How Rick Carlisle and the Mavericks Almost Drafted Tyrese Haliburton in

Rick Carlisle and the Mavericks Nearly Landed Tyrese Haliburton in the 2020 NBA Draft

In a story that resurfaced as Tyrese Haliburton shines on the biggest stage in the NBA, former Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle revealed a behind-the-scenes push to bring the guard to Dallas during the 2020 NBA Draft. Carlisle, now head coach of the Indiana Pacers, recently shared that Haliburton was the Mavericks’ top target in that draft, and that the team made serious efforts to trade up and select him.

At the time, Dallas held the 18th and 31st picks. Despite being well outside the range where Haliburton was expected to be taken, the Mavericks front office—under Carlisle and analytics consultant Haralabos Voulgaris—worked aggressively to explore packages that could move them into the lottery.

The team’s internal draft models reportedly rated Haliburton extremely high. They viewed him as a cerebral guard with a rare combination of playmaking, size, and character. Carlisle stated that they had him ranked at the top of their board and were determined to get him, no matter the cost.

The Mavericks even considered including guard Jalen Brunson, then a promising young player, as part of a deal to entice teams in the lottery to part with their picks. But time ran out. Before Dallas could complete a trade, the Sacramento Kings selected Haliburton with the twelfth pick.

That decision closed the door on Dallas’s pursuit. The Mavericks eventually selected Josh Green with the eighteenth pick and Tyrell Terry at thirty-one. Neither player made a significant impact in Dallas, and both were gone within a couple of seasons.

For Carlisle, missing out on Haliburton was especially frustrating. He had seen the vision of a dynamic backcourt pairing between Luka Dončić and Haliburton. He believed that the two could have played together seamlessly, combining high basketball IQ, shooting, and unselfishness.

The aftermath of that draft moment shaped Dallas in unintended ways. Brunson, who was nearly traded, eventually left the Mavericks in free agency, signing with the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, the team brought in Kyrie Irving to partner with Dončić, shifting their long-term direction.

Carlisle left the Mavericks in 2021 after thirteen seasons. He joined the Indiana Pacers and, ironically, found himself coaching Haliburton a year later after the guard was traded to Indiana in 2022. It was a long-delayed union of coach and player—but one Carlisle deeply appreciated.

Now coaching Haliburton in the NBA Finals, Carlisle reflected on what might have been. He praised Haliburton for his maturity, vision, and leadership—traits the Mavericks saw in him years earlier. He likened Haliburton’s game awareness to that of Luka Dončić and Jason Kidd.

The missed opportunity has become a “what if” moment for Mavericks fans. With Haliburton now a franchise cornerstone in Indiana, it’s clear the Mavericks had the right idea—but couldn’t execute the move in time.

Carlisle noted that Mark Cuban, then-owner of the Mavericks, was also fully behind the effort to draft Haliburton. “We tried like hell to get him,” Carlisle said. “We just couldn’t pull it off.”

Despite the failed attempt, the story highlights how much faith Dallas had in Haliburton’s potential, even before he played a minute in the league. Their evaluation was spot-on—Haliburton has blossomed into an All-Star and one of the league’s premier playmakers.

In Indiana, Haliburton has thrived under Carlisle’s guidance. The two share a mutual respect, and their partnership has helped lift the Pacers to their first Finals appearance in over two decades.

The bond between coach and player was evident throughout the playoffs, where Haliburton led Indiana with poise and maturity beyond his years. Carlisle has said he sees Haliburton as a true floor general, someone who brings out the best in his teammates.

Looking back, it’s not hard to imagine how different the NBA landscape might look if Dallas had pulled off the trade. A Dončić-Haliburton pairing could have rivaled any backcourt in the league.

Instead, Haliburton has found a home—and a mentor—in Indiana. And while Dallas continues its own pursuit of a championship, the tale of the 2020 draft remains a pivotal moment in both franchises’ histories.

For Carlisle, the story is personal. It’s not just about a draft pick that got away—it’s about recognizing greatness early and doing everything possible to bring it in. Even when that effort falls short, sometimes fate finds a way to bring talent and opportunity back together.