Several teams are once again wishing they could go back in time and redo the 2020 NBA Draft, including the Phoenix Suns. Tyrese Haliburton went off the board at No. 12, two picks after the Suns drafted Jalen Smith, who didn't last a full two seasons in the desert.
Haliburton is one of four 2020 lottery picks left standing in the NBA playoffs. Ironically, three of the four play for the Pacers (Anthony Edwards is the other), but Indiana didn't draft any of them. The Knicks selected Obi Toppin with the No. 8 pick, the Kings selected Haliburton at No. 12, and the Celtics selected Aaron Nesmith at No. 14.
Most people believed the Celtics and Cavaliers would clash in the Eastern Conference Finals, not the Pacers and Knicks. Indiana has a 3-1 lead over New York, one win away from returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. Haliburton is one of the biggest reasons for that.
He finished with a game-high 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, and four steals in the Pacers' 130-121 Game 4 win. Haliburton is the first player in NBA history to record at least 30 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds with zero turnovers. Is there anyone who still believes he's overrated?
Suns passing on Tyrese Haliburton in 2020 draft stings even worse
Haliburton would've been part of the team's run to the 2021 NBA Finals if the Suns drafted him. He was a rookie then, but he could've helped sway that series. He could've done the same the following postseason when Phoenix lost to Dallas in seven games during the semifinals. Chris Paul went scoreless in the first half of Game 7, finishing with 10 points in a 123-90 blowout loss.
It's hard not to wonder what impact Haliburton could have had during his first two seasons with the Suns when the team could have won a title. His presence might have been enough to keep Phoenix from trading for Kevin Durant in 2023, depleting its draft assets. Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson might still be with the Suns. The organization wouldn't be in one of the worst positions in the league if Haliburton were around.
At least Sacramento mishandled Haliburton, sending him to the Eastern Conference in a 2022 trade, or else the 25-year-old would be tormenting Phoenix even more.