Pacers waive veteran James Johnson, Keba Keita and Rienk Mast to finalize roster

The Indiana Pacers have set their regular season roster, waiving veteran forward James Johnson and big men Keba Keita and Rienk Mast, the team announced Saturday.

Indiana now has 17 players under contract, including three on two-way deals, and appears likely to enter opening night with this group.

Johnson, 39, is a valued locker room leader, but the Pacers do not have enough room below their first-apron hard cap to carry a 15th man, making his release necessary. He could return to Indiana later in the season if the cap situation allows. His camp contract did not include Exhibit 10 language, so he is not expected to report to the G League.

Keita and Mast were both on Exhibit 10 deals and can earn bonuses of up to $91,000 each by spending at least 60 days with the Noblesville Boom, the Pacers’ G League affiliate. Keita went undrafted out of BYU in June, while Mast wrapped up his college career at Nebraska.