Pacers GM: We see Tyrese Haliburton as 'next Reggie Miller'

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Pacers GM Chad Buchanan on Tyrese Haliburton: 'We see him as hopefully being the next Reggie Miller'

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/19/22

Tyrese Haliburton made a significant impression on the Indiana Pacers after being acquired in a trade with the Sacramento Kings in February.

While Haliburton played in only 26 games, he was an immediate standout for Indiana.

After posting a losing record for the second consecutive season, the Pacers are looking for someone to lead them into a new era.

Pacers general manager Chad Buchanon believes Haliburton is the man to do it.

"We're gonna build our team around him," Buchanon told Basketball News' Alex Kennedy. "We see him as hopefully being the next Reggie Miller. We had a Reggie Miller mural painted on a building in downtown Indianapolis, and I think our dream is that one day Tyrese will have [his own] up somewhere in downtown Indianapolis."

The Pacers have given Tyrese Haliburton the keys to their franchise.

Chad Buchanan: “We're gonna build our team around him. We see him as hopefully the next Reggie Miller."@TyHaliburton22 opens up about the Kings' trade, Indy's future, his summer, more: https://t.co/4rdMdb3ena
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) August 19, 2022

Buchanon's words place some lofty expectations on the 22-year-old. However, Haliburton was impressive, even during his short time in a Pacers' uniform.

Haliburton averaged 17.6 points, 9.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals with the Pacers, playing just over 36 minutes per game.

For his part, Haliburton is taking the humble approach to being called the "face of the franchise."

"The way I look at it, that's not for me to decide," Haliburton said. "I guess that's more for fans and media to decide who that is, and if people say it's me, I guess I understand."

Drafted 12th overall by the Kings in 2020, the Pacers acquired Haliburton in a massive six-player deal that also sent Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson to Indiana.

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