The NBA announced its 2024 All-NBA teams on Wednesday, with Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers making the Third Team. Haliburton led the league in assists despite missing 13 games and was among the best players for the first part of the season, averaging 24.2 points and 12.7 assists per game before an injury in January. He is the sixth player in Pacers history to make an All-NBA team and netted 75 votes for the Third Team.
Haliburton finished the season averaging 20.1 points and 10.9 assists per game, and he currently has the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. In the playoffs, he is averaging 19.3 points and 8.2 assists per game and has been praised by fellow NBA players for his skill on the court. Making the All-NBA team also comes with significant financial benefits for Haliburton due to the Higher Max Criteria stipulations in his contract extension he signed last season.
By making the All-NBA Third Team, Haliburton will now start his contract extension at 30% of the salary cap instead of 25%, resulting in a significant increase in earnings. His extension is for five seasons with no player option and has a 15% trade kicker. The exact salary figures will depend on the salary cap for the 2024-25 season, which is projected to be around $141 million. If the projections hold true, Haliburton’s extension will be worth $245.34 million over five years, with the first season salary at $42.3 million.
Had Haliburton not made the All-NBA team, the total value of his extension would have been $204.45 million, with the first year salary at $35.25 million. Making the All-NBA team earned Haliburton an extra $40.89 million based on current projections. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle believes Haliburton deserved a higher spot on the All-NBA teams, further emphasizing his value to the team.
With Haliburton solidifying his spot on the All-NBA team, the Pacers can now focus on building around him to improve the team in the upcoming season. The team has gained valuable insights into what works in the postseason around Haliburton and will make informed decisions in the offseason. The front office now has a clearer financial picture heading into the offseason, allowing them to make strategic moves to enhance the team’s performance.
