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What does LeBron’s final four mean for the Pacers?

By Jonathan Matthes

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 26: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Lance Stephenson #1 of the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 26, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 26: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives around Lance Stephenson #1 of the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 26, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 5: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates on the bench with teammates during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena on March 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 112-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 5: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates on the bench with teammates during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Quicken Loans Arena on March 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pistons 112-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

LeBron James stays with the Cleveland Cavaliers

We are starting here because it’s the most boring. After all the anticipation and passive-aggressive Instagram posts, LeBron James stays at the shore of Lake Erie. This might not be a permanent long-term signing, James could just keep Cleveland’s feet to the fire by signing another short-term deal with a player option, as he’s been want to do.

If James stays, the Cavs would retain their status as Eastern Conference contender. But they need to improve (i.e. add someone who, you know, protects the rim). The Cavs have played in 15 games since their tradeapalooza on February 8, and the results have been less than stellar (they’re 8-7 since the deadline).

Positive: Larry Nance Jr. has been really damn good. He’s been their second best player since the trade. Jordan Clarkson has been pretty good too, but Nance is the breakout player. Ironically, this author made the case for Indiana trading for both Nance and Clarkson at the deadline. Admittedly the Lakers got a ton more in return from Cleveland than the Indiana suggestion. Negative: neither George Hill nor Rodney Hood have been all that impressive. The Cavs’ net rating with Hill on the floor is plus-2.9, tenth best on the team and his PIE (player impact estimate) is 5.4 13th on the team. Hood’s been a little better (plus-3.8, and a PIE of 6.5).

Another negative is that Cleveland has yet to figure their rotation out, and another wrench will get tossed into the mix when they have to shuffle everything whenever Kevin Love returns.

In other words, the gigantic Cavalier trade deadline has netted a mixed bag (at best) as a return. If James decides to stay home, he’ll be expecting a further shake up which will be tough to accomplish, but the Cav front office has done it before.

Impact on Pacers

Probably not much. Not only would it leave a Central Division rival still intact, but it takes their most intriguing pieces off of the table. Kevin Love? He’d be a nice fit with Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis.

He’d cost a lot, but basketball-wise it’d work. Love, however, should also fit well with Nance (who is absolutely not available). Cleveland does have $88.1 million commited to Hill, Tristan Thompson and Kyle Korver over the next two seasons, which isn’t exactly a savory allotment of funds. But outside of maybe Korver, the Pacers should have next to no interest.

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