The Indiana Pacers have set themselves up to compete in the Eastern Conference next season. Tyrese Haliburton (if all goes well) will be healthy, Pascal Siakam will be ready to roll, and they’ve added Ivica Zubac. But a LeBron James problem may be staring them in the face. And if he joins the Cleveland Cavaliers, Haliburton will be directly in his line of fire.
During a recent appearance on the All-NBA Podcast, Marc Stein of The Stein Line noted that the Cavs are viewed as the team to beat in the James sweepstakes. If he joins the Cavaliers, not only would James be in the same conference as Haliburton, but he’d be in the same division.
That means Haliburton and the Pacers would have to worry about going up against James four times a year, and then maybe even in the playoffs.
Pacers shouldn't want LeBron James in their division
Obviously, at this point in his NBA life, James isn’t the player he once was. He’s 41 years old and entering the latter stages of his career. But he’s still one of the best players in the league.
James is still an All-Star, and wherever he lands this summer will get a major boost. If that team is the Cavaliers, they will be one of the favorites to make it out of the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland is one of six teams that are reportedly leading the race to land James this summer. They are joined by the Philadelphia 76ers, the Miami Heat, the Golden State Warriors, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Denver Nuggets.
Heading East would make the most sense for James. It would give him the best chance to compete for an NBA Championship, as the top-end talent isn’t quite as daunting (despite being home to the reigning champion New York Knicks).
But for Haliburton and the Pacers, it would be a disaster. If James joins the East, it would just make their life that much harder. And if he joins the Central Division, it would certainly be annoying.
Seeing James four times a year would certainly strengthen the Pacers’ schedule next season. A team of James, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen would be a beast of a squad.
Almost any other team James could join would be better for the Pacers from a schedule perspective. Having to play James that many times would just make their path to a title run that much harder.
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