Pacers Urged to Make Familiar Move With Final Open Roster Spot

The Indiana Pacers are heading into the 2026-27 NBA season with big goals. Just two years ago, they took the Oklahoma City Thunder to Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Unfortunately, last season was a lost year for the Pacers. Due to the torn Achilles suffered by star point guard Tyrese Haliburton in that Game 7 against the Thunder, he missed the entire 2025-26 campaign. Indiana mustered up a 19-63 record.

Ahead of training camp and preseason action, the Pacers have their final roster pretty much in place. However, there is one open roster spot for Kevin Pritchard and the front office to work with.

Indiana could simply choose to keep that open roster spot. It would allow the team to have roster flexibility into the season. Or, the Pacers could still sign another player before the season arrives.

Once again, Indiana has been urged to consider using the open roster spot on a very familiar name.

Sports Illustrated's Alex Golden has come out with the idea of reuniting with veteran forward James Johnson. He is a Pacers' fan favorite and an excellent locker room presence. Johnson may not be a productive player, but what he brings to a team is very valuable.

"If that roster spot remains available, the decision should be easy," Golden wrote. "Bring back the veteran leader. Bring back Haliburton's big brother. Bring back the man who has a black belt in Karate. Bring back the enforcer. Bring back James Johnson."

Chad Buchanan, Indiana's general manager, spoke out following the NBA Finals run two years ago about Johnson. He hinted that the team could remain interested in Johnson in the future.

"I would say, never say never with James Johnson and the Indiana Pacers," Buchanan said.

"He's embraced his role and has been outstanding for our team the last couple of years. And he's like a family member to all of us because he's great with our players, he's great with our staff and he's great with our staff's families."

Whether or not Johnson ends up being a target for the Pacers remains to be seen. But, the fit would make a lot of sense, especially for a team that is hopeful of making another run at its first NBA championship.

Johnson is now 39 years old. He has played in 786 career games, with 243 of those appearances being started. He holds career averages of 7.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and two assists per game.