"MFs had Haliburton" - NBA fans react to Kings targeting Trae Young and Darius Garland, years after trading their PG duo

The Sacramento Kings are once again the subject of trade rumors this offseason. Their search for a point guard has seen them being linked to Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young and Cleveland Cavaliers' Darius Garland, according to a report by league insider Grant Afseth on Tuesday.

The rumored interest in the two All-Stars has triggered a frenzy on social media. A fan on X (formerly called Twitter) called out the Kings after they let go of their No. 12 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, Tyrese Haliburton.

Sticker Dood

@EtanBoss

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These mf had haliburton lol

Other users on X shared the same sentiment.

DraftKings Network

@DKNetwork

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It’s almost like they had TWO long-term solutions at PG and traded them both away

JBond

@jbondwagon

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Wow. Kings really desperate for a point guard. Imagine if they had someone like Haliburton or Fox 🤔

CJ James

@cjames9_

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Kings had Fox & Haliburton. Traded both & now they’re looking for a PG. Comedic franchise 😭

The banter kept coming.

Point Made Basketball

@pointmadebball

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This is what losing Haliburton and Fox does to a franchise :(

MCK1972

@Mattkowals38746

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Trading away point guards like Fox and Halliburton may have contributed to that problem that now needs a long-term solution…

It’s like they want to be a dysfunctional franchise…they’ve been the Kings since 1985 and have made the playoffs only 11 times…

Although the season isn’t over yet, the trade rumors have actively begun. After trading De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, the Kings have doubled their efforts in replacing him with a star point guard.

Darius Garland is their preferred target, but it’s a scenario that won’t be easy. Garland is under contract for three more seasons, with $39.4 million, $42.2 million and $44.9 million slated for the next three years. However, his recent toe surgery might impact his availability for the start of the regular season.

The two-time All-Star averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game last season. He played a key role as the Cavaliers secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

The other target, Trae Young, averaged 24.2 ppg and 11.6 apg last season. However, his efficiency was a concern, shooting 41.1% from the field and 34.0% from 3.

While he would be a viable option, the Kings general manager, Scott Perry, expressed reservations about Young's contract, which includes a $46 million salary for next season and a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

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What's next for the Sacramento Kings ahead of the 2025/26 season?

The Sacramento Kings will be wondering how they got it wrong in their past trade deals. Their active search for a point guard after losing the talents of De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton must hurt.

Former teammates Tyrese Haliburton and De'Aaron Fox - Source: Getty

Haliburton is making waves with the Indiana Pacers as they bid for their first league title. Fox, on the other hand, is building a strong trio at San Antonio alongside Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle.

The Kings don't have a first-round pick as they were stuck in the 13th spot. It was a top-12 protected pick and was conveyed to the Atlanta Hawks. They would have to select for a second-round pick at No. 42.

Their trade deals would tell if they aim to do better than the ninth-placed finish.