The last few days in the NBA offseason have provided the hoops community with a head-spinning trade updates. Among the surprises was Tyrese Haliburton raking up the second-biggest NBA contract of all-time. The rising star even received a congratulatory video call from boxing legend Floyd Mayweather. Days after that call, the NBA star turned emotional during a presser while praising his mother. 

The Indiana Pacers have had underwhelming outings in the last three seasons as they failed to qualify to the playoffs in all three seasons. Despite their poor run, the team has showed its faith in Tyrese Haliburton and pulled off a massive contract, only $10 million short of Nikola Jokic’s ‘Supermax’ contract. 

Tyrese Haliburton’s ode to mother

Trade reports recently hit the hoops fans with Tyrese Haliburton’s agreement to a 5-year rookie extension contract of $207,000,000 at a salary cap of 25%. However, under the ‘Rose Rule’, Haliburton met the special rookie criteria, and the contract escalated to $260,000,000, becoming the second-biggest NBA contract.

Notably, the contract begins at the 2024-25 season. After playing a supporting role at the Sacramento Kings, the 23-year-old rose up to a franchise star in less than four seasons. 

While addressing the press after signing the contract, the NBA star credited his mother during his emotional speech. He said, “My mom has been my everything for me to get here… Just really appreciative of you mom because of, you know, all the stuff of us growing up, and pushing me to…  So I love you, and I’m really appreciative of you.”

Haliburton earlier shared a screenshot of video call with Floyd Mayweather after pulling off a major deal. 

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Despite the number games and contracts, there are various rules in the sporting world that even many avid sports fans will never know. One such rule is the ‘Rose Rule’, named after the NBA star Derrick Rose.

What is the ‘Rose Rule’?

This rule allows the franchise to compensate their players if they come out outstanding in their rookie contract. The franchise can offer a 30% salary cap instead of a 25% if the rookie fulfills certain criteria, reported Bleacher Report.

In Haliburton’s case, he made an NBA All-Star appearance before his fifth season. The rule got his name when Derrick Rose managed to earn a MVP trophy during his third NBA season at the age of 22. 

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The big contracts may look good on paper, but it adds a massive pressure on stars to match their expected performance. Only time will tell whether Haliburton can live up to that challenge as the coming season has already cast its shadow.