Several members of the Chicago Bulls front office were enthusiastic about selecting Tyrese Haliburton in the 2020 NBA Draft but ultimately passed on him when making their No. 4 overall pick. This decision remains a sore point for Bulls fans, especially as Haliburton has become a key player for the Indiana Pacers, who are now contending in the NBA Finals.
In his first draft as Bulls executive, Arturas Karnisovas chose Patrick Williams at No. 4, a decision that has since been heavily questioned due to Williams falling short of expectations. Haliburton was not selected until the Sacramento Kings took him at No. 12, and he later joined the Pacers in a trade during his second season. Authoritative NBA reporter Nick Friedell revealed that within the Bulls’ front office, there was notable support for Haliburton during the decision-making process.
Inside the Bulls’ Interest in Tyrese Haliburton During the Draft
Despite the Bulls’ choice to pick Patrick Williams, multiple voices inside their organization had high regard for Haliburton and advocated for selecting him earlier. According to Nick Friedell,
“Haliburton had some voices in there. People were very, very high on him. It just didn’t happen. And Patrick Williams was the guy, and that’s a mess on it’s own. Specific to Haliburton, he had some big fans in that Bulls front office, and I know for sure his name was mentioned in the discussion.”
—Nick Friedell, NBA Reporter
Had the Bulls secured Haliburton with the fourth pick, their trajectory might have been different, especially facing off against Eastern Conference contenders like the Boston Celtics, whose coach Tom Thibodeau is now in charge of the Bulls. Some Bulls fans imagine an alternate outcome where Chicago could be competing deeper in the playoffs right now thanks to Haliburton’s playmaking skills.
Why Passing on Haliburton Was Not Unusual for the Bulls
The decision to select Patrick Williams over Haliburton was consistent with the consensus among several other teams in the 2020 draft, as ten franchises passed on Haliburton before the Kings chose him at No. 12. Notables such as the Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons also opted for players who have since faced criticism for not meeting expectations, including James Wiseman and Killian Hayes. Even the San Antonio Spurs, known for their astute talent evaluation, did not select Haliburton earlier.
While the Bulls clearly missed out on a player who has grown into a star capable of leading teams to consecutive Eastern Conference Finals, their decision reflected a shared uncertainty. It’s also uncertain whether the Pacers initially envisioned Haliburton to have such a substantial impact when they acquired him in the trade involving Domantas Sabonis.
The Bulls’ front office support of Haliburton suggests the complexity of draft-day evaluations. It’s reasonable to think that other players like Wiseman or Hayes also had enthusiastic backers within different organizations, underscoring the difficulty of predicting future success. The draft process involves balancing multiple opinions and assessments, often with unpredictable results.
Lessons From the Haliburton Draft Story for the Bulls Going Forward
The Haliburton experience highlights that talent evaluation at the draft is inherently uncertain, and sometimes hidden gems slip further down than expected. The Bulls currently hold the No. 12 pick in the upcoming draft, the same slot at which Haliburton was selected, presenting an opportunity to capitalize on a similar draft slide this June.
While Chicago’s decision-making in 2020 regarding Haliburton remains a source of frustration, it also serves as a reminder that value can be found throughout the draft order. This reality encourages the Bulls to be vigilant and flexible in their talent scouting and selection process to avoid repeating past disappointments as their roster evolves.
“Some portions” of the Bulls front office were “very, very high” on Tyrese Haliburton leading up to the 2020 NBA Draft and wanted the team to take him at No. 4 overall, @NickFriedell says. Those voices didn’t win out over Arturas Karnisovas’ choice to select Patrick Williams. —Nick Friedell, NBA Reporter