Pacers waive three, including James Johnson

The Pacers have waived veteran forward James Johnson and big men Keba Keita and Rienk Mast, the team announced Saturday, leaving their expected opening-night roster in place.

Indiana has 14 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals. The team doesn’t have enough room below its first-apron hard cap to carry a 15th standard player, making Johnson’s departure a financial necessity.

Johnson, 39, has been a valued locker room presence for the Pacers. A return later in the season remains possible if their cap situation permits it.

His camp contract didn’t include Exhibit 10 language, so a move to the G League isn’t expected.

Keita and Mast are more likely to continue with the Noblesville Boom. Both signed Exhibit 10 deals that provide bonuses of $91,000 apiece if they spend at least 60 days with Indiana’s G League affiliate.

Keita went undrafted out of BYU in June. Mast also entered the league as an undrafted free agent after finishing his college career at Nebraska.

The Pacers could still make changes before the season, but no further cuts are needed. Johnson’s next opportunity will depend on whether Indiana can eventually make room for a veteran it would otherwise like to keep.