In his first season with the Indiana Pacers, longtime pro James Johnson quickly became a beloved teammate on a young squad needing veteran leadership.
So when Johnson wasn’t with the team to start their 2023-2024 season, Indiana’s roster had a noticeable void on opening night.
Thankfully, the Pacers quickly got their “big brother” back on the team.
On Dec. 15, with an open roster spot after the Blue & Gold bought out Daniel Theis, the Pacers signed the then-14-year-pro to a new contract.
Johnson, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound forward, was later waived in January, but then signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Pacers. On Feb. 8, Johnson signed a contract for the remainder of the season, as Indiana went on to earn the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Johnson played in just nine total games during the season, including one game in the playoffs. He recorded eight points, four rebounds, seven assists, and five steals in 40 total minutes during the regular season.
Despite his limited playing time, Johnson’s true value shone through in his role as a mentor. His experience and guidance helped shape both the returning and new players on the Pacers’ roster.
While it didn’t show in the box score, Johnson helped the Pacers navigate their playoff run with his leadership.
In the postseason, Indiana advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a decade.
Johnson’s experiences likely aided the Pacers in beating the New York Knicks in seven games in the East semifinals, as he had played on teams with deep playoff runs in the past (including three series that went to Game 7s).
Johnson will be a free agent this summer, but don’t be surprised if the Pacers consider bringing him back for a third season to fulfill a similar role.
