8 points, 9 seconds
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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 1: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers hug before the game on March 1, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 1: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers hug before the game on March 1, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Philadelphia 76ers

By not resigning J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson, Philadelphia would have the space to sign James outright. And if he wants to find a good and young team, he wouldn’t need to look much further. They have Joel Embiid, they have a four who can do some floor stretching (Dario Saric), they have a wing who can do some floor stretching (Robert Covington) and they have a point guard who can do everything but floor-stretching (Ben Simmons). They also have a guard who can’t do anything at all (Markelle Fultz) but that’s neither here nor there.

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The Sixers with LeBron would be tantalizing because of the one-two punch of James and Embiid. But it would also be tantalizing because of the risks too. Embiid has played in 25 more games this year than he played in his first three years combined. Simmons has made exactly as many threes this year, in the NBA, as I have (hint, it’s not a lot). Simmons would become much easier to defend if he was moved off the ball. And no one knows what’s happening with Fultz.

James going to Philly isn’t a lock that it will result in a title, but the potential of them summiting the league can’t be dismissed either. Philadelphia would need to add shooters to their roster. They might even need to acquire a backup for Embiid because without him Philly would become rather one dimensional.

And then there is Simmons. The Australian is undoubtedly a major part of the draw in favor of Philadelphia, but his presence on the floor would also be a reason to doubt it’s possible success. What Simmons does well (drive/create for others with the ball in his hand) is exactly what James does well. The other major problem and I hinted at this earlier, Simmons does not stretch the floor at all. The furthest away shot he made this year was a 20-footer, in February, against the Heat. Yikes. If they didn’t move Simmons, they’d have to stager his minutes with James to be successful.

Next: The Pacers have the third toughest schedule ahead

Impact on Pacers

Addition by subtraction. James would no longer be in Cleveland, which would make Indiana the favorite in the Central. Maybe Indiana could make a run at signing JJ Redick, although Philly would have a really strong counter-argument (play with LeBron James). Maybe wings like Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot or Justin Anderson could be available, but that’s not going to raise the needle.

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