Landon Buford
In the ever-expanding world of sports podcasts, ‘The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone’ has emerged as a prominent voice, delivering exclusive insights and candid interviews with some of the biggest names in the sports industry. The latest episode, featuring the enigmatic Mark Cuban as the guest, has taken social media by storm with a sneak peek that promises riveting revelations. One particular tidbit that has sent shockwaves through the NBA community is Cuban’s revelation about the Dallas Mavericks’ near-miss with a rising star, Tyrese Haliburton.
The NBA Draft Night is a spectacle of anticipation, hope, and suspense, both for aspiring players and the teams vying to secure their talents. Behind the scenes, it’s a high-stakes game of strategy, negotiations, and calculated risks played out in the corridors of franchise front offices. It was on one such draft night that Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks found themselves in pursuit of a coveted treasure: Tyrese Haliburton.
Haliburton, hailing from Iowa State College, had been making waves in the college basketball scene with his remarkable statistics during his sophomore year. His impressive averages of 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game earned him a well-deserved spot on the second team All-Big 12.
However, the Mavericks were handed the 18th pick in the Draft Lottery, which didn’t align with their aspirations to secure Haliburton. They needed to trade up to get him, setting the stage for intense behind-the-scenes negotiations. Unfortunately, their efforts fell short as the Sacramento Kings picked Haliburton as the 12th overall selection.
Fast forward to the 2022 trade deadline, and a remarkable twist of fate occurred. The Indiana Pacers, now coached by Rick Carlisle, orchestrated a trade involving Domantas Sabonis, leaving the Sacramento Kings without Haliburton. This move reunited the young guard with his old mentor, Rick Carlisle.
Cuban couldn’t help but chuckle as he recounted this tale on ‘The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone.’ “Rick [Carlisle] was our coach at the time. Rick goes to Indiana. What’s the first deal he does?” Cuban said, emphasizing the irony of the situation.
The revelation about the Mavericks’ interest in Tyrese Haliburton raises intriguing questions about what might have been. Had the Mavericks successfully secured him in the 2020 draft, their backcourt could have featured the dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Haliburton. This partnership could have potentially altered the trajectory of the Mavericks’ story, which currently revolves around the superstar pairing of Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
While the “what if” scenario is intriguing, Tyrese Haliburton’s journey through Sacramento and Indiana has been transformative. In 2023, he secured his first NBA All-Star Game spot as an Eastern Conference reserve guard. He joined the elite group of players averaging 20+ points and 10+ assists while maintaining remarkable accuracy from beyond the arc.
Haliburton’s future looks bright, with a max contract extension agreement worth potentially $260 million over five years. At the age of 23, he’s also making his mark on the international stage, contributing to the United States Men’s National Team at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Mark Cuban’s revelation on ‘The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone’ provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of NBA draft strategies and the twists of fate that can shape a player’s career. Tyrese Haliburton’s journey from being a near-Maverick to a rising star in the NBA is a testament to both his talent and the unpredictability of the basketball world. As fans eagerly await the full episode, one thing is certain: the NBA universe is filled with captivating stories waiting to be told.
