Tyrese Haliburton Snubbed by Bulls in 2020 as Former Executive’s Patrick Williams Gamble Ages Poorly

In 2020, Tyrese Haliburton had an opportunity to join the Chicago Bulls. When Haliburton was drafted, a number of teams passed on him. Most teams made a mistake because he turned out to be one of the best players in the draft class, appearing in two All-Star Games. He also helped the Indiana Pacers advance to the 2025 NBA Finals before he suffered an Achilles injury.

Ultimately, the Sacramento Kings drafted Haliburton with the No. 12 pick. However, he only spent a season and a half before they shipped him to Indiana.

On Sunday, it was reported by Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times that the Bulls wanted to draft Haliburton. However, then-executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas was high on Patrick Williams. Eventually, the franchise drafted Williams with the No. 4 pick.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts to a dunk in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

“Karnisovas settled on Patrick Williams with the No. 4 pick in 2020, while multiple scouts and most of the draft room wanted Tyrese Haliburton,” Cowley wrote.

Most of the Bulls scouts and draft room wanted to pick Tyrese Haliburton but Arturas Karnisovas was fixated on Patrick Williams, per @JCowleyHoops

“Karnisovas didn’t even think Haliburton would be a top-four talent on the Bulls’ roster at the time.”

(https://t.co/TYPVIsQKBf) pic.twitter.com/goh6TjiUD8

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) August 30, 2026

Karnisovas not only was fixated on Williams, but he didn’t even consider Haliburton a serious prospect. A source indicated that Karnisovas didn’t even think Haliburton would be a top-four talent on the Bulls’ roster at the time.

Aside from the Bulls, the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Wizards also thought of drafting Tyrese Haliburton. The Kings already drafted the 6-foot-5 guard with the No. 18 pick when it was the Mavericks’ turn. The Wizards, meanwhile, had the No. 9 pick and used it to draft Deni Avdija.

Things worked out for Haliburton, as he became part of the Pacers’ core after his short stint with the Kings.

The Suns Missed Out on Drafting Tyrese Haliburton

Last week, Tyrese Haliburton appeared as a guest on “Numbers on the Board” and revealed that he wanted the Phoenix Suns to draft him. Haliburton said that he wanted to form a dynamic backcourt with Devin Booker, who had just finished his fifth season in the league at the time.

“We were calling Phoenix,” he said. “‘Cause, ‘Y’all need a PG.’ I was trying to play with D-Book. ‘Let me go play with Book.’ And they were like, ’We’re drafting a power forward’.”

Tyrese Haliburton says he wanted to be drafted by the Suns to play with Book:

“I was calling Phoenix… Like ya’ll need a PG.”

6 years later, and the Suns still need a PG. pic.twitter.com/xYSSbaS04J

— SleeperSuns (@SleeperSuns) August 23, 2026

The Suns had the No. 10 pick that year and used it to draft Jalen Smith. The big man did not stay in Phoenix for long and was only there for a season and a half. Smith was traded to the Pacers and eventually became Haliburton’s teammate.

Haliburton could have formed a strong backcourt duo with Booker in Phoenix, but James Jones, their former general manager, had different plans.

More NBA News:

• Tyrese Haliburton Reveals He Wanted Suns to Draft Him With No. 10 Pick to Team Up With Devin Booker
• Tyrese Haliburton Makes Bold Declaration on His Return to the Court: “0 Will Be Back”
• Tyrese Haliburton’s Shocking Kings Admission Hits Different After Sacramento Traded Him in His 2nd Season
• Tyrese Haliburton Reveals How Warriors Made Him Believe He’d Be the No. 2 Pick