Tyrese Haliburton says Pacers' Deandre Ayton chase shows Indiana 'aggressive to compete.'

The Pacers gave it a shot but came up emptyhanded in their pursuit of Suns star Deandre Ayton. Indiana signed the restricted free agent center to a four-year, $133 million max offer sheet — the largest in league history — but Phoenix quickly matched it to retain the 2018 No. 1 overall pick.

Alex Golden and Mike Facci recently hosted Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton on their "Setting The Pace" podcast to discuss Ayton, No. 6 pick Bennedict Mathurin, Haliburton's goals for the 2022-23 season and more.

'Respect to the Pacers.'Deandre Ayton thanks Indiana for signing him to offer sheet

Here are a few excerpts from the interview, which can be listened to via Apple Podcasts and Spotify:

Context: Ayton would've been arguably the biggest free agent signing in Pacers history. The 23-year-old averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting a career-high 63.4% in 58 games last season. He's averaged 16.3 points and 10.5 rebounds through his first four seasons and would've made a strong one-two punch alongside Haliburton.

Question: What was your reaction to hearing the Pacers offered Deandre Ayton the largest offer sheet in NBA history?

INSIDER:Pacers tried, missed on Deandre Ayton; what's next for the franchise?

Answer: I think that we're aggressive. Our front office is aggressive to want to get back in the playoffs. It's an organization that, like I talked about earlier, feels like for the majority of my lifetime has perennially been in the playoffs. They're aggressive to get back. They're aggressive to compete for championships, as they should be, as any organization should be. And obviously they offered DA that deal and he accepted it. I think it would've been beneficial because he's a great player, but Phoenix obviously matched as they probably should and you just kind of move on from it.

Context: Mathurin is the Pacers' highest draft pick since 1988 and first single-digit pick since 1989. The former Arizona standout was the 2022 Pac-12 Player of the Year and a consensus second team All-American. He averaged 19.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in three Summer League games, earning All-Summer League Second Team honors.

Question: Can you speak a little bit about, to the fanbase, what it's gonna be like playing with Bennedict Mathurin for years to come?

Answer: I think it's a really good fit. One, as people, I think it's a great match in the sense of like we approach the game in different ways. We approach a lot of things in different ways, where I'm more of a vocal guy. He's more of a lead by example... He's used to playing off the ball, which is gonna work well with me because obviously you guys know I'm gonna have the ball in my hands a lot, so just figuring out how to play off me. I think he's a really talented cutter and physically he's really gifted. You guys see he's a strong guy and that's gonna allow him to guard multiple positions.

Context: Haliburton was drafted 12th overall by Sacramento in 2020 and was a Rookie of the Year finalist. The 6-5 point guard was traded to Indiana last season in exchange for two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis. Haliburton averaged 17.5 points and 9.6 assists in 26 games for the Pacers and will have even more responsibility after the team traded veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics.

Question: Going into this year, what goals do you have set up for yourself?

Answer: I haven't necessarily written them down yet, but I want to be a 20 (points) and 10 (assists) guy. I want to be an All-Star, plain and simple. Those are the two biggest things for me. Individually, that's what's on my mind going into the season.

Facci and Golden also spoke to Haliburton about what former Pacers player he'd most want to play with, his relationship with Rick Carlisle, the best and worst dressers on the team and his love of WWE.