​LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers acknowledges fans following the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. GettyOff to the side and enjoying vacation, the Indiana Pacers were preparing for a resurgent 2026-27 season before suddenly being thrust into the LeBron James saga. Is Indiana really in play for The King? AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Pacers have been out of many fans’ minds after a forgettable 2025-26 season. Without Tyrese Haliburton, who missed the entire year with a torn Achilles tendon, the Pacers bottomed out and essentially threw in the towel well before the turn of the calendar. But we can’t let one year fool us into thinking Indiana can’t be championship-caliber again as soon as next season. Especially if the franchise somehow stumbles upon a contract for the league’s all time leading scorer.LeBron JamesGettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers acknowledges fans following the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJames, the league’s oldest player, has kept the NBA world guessing for two weeks. After the 22-time All-Star informed the Los Angeles Lakers he plans to play elsewhere next season, a world of speculation opened up over where James will play next season. Are the Pacers in the race for the four-time MVP? Speaking on Bleacher Report’s NBA insider notebook live stream, reporter Jake Fischer weighed in on the Pacers’ potential as a suitor for James.“That is an interesting question,” Fischer said. “I think, just off top of mind because I have not asked why they haven’t been considered, the Pacers are a pretty rounded out lineup right where they made their big midseason acquisition last year of Ivica Zubac and they’ve got Tyrese Halburton back on the fold coming back from his Achilles, Pascal Siakam is their starting forward, they love Andrew Nembhard. They don’t really have a power forward frontcourt position open for LeBron right now.”Fischer explained the Pacers don’t quite stack up with the likes of Miami, Cleveland or Philadelphia because Indiana cannot cleanly insert James into its lineup. Even the Minnesota Timberwolves, another team strongly hoping to land James, has a vacancy at the power forward position that James can seamlessly fill.LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile the Pacers’ championship odds would instantly skyrocket with James on the roster, the franchise likely can’t sell James on a pitch like others can. Especially considering there hasn’t been a substantial link between the Pacers and James over the 41-year-old’s iconic career.“There’s no real tie to Indiana for LeBron at this point in time,” Fischer conveyed. “Halburton was like the last guy on the Olympic team.