Haliburton Admits: “I Was 100% Sure Warriors Would Draft Me”
The One That Got Away: How Tyrese Haliburton Almost Became a Warrior
The Big Picture
Imagine being so good at a workout that you’re positive you’re getting picked by a championship team. That’s exactly what happened to Tyrese Haliburton before the 2020 NBA Draft. He thought the Golden State Warriors—a team that had just won multiple titles—were going to select him with their #2 overall pick.
Important Callout
The Twist: The Warriors passed on Haliburton and drafted James Wiseman instead. Haliburton fell all the way to #11 to the Sacramento Kings. Today, Haliburton is an NBA All-Star and franchise player for the Indiana Pacers, while Wiseman never panned out in Golden State.
Haliburton’s "Perfect" Workout
Haliburton recently shared the full story on the Numbers on the Board podcast. Here’s what went down:
The Workout That Should’ve Sealed the Deal
- Best workout of his life — He "didn’t miss" a single shot
- Steve Kerr (Warriors head coach) walked in and asked to see Haliburton shoot on the move, full-court style
- He didn’t miss again — Even under pressure
- Haliburton thought: "They’re drafting me at #2"
The Interview That Changed Everything
Direct Quote from Haliburton:
"In the interview, they were like, ‘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: The Warriors loved him. They said he was a perfect fit. But they still hesitated to use a top-2 pick on him.
Why the Warriors Said "No Thanks"
It wasn’t about talent. It was about fit and timing. Here’s the breakdown:
1. The Steph Curry Factor
- The Warriors already had Stephen Curry — arguably the greatest shooter ever
- Curry has the ball in his hands most of the time
- Drafting another point guard (Haliburton’s position) meant: Who runs the offense?
2. The "Off-Ball" Theory
- Haliburton pointed out: Curry can play off the ball (move without it, catch and shoot)
- But the Warriors were in "win-now mode" — chasing more championships
- They didn’t want to hand the keys to a rookie over Curry and Draymond Green
3. The Missing Piece: A Center
- Golden State lacked a true big man (center)
- James Wiseman was a 7-foot center with huge upside
- The Warriors bet on size and rim protection over backcourt depth
The "Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda" Reality
What Actually Happened
| Player | Drafted By | Career Outcome (So Far) |
|---|---|---|
| James Wiseman | Warriors (#2) | Barely played in 2022 title run • Couldn’t beat out Kevon Looney • Traded away |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Kings (#11) → Pacers | 2x All-Star • Led Pacers to NBA Finals (lost in 7 games to OKC) • Franchise cornerstone |
The Painful Truth for Warriors Fans
Important Callout
Haliburton would’ve been the perfect "co-star" for Curry.
Instead, Golden State used a premium pick on a player who didn’t contribute to their last championship — while Haliburton became a superstar one draft slot later.
Step-by-Step: How This Decision Haunts Golden State
- Warriors need a center → Draft Wiseman at #2
- Haliburton drops to #11 → Kings grab him
- Wiseman struggles with injuries, fit, and playing time
- Haliburton explodes → All-NBA talent, elite playmaker
- Warriors win 2022 title without Wiseman playing meaningful minutes
- Haliburton leads Pacers to 2024 Finals → One win from title
- Curry ages → No young co-star to carry the torch
Summary: The Cost of Overthinking
The Warriors outsmarted themselves. They had a player who:
- Crushed the workout
- Fit their system "perfectly" (their words!)
- Had elite IQ, shooting, and passing
But they talked themselves into drafting for "need" (center) over best player available. Meanwhile, Haliburton became exactly what they thought he could be — just for another team.
Bottom Line: Sometimes the "perfect fit" is the best player. The Warriors learned that the hard way.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why did Haliburton fall to #11 if he was that good?
Teams overthought his defense, athleticism, and unorthodox shooting form. Plus, many teams already had point guards. The Warriors passing on him at #2 started the slide.
Could Haliburton and Curry actually play together?
Absolutely. Haliburton is an elite off-ball mover and catch-and-shoot threat — exactly what Curry does best. Plus, Haliburton can run the offense when Curry rests. It’s a dream backcourt fit.
Was James Wiseman that bad?
Not "bad" — just not ready. He had raw talent but struggled with injuries, defensive concepts, and earning Steve Kerr’s trust. He’s still young, but the Warriors needed immediate help for a title window.
Do the Warriors regret this pick?
Almost certainly. They’ve never publicly admitted it, but passing on a future All-NBA player for a center who didn’t play in the Finals is the definition of a draft regret.
What’s next for Haliburton and the Pacers?
After reaching the 2024 NBA Finals (pushing OKC to 7 games), Indiana is built around Haliburton for the next decade. He’s the face of the franchise — and only 24 years old.
Written in the spirit of "Explain Like I’m 5" — because basketball decisions shouldn’t require a PhD to understand.