Pacers not expected to recruit LeBron James at Fanatics Fest

Tyrese Haliburton may be sharing the stage with LeBron James on Thursday. That doesn’t mean the Pacers are planning to make a recruiting pitch.

According to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of ScoopB.com, league and team sources insist Indiana has no plans to pursue James despite Haliburton joining him for a live recording of Mind the Game at Fanatics Fest in New York.

“Would it be great if we had LeBron? Yeah it would,” one Pacers source told Robinson. “But we don’t need LeBron James. We don’t need him with the youth we have on the roster. We are trying to make a name for ourselves.”

Speculation surrounding Indiana picked up after it was announced Haliburton would replace Steve Nash as James’ co-host for Thursday’s podcast recording (1:15 p.m. Eastern).

According to Robinson, however, the appearance is exactly that — a podcast appearance.

A source told ScoopB.com that while Haliburton would participate if the organization ever asked him to recruit James, the Pacers have no plans to do so.

Meanwhile, Robinson also reported that James continues to have concerns about Joel Embiid‘s long-term health as he evaluates Philadelphia among his free-agent options.

League sources continue to tell Hoops Wire that the Cavaliers are viewed as the frontrunner in the James sweepstakes, with the Warriors, Heat and 76ers all believed to be firmly in the mix.

Robinson’s wide-ranging feature also explores Indiana’s commitment to building around its young core, including Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Jarace Walker, while detailing the organization’s long-term vision under president Kevin Pritchard.

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