The Indiana Pacers officially cut three players Saturday, letting go of veteran James Johnson and young centers Keba Keita and Rienk Mast. These moves are all about fine-tuning the roster, gearing up for the start of the regular season. But for Johnson, this departure is definitely not the end of his time in Indy.
Veteran Presence Takes a Cap Hit, For Now
Alright, let’s talk James Johnson. He’s been a Pacer for the past three seasons, and his game stats,1.7 points per game in 39 appearances,don’t really tell the full story. His main role has always been that crucial veteran presence, the kind of locker room leadership every squad needs. So, his waiver isn’t some huge surprise to clear the books permanently. The word is, the Pacers fully expect to re-sign him later in the season. Why the temporary split then? It’s a total salary cap move. They need to get his salary requirement to fit under the cap, so this is a temporary maneuver. Don’t be shocked when you see him back in the fold once the financial puzzle pieces click into place. This is purely a business decision, not a reflection of his value to the team.
G-League Is Calling for Keita and Mast
For Keba Keita and Rienk Mast, however, these waivers mean a new address for the immediate future. Both young centers are slated to play for the Noblesville Boom in the G-League. That’s actually huge for their development. Keita, who’s a 6-8, 235-pound center, put up 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in just 6.8 minutes per game during the preseason. Mast, another big body at 6-9 and 248 pounds, saw a bit more time with 10.7 minutes, averaging 5.0 points and 3.5 rebounds. Getting consistent playing time in the G-League is exactly what these guys need to polish their skills and chase that full-time NBA dream. It’s a tough pill to swallow to get cut, but this is the proven path for young talent to grow and get noticed.
These roster moves show the Pacers are making the hard decisions, balancing their veteran core with salary cap realities and fostering their young talent as they finalize the squad for the regular season. They’re dialing it in, making sure everything’s locked before the real games tip off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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