NBA legend Carmelo Anthony tried to get the New York Knicks to draft Tyrese Haliburton, who now plays for the Indiana Pacers.

The Knicks had the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and selected Obi Toppin. Haliburton was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 12th pick. He was traded to the Pacers in February 2022 and has turned into one of the best players in the NBA.

Anthony was an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2020. There were rumors about him going back to the Knicks, but the NBA icon wound up re-signing with the Portland Trail Blazers.

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Carmelo Anthony, Tyrese Haliburton, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers Updates

Toppin never turned into a star with the Knicks because he played behind Julius Randle. New York traded Toppin to the Pacers last offseason, so Indiana now has Haliburton and Toppin.

Meanwhile, the Knicks have a “Big 3” of Randle, RJ Barrett and Jalen Brunson. While Haliburton would have looked good playing in a New York uniform, Brunson has established himself as one of the top point guards in the NBA.

For the Pacers, Haliburton is averaging 26.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 12.3 assists while shooting 52.1% from the field, 44.3% from beyond the arc and 88.5% from the free-throw line. He is well on his way to making his second All-Star team.

NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Carmelo Anthony, Tyrese Haliburton, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers Updates

Anthony, who finished his NBA career with averages of 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Although his Knicks tenure didn’t end smoothly, Anthony will always bleed blue and orange, which is why he tried to get Haliburton on the Knicks.

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