Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton recently confirmed the Washington Wizards were a potential destination for him during the 2020 NBA Draft. This revelation comes as the Wizards navigate a difficult stretch, having lost their last five games, including a 130-117 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 12, 2026. Haliburton's ascent with the Pacers contrasts sharply with Washington's ongoing rebuild, making the draft night scenario a significant what-if for the franchise.
What did Tyrese Haliburton say about the draft?
On a podcast last week, Haliburton explained his draft night mindset. He told both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks not to select him because they already had young star point guards in Darius Garland and Trae Young. Haliburton admitted, however, that he saw a real chance of landing with the Washington Wizards. That possibility emerged after a rumor surfaced that the Detroit Pistons, picking seventh, might take Deni Avdija.
Haliburton said the Wizards called him when that rumor spread. If Detroit had chosen Avdija, it would have shifted Washington's plans at the ninth pick. The Wizards still had John Wall on their roster then, a situation Haliburton did not prefer. He also didn't view the New York Knicks at pick eight as a realistic spot, believing they would draft Obi Toppin.
How did the 2020 draft actually unfold for Washington?
The Pistons ultimately selected Killian Hayes with the seventh pick. That decision allowed the Washington Wizards to choose Deni Avdija with the ninth overall selection. Haliburton fell to the Sacramento Kings at pick twelve before his career took off following a trade to the Indiana Pacers.
For Washington, Avdija developed into one of the previous front office's few draft successes. He progressed into a top scorer for the team, averaging double figures in his fourth and final season with the Wizards. Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Washington traded Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of their rebuild. The return included Malcolm Brogdon, the 2024 first-round pick that became Bub Carrington, and future picks including a 2029 first-rounder.
What is the current context for the Washington Wizards?
The team's present situation underscores the weight of past decisions. The Wizards are in a full rebuild, a process highlighted by their recent form. They have lost their last five consecutive games. Their most recent result was a 130-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 12, 2026. You can track their challenging season and upcoming schedule on our schedule page.
Imagining Haliburton in a Wizards jersey invites obvious questions. Would his development have been stunted playing behind John Wall, then Russell Westbrook, alongside Bradley Beal? Could his playmaking have helped the team avoid the three-year low that followed? While Avdija's trade brought back future assets, Haliburton's rise to All-NBA status represents a missed opportunity for a franchise seeking a cornerstone.
Now, the Wizards are building around a new core. The focus is on developing young players like Bub Carrington while managing a roster in transition. The upcoming 2026-27 regular season will be another test for this rebuilding project. Meanwhile, Haliburton and the Pacers are looking to return to the postseason, setting up an intriguing long-term comparison between the two paths taken on that 2020 draft night.
