Indiana Pacers sign veteran forward James Johnson

With coaching camp starting in a matter of days, the Indiana Pacers added to their roster, signing veteran ahead James Johnson.

Johnson, a 13-year veteran drafted again in 2009, would be the oldest participant on Indiana’s roster at 35 years of age. He spent final season with the Brooklyn Nets, the place he averaged 5.5 factors and three.5 rebounds per sport.

The Pacers lack gamers who can naturally play the ability ahead place. Oshae Brissett tasks to be the backup on the place, and he excels as a 4 man. However everybody else slated to get minutes on the place — Jalen Smith, the Pacers-named starter on the energy ahead spot, Terry Taylor, and Isaiah Jackson — have abilities which might be extra typical of facilities within the trendy NBA.

Johnson helps Indiana in that space. Energy ahead is his most pure place, so if the Pacers are preventing the damage bug or are in want of assist on the place throughout the season, he might be a candidate to get some minutes.

Earlier than any of that, although, he wants to really make the roster. He might nonetheless be waived earlier than the season begins if the Pacers decide to make use of the roster spot on a unique participant. Out of all of the gamers that the blue and gold signed for coaching camp, Johnson has probably the most expertise and is the most effective match on the wing.

After inking Johnson and several other others to contracts on Friday, the Pacers roster is now full with 20 gamers. In the event that they wish to add extra expertise to their crew — both completely different coaching camp our bodies or established veterans — they must waive a participant.

Johnson’s finest seasons had been roughly half a decade in the past with the Miami Warmth, however he confirmed final season that on his finest nights he’s nonetheless a succesful NBA participant. The place he’ll present probably the most worth to the Pacers is within the locker room. He has performed in almost 750 NBA video games, and he reached the convention finals in 2016 with the Toronto Raptors. He can present management and teachings for a youthful Pacers crew.

Johnson performed for Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle in Dallas for 29 video games throughout the 2020-21 season. That familiarity might go a good distance towards Johnson becoming in effectively in Indiana.

Coaching camp begins for the Indiana Pacers later this month, with media day set to happen in lower than 10 days.

Extra Pacers Associated Tales

• Former Pacers guard Keifer Sykes hosted a free basketball and mentoring clinic in downtown Indy. CLICK HERE.
• See which Pacers remained in Indianapolis for longer than typical to exercise after final season ended. CLICK HERE.
• WATCH: Indiana Fever publish behind-the-scenes documentary from historic draft night time. CLICK HERE.
• Reggie Miller shares why he did not significantly take into account taking part in for an additional franchise. CLICK HERE.
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