The crazy way the Indiana Pacers could possibly land LeBron James next season
By Ryan Stano
The Indiana Pacers rarely get big stars to come and play in Indiana. They have to develop stars through the Draft. This isn't news to anyone who is a fan of a small-market team. That's how things typically work in the NBA. The Pacers traded for two stars in the last two years too, utilizing the other tool they have to get stars.
Yet, the Pacers don't have a true superstar. Tyrese Haliburton has a chance to develop into one, but he's not quite there yet. He's still very young and is on the trajectory to get there at some point soon. Siakam is a star but doesn't quite have superstar potential.
LeBron James is an NBA superstar even though he's out of his prime. He's still arguably a top-15 player in the league and can still put up some big numbers. He still has one or two more years left in him too. His play even at the age of 40 would be better than 85% of the other players in the league.
How the Indiana Pacers can land LeBron James in 2024-25
It would take a miracle for the Pacers to land someone of his talent...or would it? There is a crazy way that the Pacers could land him and it's certainly conceivable. It has to do with his son Bronny James, who just declared for the Draft and also put his name in the transfer portal.
Bronny is not a good NBA prospect right now. He averaged less than five points per game off the bench for USC. But a team can draft him in the hopes of LeBron wanting to play with his son bad enough to opt out of his contract with the Lakers next season.
LeBron has a $51.4 million player option next season with the Lakers. He could opt out and sign with another team if he so chooses. Would he take a pay cut to be the first dad to ever play with his son on an NBA team?
That's how the Pacers could nab him. Indiana has three second-round picks in this year's Draft. Why not use one of them on Bronny and take a flier to get his dad? I think it would be a worthwhile gamble to get LeBron to sign with the Pacers for a year or two and chase a title.
Unfortunately, I don't think this is going to happen though. LeBron doesn't like the Pacers. In fact, he revels in beating them. I think he would make his son demand a trade if Indiana drafted him so he could play with him somewhere else, despite the Pacers being a title contender if LeBron were to join them.
Next. Next story. 3 things Pacers fans should root for, 2 they should root against. dark
Even so, crazier things have happened, right?