off the court.
Central Notes: Haliburton, Nesmith, Giannis, Sasser https://t.co/oErh9ySGEb pic.twitter.com/fUUqK9vyfD
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) May 23, 2025
