JULY 25: The Pacers have officially re-signed Johnson, the team confirmed today in a press release.
JULY 24: The Pacers are bringing back James Johnson, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link), who hears from agent Mark Bartelstein that the veteran forward has agreed to a one-year, $3.3MM deal with Indiana.
Johnson, 37, has played for 10 NBA teams since entering the league as the 16th overall pick in the 2009 draft, but he hasn’t signed with any club besides the Pacers since September 2022. He has been on and off Indiana’s roster since his initial arrival — this will be the seventh contract he has signed with the team in the last two years.
Johnson has only appeared in 27 games as a Pacer, averaging a modest 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.7 minutes per game during those outings. However, he’s valued within the organization for his toughness, veteran leadership, and presence in the locker room.
The minimum salary for a player with Johnson’s years of service is $3,303,771, so it’s safe to assume that’s what his contract will be worth. The Pacers will carry a cap hit of $2,087,519, with the league picking up the balance.
It’s unclear if the deal will be fully guaranteed. Last season, Johnson signed a non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract with the Pacers in December, was waived in January before it became fully guaranteed, then was brought back on a pair of two-way contracts and eventually a rest-of-season agreement.
Prior to officially signing Johnson, the Pacers are carrying 12 players on fully guaranteed salaries for 2024/25, with James Wiseman on a partially guaranteed deal and Kendall Brown on a non-guaranteed contract.
The modern day Kendrick Perkins. Doesn’t offer anything on the court, but is the bodyguard.
Modern day Perkins?
They’re pretty much the same age.
**2009 draft
He’s there for intimidation, a veteran voice.
Some funny stories about Bloodsport, from his old team mates.
Finally veterans are being considered important again
Yeah, especially ones who never play.
That mentorship is important. It’s better than another clueless player jacking up 3s as your 15 man
One of the last few thorough breeds left.
Now we have a bunch of nerds with arm sleeve tattoos