"Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon has heeded Larry Bird's private and public proclamations that Bird is working his final year as the team's president, that his staying through the lockout had been a favor to his boss. As Simon investigates possible succession plans, there's one candidate emerging over everyone else: Pacers legend Reggie Miller.

Simon has been canvassing people he respects – including his longtime former general manager Donnie Walsh – for opinions about how they believe Miller would do with the transition from television to management. Several people with longstanding ties to Miller and the Pacers are pushing Miller to pursue the job, and as one tells Yahoo! Sports: "He's going to look hard at this, if it's presented in the right way."

Simon has considered this possibility for several years, sources said, and thinks the timing could be right to groom Miller to run his basketball operations. This is likely Miller's one chance to ever run a team. And where else would he rather do it, but in the city, the state, where he became basketball royalty?

Nevertheless, there's risk for everyone. Miller has a cushy national TV analyst's job with TNT, and he'd have to jeopardize his standing as an iconic Indiana figure. He's the greatest, most beloved player in Pacers history. He'll take hits upstairs that he never had to take on the court.

Simon has always been most comfortable hiring people he knows and trusts, people that resonate within the Indiana basketball culture. From French Lick's Larry Bird to Indiana Hoosier legend Isiah Thomas, he's never been afraid to take a chance with legendary names for his most important jobs. And the reason Simon could bring Miller, with no executive experience, to the Pacers is the same reason he brought Bird and Thomas to Indianapolis: the chance for Walsh to mentor Miller."