Report: Pacers agree to deal with F James Johnson

Field Level Media|published: Thu 14th December, 17:20 2023

Mar 11, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Indiana Pacers forward James Johnson (16) dribbles the ball against Detroit Pistons guard R.J. Hampton (14) in the second half at Little Caesars Arena. credits: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers are set to bring back veteran forward James Johnson on a one-year deal, ESPN reported Thursday.

A veteran of 14 NBA seasons, Johnson played 18 games for the Pacers in 2022-23, getting one start, while he averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per contest.

The 36-year-old, who was a first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bulls in 2009 out of Wake Forest, has played 765 games (243 starts) for 10 different teams and has averaged 7.6 points with 3.5 rebounds.

After three consecutive losing seasons when they failed to make the playoffs, the Pacers are 13-9 and advanced to the championship game of the inaugural NBA in-season tournament last week at Las Vegas, where they lost 123-109 to the Los Angeles Lakers.

—Field Level Media