Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Reveals Big Goal For Next Season

The Pacers won only 35 games this season. They finished in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings, one spot behind a potential play-in berth. Indiana hasn’t made the playoffs since 2020.

Haliburton is one of the best players in the NBA. The 23-year-old averaged 20.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists this season while shooting 49.0% from the field, 40.0% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the free-throw line. Haliburton recorded 32 double-doubles in 56 games.

NBA News & Rumors: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers & NBA Updates

The best player on the Pacers, Haliburton is set to become extension-eligible this offseason. Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype has more details:

“Haliburton is Indiana’s franchise player and he will likely be treated as such with a maximum contract offer. He is eligible to extend with the Pacers for up to five years, projected at $204 million. He could also receive provisions on his deal to receive a higher maximum salary, up to five years, projected at $244.8 million, if he meets the criteria like earning All-NBA honors next season.”

NBA News & Rumors: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers & NBA Updates

A Wisconsin native, Haliburton has committed to play for Team USA in the upcoming FIBA World Cup in the Philippines, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Team USA starts training camp on August 3 in Las Vegas and will play its first exhibition game on August 7 against Puerto Rico. World Cup play begins on August 26 against New Zealand.

Back in 2010, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose used the FIBA World Cup games as his springboard to win the 2010-11 MVP Award, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to win MVP. Pacers fans are certainly hoping that Haliburton can have a similar story as Rose did with the rival Bulls.