JJ Redick apologizes to Kings for Sabonis and Haliburton trade slander

After Kings slander, NBA analyst JJ Redick has owned up to his comments

Almost a year ago, former NBA player now analyst JJ Redick blasted the Kings for trading Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis. Now the analyst is apologizing for his words.

Redick’s comments on the Haliburton and Sabonis swap

Last trade deadline, the Kings and Pacers essentially swapped their two stars in Haliburton and Sabonis. In the midst of the deadline, Redick wasn’t too pleased with the King’s trading Haliburton in thinking he was their best player.

“If we look at counting stats, yes, De’Aaron Fox averages more points, I understand that,” Redick said on his podcast last February, via NBC Sports. “There’s really no statistical measure that you can look at this season that doesn’t say Tyrese Haliburton has been the best player for the Kings.”

“All of the all-encompassing advanced stats, single metric stats, who’s the best player? It’s been Tyrese. And the second-best player on the team for the Kings this year has been Harrison [Barnes]. That is a fact,” Redick said, via NBC Sports. “I don’t give a f–k how many points a guy averages. That doesn’t mean s–t. Tyrese Haliburton plays basketball exactly how basketball should be played.”

Tyrese Haliburton says the Sacramento Kings have ‘zero culture’

Redick’s apology on the trade:

Now Redick finds himself apologising for thinking the Kings lost this trade when trading away Haliburton, now saying it is a win-win scenario.

“I just want to be accountable for some things I said at the trade deadline last year,” Redick said on his podcast “The Old Man and the Three” on Monday, via NBC Sports. “In the context of the trade deadline, I didn’t like the trade. I should have not used the word ‘malpractice’ and I apologize for that.” 

“I apologize to the Sacramento Kings fan base and I apologize for that to Monte McNair,” Redick said, via NBC Sports. “This trade has turned into a win-win.” 

Currently, Sacramento sits almost atop of the Western Conference at third place. They only stand behind the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets. Sabonis has been a huge part of the King’s electric offense this season in averaging 19 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 7.1 assists on 61% shooting. The Kings will look to keep surprising the NBA this season and make a deep playoff run in April. Light the beam.

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