Why Is This 14-Year NBA Veteran Still A Free Agent?

James Johnson, who played for the Indiana Pacers last year, is still a free agent on October 11.

James Johnson is coming off a year where he appeared in 18 regular season games for the Indiana Pacers. 

The 36-year-old averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per contest while shooting 44.9% from the field. 

Currently, he remains a free agent that is available to be signed by any team in the league. 

no. 16, year 14.

James Johnson. pic.twitter.com/mKwFNzV7j9

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 17, 2022

Johnson was initially the 16th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Wake Forest. 

Over 14 seasons in the league, he has played for the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves. 

His career averages are 7.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest while shooting 47.4% from the field and 30.1% from the three-point range in 765 regular season games (he has also appeared in 24 NBA playoff games). 

JAMES JOHNSON LOVES TO PUT DEFENDERS IN THE RIM (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/m9MKEuwJhB

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 4, 2018

Arguably, the best season of his career came in 2017 with the Heat when he averaged 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest while shooting 47.9% from the field and 34.0% from the three-point range in 76 games. 

Since the regular season begins in less than two weeks, Johnson will be a name to keep an eye on as he could be a valuable addition to many teams. 

James Johnson hammers it home! #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/92VhwdRubP

— NBA (@NBA) November 12, 2017

As for the Pacers (who Johnson most recently played for), they are coming off a year where they were the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 35-47 record. 

They missed the NBA playoffs for the third straight season.