How Pacers vs. Kings Rekindles Past All-Star Trade

However, before Haliburton, one other player earned two All-Star selections with the Pacers, and ironically, they were featured in a trade via the 2021-22 season.

During the 2021-22 season's trade deadline, the Kings traded Haiburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson to the Pacers for Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, and a 2023 second-round pick. 

Previously, such a trade appeared as a seldom-occurring, equally beneficial trade for both parties.

However, since the 2021-22 season, the Pacers have experienced an Eastern Conference Finals berth, thanks to Haliburton's presence. Moreover, the Pacers are fourth in the Eastern Conference, whereas the Kings technically aren't in the playoff tier, ranking 10th in the Western Conference. 

Without Myles Turner in the lineup, as he's now out for Monday's contest due to an illness, Sabonis can eat the Pacers on the boards and dominate the scoreboard in the paint. 

In four of the five games Sabonis has played vs. the Pacers since becoming the Kings' star, he's recorded three double-doubles as a member of the Kings. More impressively, Sabonis recorded a 21-point triple-double on Jan. 18, 2024.

Given his significant success over the Pacers, the Kings center could ruin the Gainbridge Fieldhouse reunion. However, despite what seems like a disadvantageous scenario for the Pacers, they hold a 3-2 record since the two franchises swapped stars.