In a deal that would reshape NBA contract history, anonymous league sources say Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers are in advanced talks on a jaw-dropping 14-year, $500 million super-max deal, set to kick in with the 2026–27 season.
If finalized, this contract would:
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Shatter the current NBA record for total dollars, surpassing even the largest super-max extensions.
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Extend Haliburton’s career in Indiana through age 39 or 40, cementing a franchise cornerstone despite missing the entire 2025–26 season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon
- Send a clear message: Indiana remains fully committed to Haliburton as their long-term face of the franchise.
What We Know So Far
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The 14-year term reportedly runs from 2026–2027 through at least 2039–2040, coinciding roughly with Haliburton’s late 30s.
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The deal’s $500 million total would blow past current super-max benchmarks—Nikola Jokić ($264M), Luka Dončić (~$370M), and others—though structures with full ratchets and incentives could push it even higher.
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Pacers brass see this as a way to lock in the team leader who guided them to their first Finals appearance since 2000, even as he rehabs the injury.
Why It’s Huge
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Record-breaking scale: No contract has hit half a billion dollars before. This sets a new NBA pay ceiling.
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Franchise stability: Secures the Pacers’ star guard and preserves their core once he’s healthy.
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League ripple effect: Expected to shift the market for super-max players league-wide.
🛑 But Proceed With Caution
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Sources unconfirmed: No official announcement from the Pacers, NBA, or Haliburton camp.
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Timing unclear: Likely conditional on full clearance and recovery by spring 2026.
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Financial flexibility: A deal like this could handcuff Indiana’s salary cap and limit future moves.
đź“… Timeline & What Comes Next
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Late 2025–early 2026: Expect negotiations to finalize structure and terms.
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Post-recovery: A physical and health check will be key—expected Achilles return dates range from early to mid-2026.
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Official reveal: NBA likely to wait until contract year activation, aligning with offseason announcements in 2026.
🕵️‍♂️ Bottom Line
If confirmed, this deal would redefine maximum contracts in the NBA, locking Tyrese Haliburton into a half-century earning trajectory and signaling Indiana’s long-term belief in his leadership—even through injury adversity.
But until official confirmation is released, the blockbuster figures remain speculative. Stay tuned for updates as the 2026 offseason approaches.
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