Aaron Nesmith’s steady bloom and what it means for the Pacers

Aaron Nesmith’s time with the Indiana Pacers has already injected new life into his young NBA career.  He solidified himself as a favorite surprise-Pacer this season, but how does he impact the team moving forward?

Nesmith showed consistency in his efficiency with the opportunity to have a larger and more defined role.  He appeared in 73 games this year–21 more than the 52 he played last season in Boston.  Aaron’s opportunity with the Celtics was limited by the pressures of title contention and playing in the collective wake of all-stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.  As a Pacer, he was allowed to play more freely and showcase other skillsets.

As a result, Nesmith showed growth in all three major stat categories this season with Indiana.  Last year he averaged 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.  He more than doubled each of those outputs with 10 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game as a Pacer.  His move away from the Celtics brought him a greater minutes load, and his efficiency in those minutes is following a promising trajectory.

He’s already shown marked improvements in his ball handling ability, greater success in getting to the rim, and highlight-reel athleticism when attacking the basket.  As a solid defender and dependable 3-point shooter, Nesmith projects to become a reliable starter on a good team or a strong reserve on a great team.

Nesmith’s character qualities are immeasurable, elevating his impact beyond the box score numbers.  He shows impressive hustle and an outstanding work ethic.  High-energy players like Aaron can single-handedly redirect the momentum of a game by making gutsy plays like scrappy rebounds and loose ball recoveries.  Rick Carlisle dubs Nesmith the “prototypical Indiana Pacer,” adding that “for this team and his teammates, he will run through a wall.”

Aaron’s steady emergence as a versatile wing should impact several offseason decisions for the Pacers.  Specifically, it should direct their focus in trade and free agency discussions as it provides a previously unexpected degree of optionality.  They are now able to entertain more offers to include young assets and draft picks in trades while maintaining a promising young core.  Other Pacers become expendable and splashy trades or signings become more attainable.

Nesmith’s play was one of many surprises that made for a memorable year with the Pacers, and he will be a key piece in their efforts to earn a postseason bid in the 2023-24 season.