ESPN's Dean Oliver argues Tyrese Haliburton has a case as the best player from the 2020 NBA Draft over Anthony Edwards.
ESPN published its Indiana Pacers entry Friday in a 30-team offseason series, and analytics writer Dean Oliver used his section to argue Tyrese Haliburton has a case as the best player from the 2020 NBA Draft.
That would put him ahead of Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 pick that year.
Oliver noted that Edwards scores more and has made the All-NBA Second Team, while Haliburton's honors have come on the Third Team. But in most of the player metrics Oliver referenced, Haliburton comes out ahead.
He rates higher in EPM, LEBRON, xRAPM, and ESPN's Net Points, though not in DARKO.
Haliburton Has Case as Best Player From 2020 Draft
Sacramento took Haliburton 12th in 2020. Minnesota selected Edwards first.
In February 2022, the Kings sent Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson to Indiana in the trade that moved Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento.
Haliburton hasn't played since Game 7 of the 2025 Finals. He tore his right Achilles in the first quarter against Oklahoma City, and the Thunder won 103-91 to take the championship. Haliburton underwent surgery the next day.
In 2024-25, he played 73 games and averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 9.2 assists. He shot 47.3% from the field and 38.8% from 3-point range.
That season ended with his second All-NBA Third Team selection. Haliburton also has two All-Star appearances, in 2023 and 2024.
As a Pacer, he is averaging 19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 10.1 assists.
Pacers Offense Fell Without Haliburton
Indiana went 19-63 without him. The 63 losses set a franchise record, one season after the Pacers won 50 games and reached the Finals.
ESPN's Andre Snellings pulled the team assist numbers for the same preview.
The Pacers ranked 12th in the league last season at 27.7 assists per game. They had ranked third at 29.2 the season before that, and first at 30.8 the year before.
Snellings projects Indiana back near the top of the category with Haliburton running Pacers coach Rick Carlisle's motion offense.
Haliburton Extension Could Come Next
Extension talks with Haliburton and Pascal Siakam could come next, according to Zach Kram's section of the preview.
Kram did not consider either situation pressing, with both players under contract for multiple years.
Haliburton signed a five-year, $244 million extension in July 2023. He is set to make $48.9 million this season, $52.3 million in 2027-28, and $55.7 million in 2028-29.
On Aug. 12, Haliburton told reporters he would be ready if the season started that day.
Another ESPN piece this month, by Jamal Collier, raised the possibility that Indiana eases him in to start the year.
Pacers training camp opens Sept. 29. Indiana opens the regular season Oct. 21 at New Orleans and hosts the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 23.
