Keba Keita is off the Indiana Pacers roster as of Sunday, Oct. 18, according to the official roster. The move follows a Saturday, Oct. 17 report from HoopsRumors headlined "Pacers Waive James Johnson, Two Others," with no confidence rating attached.
The move
Keba Keita, a 23-year-old rookie center, is off the Indiana Pacers' roster as of Sunday, Oct. 18, according to the official roster. The move follows a Saturday, Oct. 17 report from HoopsRumors, headlined "Pacers Waive James Johnson, Two Others," which carried no confidence rating. Keita had no NBA line last season. His departure leaves the Pacers' frontcourt depth chart without him for 2026-27.
The money
Keita carried a $1.4 million cap hit for 2026-27, the only season on file for him. Indiana's payroll stands at $206.4 million across 15 contracts for 2026-27, which puts the club over the luxury tax. The cap is set at $165.0 million, the tax line at $200.4 million, the first apron at $209.0 million and the second apron at $221.7 million.
The fit
Keita had no NBA line last season. Indiana's rotation last season leaned on Pascal Siakam at 33.2 minutes and 24.0 points, Bennedict Mathurin at 31.8 minutes and 17.8 points, and Andrew Nembhard at 31.3 minutes and 16.9 points, with Ivica Zubac logging 23.6 minutes and 11.6 points and Jarace Walker 25.7 minutes and 11.6 points up front. The Pacers now carry 17 players on the roster, two over the standard 15-man limit, counting three two-way spots.
Why is Keba Keita off the Pacers' roster?
The official roster lists him off the team as of Sunday, Oct. 18. A Saturday, Oct. 17 HoopsRumors report headlined "Pacers Waive James Johnson, Two Others" preceded the move, though no confidence rating was attached to it.
What was Keba Keita's contract?
He had a $1.4 million cap hit on file for 2026-27, the only season recorded for him.
How does this affect the Pacers' cap situation?
Indiana's payroll is listed at $206.4 million across 15 contracts for 2026-27, above the $200.4 million tax line, with the cap at $165.0 million, the first apron at $209.0 million and the second apron at $221.7 million.
How many players are on Indiana's roster now?
The team is listed with 17 players, two above the standard 15-man limit, including three on two-way contracts.