Haliburton: “I 100% Expected the Warriors to Draft Me”
The Big Draft Mistake: How the Warriors Passed on Tyrese Haliburton
TL;DR: Tyrese Haliburton had an amazing workout with the Golden State Warriors before the 2020 NBA Draft and thought he’d be picked #2. The Warriors chose James Wiseman instead. Haliburton became an All-Star; Wiseman barely played. Oops.
The Workout That Changed Everything
Imagine practicing for the biggest job interview of your life—and nailing it. That’s exactly what happened to Tyrese Haliburton before the 2020 NBA Draft.
Haliburton’s Perfect Day
- Best workout of his life — "I swear I didn’t miss" a single shot
- Head coach Steve Kerr personally watched and asked for more difficult drills
- Full-court shooting drills — and he still didn’t miss
- Team officials told him: "We know you fit us perfectly"
Haliburton’s thought process: "They’re drafting me at #2."
The Twist: "But We Don’t Know If We Could Draft You at 2"
After the workout, the Warriors’ front office gave Haliburton a confusing message:
Direct quote from the interview: "We know you fit us perfectly. We know you fit us perfectly, but we don’t know if we could draft you at 2."
Translation: "You’re perfect for us… but we might pick someone else anyway."
Why the Warriors Said No: The "Too Many Cooks" Problem
The Warriors already had Stephen Curry — the greatest shooter ever — running the offense. Adding another point guard (Haliburton) created a puzzle:
| Concern | Explanation (ELI5 Style) |
|---|---|
| Ball domination | Only one basketball exists. Curry needs it in his hands to work his magic. |
| Development stall | A rookie point guard learns by playing. Sitting behind Curry = limited growth. |
| Win-now mode | The Warriors wanted championships immediately, not a long-term project. |
| Missing piece | They desperately needed a center (tall player near the basket) — not another guard. |
The Pick That Haunts Golden State: James Wiseman
With the #2 overall pick, the Warriors selected James Wiseman — a 7-foot center with raw talent but little college experience (only 3 games at Memphis).
What Went Wrong with Wiseman
- Didn’t contribute to the Warriors’ 2022 championship run
- Couldn’t beat out Kevon Looney (a role player) for minutes
- Traded away just two seasons later
- Labeled a "draft bust" — a high pick who fails to meet expectations
What Haliburton Became: The Star Who Got Away
While Wiseman struggled, Haliburton blossomed:
- Drafted #11 by Sacramento Kings — a "consolation prize" that became a steal
- Traded to Indiana Pacers — where he became the face of the franchise
- Two-time NBA All-Star (2023, 2024)
- Led Pacers to 2024 NBA Finals — one win away from the championship
- Olympic gold medalist with Team USA (2024 Paris Games)
Irony: Haliburton (left) and Curry (right) became teammates on Team USA — the Warriors could’ve had this duo for years.
The "What If" Scenario: A Warriors Dynasty 2.0?
Important Point: Haliburton’s skillset — elite passing, off-ball movement, high basketball IQ — was tailor-made for Golden State’s system.
Experts believe Haliburton would have:
- Been a valuable bench piece on the 2022 title team
- Developed alongside Curry instead of behind him
- Given the Warriors a true co-star for the post-Curry era
- Extended their championship window by 5+ years
Instead, the Warriors watched Haliburton nearly beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 Finals — while they missed the playoffs entirely.
Summary: The Cost of Overthinking
| What Happened | The Lesson |
|---|---|
| Haliburton crushed his workout | Talent evaluation worked |
| Warriors admitted perfect fit | Self-awareness existed |
| They drafted for "need" over "best player" | Rigid planning backfired |
| Wiseman busted; Haliburton became a star | Opportunity cost = massive |
The Warriors outsmarted themselves. They had the right answer (Haliburton) but chose the logical answer (Wiseman) — and lost a generational talent.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why didn’t the Warriors just play Haliburton off the ball?
Curry is the greatest off-ball player ever. Haliburton thrives with the ball in his hands as a playmaker. Forcing either to change their game wastes their superpower.
Was Wiseman really that bad?
Not "bad" — just unready. He needed 2-3 years of development. The Warriors needed immediate help. Wrong timeline, wrong pick.
Could Haliburton and Curry have coexisted?
Yes. Think Steph + Klay Thompson, but with Haliburton as the primary playmaker when Curry rests. Many analysts call this a "dream fit."
Do the Warriors regret it?
They’ve never said it publicly, but actions speak louder: they’ve since prioritized "best player available" over positional need in later drafts.
What’s the biggest takeaway for NBA teams?
Draft talent, not fit. You can build fit around generational talent. You can’t manufacture talent to fit a rigid plan.
Written in the spirit of "Explain Like I’m 5" — because sports heartbreak is universal, even if the contracts aren’t.