Former Golden State Warriors' General Manager Bob Myers has revealed he's still bothered by his decision to overlook Indiana Pacers' guard Tyrese Haliburton in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Myers and the Warriors, having come off a league-worst 15-50 record in 2019-20, selected seven-foot center James Wiseman with the second overall pick. That resulted as a monumental mistake, with Wiseman traded by the franchise after just 60 games in nearly three seasons.
Bob Myers says he "should have known" after the Golden State Warriors met with Tyrese Haliburton prior to the 2020 Draft
Speaking on NBA countdown ahead of the first In-Season Tournament Semifinal between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks, Myers revealed it was his conversation with Haliburton, not just his workout, that bothers him most looking back.
""I should have known then because of who he is as a person and as a leader. That conversation left a mark because of how smart he is and how confident -- it's not fake, it's not arrogant -- it's confidence," Myers said."
In Myers and Golden State's defense, they weren't the only team to pass on the 6'5" point-guard. Haliburton ended up going 12th overall to the Sacramento Kings, before he was traded to the Pacers in February 2022.
Haliburton's game has gone from strength-to-strength each year in the league. He became an All-Star for the first time last season, averaging 20.7 points and 10.4 assists on 49% shooting including 40% from three-point range.
The 23-year-old has risen into truly elite status so far this season, having averaged nearly 27 points and over 12 assists per game while shooting over 50% from the floor and 44% from beyond the arc.
Haliburton's stardom took another leap on Thursday, recording 27 points, seven rebounds and 15 assists to lead the Pacers past the Bucks and into a place in the inaugural NBA Cup Final on Saturday.