Sources: Indiana Pacers to bring back James Johnson on one-year contract

Johnson spent last season with the Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are bringing back forward James Johnson, according to an announcement from Johnson's agency, Priority Sports. The Pacers have an open roster spot after agreeing to a contract buyout with Daniel Theis last month.

According to league sources, Johnson's deal with the Pacers is for one year in length and is non-guaranteed. All contracts around the league become fully guaranteed on January 10 of 2024. It's a minimum salary agreement, so the forward will carry a cap hit of just over $1.4 million if he is signed on Friday.

The veteran forward has 14 years of service in the NBA and spent the 2022-23 season with the Pacers. He was a key leader for the team last year, a role he embraced. Johnson was such a good locker room presence that the team re-signed him after initially waiving him to facilitate trades — they were paying him two different contracts down the stretch of last season. They wanted him badly as a veteran for the roster.

Clearly, that feeling still remains as the Pacers plan to bring back Johnson again. Indiana could use the toughness, especially after their scuffle with the Milwaukee Bucks last night. Johnson was named as the NBA player that other players would least like to fight.

"We're going to miss JJ for sure," Pacers center Jalen Smith said of Johnson at media day, noting that the team could go to the vet for advice last year. Now, they don't have to miss him. He's back. "That presence he had in the locker room. He was pretty much like the big brother to everybody." 

The 36-year old averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game for the blue and gold last season in 18 appearances. He was primarily on the roster for leadership purposes, but he gave Indiana a few nice outings. He started once last year.

Johnson likely won't play much for the blue and gold, but he will still provide the team with value as a veteran. He has a great relationship with young guard Tyrese Haliburton, who blossomed into a leader for the blue and gold last year. Johnson helped Haliburton improve as a voice and connector.

"His way of not running away from confrontation is what makes him such a great leader," Johnson said of the All-Star point guard during the offseason. The 36-year old forward was impressed with the Pacers work ethic last season, and he is now a part of that mix again.

The Pacers next play on Friday against the Washington Wizards, so it's possible that the 2009 first-round draft pick is with the team soon. His presence will be a boon for the young team fresh off of an emotional week with the In-Season Tournament run and intense game against Milwaukee.

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