2 Former Kings thriving elsewhere, 1 struggling to start 2023-24

NBA players are not just tiny humans that we watch play basketball on TV. They are real people with their individual personalities and stories. Thus, it is natural for fans to grow attached to certain players.

Unfortunately, it is rare for players to stay with the same team for the majority of their career, meaning that they will most likely move on eventually, no matter how beloved they are by the fanbase. 

Even if you don’t watch other teams a lot or find the mass of NBA news out there too overwhelming, it doesn’t hurt to keep tabs on former players. So, here are two former Kings who are thriving elsewhere to start the season and one who is struggling.

Thriving: Tyrese Haliburton 

The Kings selected Tyrese Haliburton with the 12th overall pick in 2020 as a part of their rebuild. The two-guard backcourt with him and De’Aaron Fox did not work out too well, however, so the Kings sent Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson to the Pacers in the deal that brought over Domantas Sabonis. 

It was a rare win-win trade. The Kings finally made the playoffs, and the Pacers got a centerpiece for their rebuild. Haliburton has not disappointed.

In Sacramento, he never eclipsed 15 points. Now he is averaging 24.7 points on incredibly efficient shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 12.5 assists, and 1.1 steals. These numbers mark career-highs in points, shot attempts, shooting efficiency all across the board, and assists. 

Last season, he made his first All-Star appearance and he has a solid case once again. The Pacers are off to a good start and his 12.5 assists per game currently lead the league. 

Haliburton really came into his own once he arrived in Indiana and he is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. If the Kings and De’Aaron Fox weren’t so successful, seeing him thrive somewhere else would surely hurt.