Age: 36
Years Pro: 14
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Key Stats: Appeared in 18 games with one start. Averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9 minutes per game.
James Johnson didn't play many minutes for the 2022-23 Pacers, but he was nonetheless one of the most important members of the team because of his contributions off the court.
Knowing that the Pacers would field one of the league's youngest rosters this season, the team brass appeared set on using the final spot on the 15-man roster to bring a veteran voice that could help mentor the Blue & Gold's youthful group. Johnson and eight-year veteran guard Langston Galloway both received invites to training camp, with Johnson ultimately winning a spot on the roster.
His addition proved to be invaluable. Throughout the season, head coach Rick Carlisle and Johnson's teammates would bring up the 6-7 forward -- often unprompted -- as one of the biggest reasons why this year's team was able to develop such a strong bond.
"James Johnson, who you don’t hear much about, has given us a very strong locker room presence," Carlisle said after a Nov. 19 win over Orlando that lifted Indiana to 9-6 on the season. "He manages a lot of the stuff that goes on in there. He makes sure that guys are thinking the right way and are ready to play. He’s super supportive, always saying the right things. He’s been an asset for us."
For most of the season until Indiana acquired George Hill at the trade deadline, Johnson was far and away the most senior player on the roster. Entering the season, he was more than five years older than Daniel Theis, the next-oldest player. This was also Johnson's 14th NBA season. Only T.J. McConnell and Myles Turner -- both in their eighth years in the league -- had played more than half that amount.
That experience earned Johnson the instant respect of his teammates. He held their respect by providing the leadership the team needed, making sure everyone was building winning habits, and demonstrating the professionalism to always stay ready even when your playing time might be limited.
Though he didn't see the floor too often, Johnson was always engaged on the bench, one of the first guys out of his seat to celebrate a big play and engaging his teammates on the bench to offer his input. Whether he was talking to the team's stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner or young big men Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith, Johnson's voice was always heard.
At his end-of-season press conference, Johnson credited his teammates for being willing to buy in to his message.
"I always liked the saying 'Act like a champion, think like a champion, until you become a champion,'" Johnson said. "I didn't have to install that on this team as much. It was already ready for them."
When the Pacers traded for Hill, Nwora, and Serge Ibaka at the deadline, they had to waive three players, including Johnson, to make room on the roster. But the front office made it clear that it was only temporary. Johnson was waived on Feb. 7, but re-signed on Feb. 13 after he cleared waivers and Indiana bought out Ibaka's contract.
Even during that brief stretch when he wasn't technically a part of the team, Johnson stayed engaged with his teammates. He attended the one home game he missed over that stretch as a fan, sitting with Haliburton's family in a courtside seat on the baseline across from the Pacers' bench.
When Johnson re-joined the team days later, Carlisle said it was "very important for us" to bring the veteran back.
"He's contributed so much to our situation just in terms of setting examples, mentoring, being very positive, being very truthful," Carlisle said. "He has a really strong reputation in this league as a great competitor, as a very tough guy, those kinds of things. He's been a difference maker so it's great to have him back on board."
On the court, the highlight of the season for Johnson probably came on March 11 in Detroit. With several key players including Haliburton, Turner, McConnell, and Bennedict Mathurin sidelined, Johnson was thrust into the rotation for his first game action since Jan. 20. He played a season-high 22 minutes off the bench and tallied eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and a block in a 121-115 win.
After the game, Carlisle surprised Johnson by bringing his son Naymin into the locker room to present his dad with a game ball.
Johnson is one of just three free agents from the Pacers' 15-man roster this summer. The Pacers currently own five picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, making it a tricky math problem to figure out if there is a spot for Johnson on next year's team.
But whether he returns next year or not, Johnson played a major role in the Pacers building their culture over the past season. During exit interviews, nearly every player mentioned how close the locker room was on this particular team. Those bonds were a major factor in why the Pacers remained in playoff contention until the final weeks of the regular season.
"We believed in each other so much from the beginning," Johnson said. "From training camp, it may not have looked as good on paper, but we (were) going at it every day. You could feel the energy in the locker room knowing that we were going to be good this year or better than anybody's expectations."
James Johnson 2023 Exit Interview
2023 Pacers.com Player Review Schedule
April 17: Tyrese Haliburton
April 18: Myles Turner
April 19: Andrew Nembhard
April 20: Jordan Nwora
April 21: Aaron Nesmith
April 22: Isaiah Jackson
April 23: James Johnson
April 24: Bennedict Mathurin
April 25: T.J. McConnell
April 26: Oshae Brissett
April 27: Chris Duarte
April 28: Jalen Smith
April 29: Gabe York
April 30: Kendall Brown
May 1: George Hill
May 2: Daniel Theis
May 3: Buddy Hield