Aaron Nesmith is eligible for a contract extension beginning on October 1, but according to Zach Lowe of The Ringer, the Indiana Pacers may have decided not to give him a new deal.
In a recent episode of his podcast, "The Zach Lowe Show," Lowe mentioned the possibility that Indiana had to choose between signing Nesmith or Andrew Nembhard to a contract extension, assuming they are still looking to stay under the luxury tax. Given that the Pacers signed Nembhard to a three-year, $58.6 million contract extension last year, it would seem that the team has already made its decision if Lowe's hypothetical is correct.
"That could also have been an either-or thing with Nembhard, who's locked up for $20 million a year for the next three years. And they have $105 million in 27-28 to Haliburton and Siakam," Lowe said.
Nesmith will soon be eligible for a new deal, but he is still under contract through the 2026-27 season. Regardless, the Pacers must do whatever they can to ensure that he stays around for the foreseeable future, even if it means they will have to pay the luxury tax.
The Pacers need to sign Aaron Nesmith to a new contract
The Vanderbilt alum is currently on a three-year, $33 million deal. Given how important he is to Indiana's success, this contract is a steal for them and remains one of the best value contracts in the entire NBA.
Nesmith is not the Pacers' best player, and he likely will never be their most important one. However, he has gradually improved each year he has been with the team, and they know exactly what he brings to the table and how much he can contribute on a nightly basis.
He provides value in every area of the game, and the Pacers likely would not be as successful as they have been without him. Because of this, they must make it a priority to lock him up long-term, no matter what.
The Pacers were just one win away from winning their first-ever NBA championship, and Nesmith was a big reason for that. In his first three series of Indiana's latest playoff run, the South Carolina native averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 50.3% from the field and an incredible 50% from beyond the arc on 5.4 attempts per game.
If the Pacers do sign Nesmith to a new contract, it is fair to assume that it is going to cost them a bit more than it did the last time. He has established himself as one of the best 3-and-D players in the NBA, and he steps up when the team needs him the most. Even if it pushes them into the luxury tax, the Pacers cannot afford to lose him and his value.
It is also important to remember that Nesmith is about to turn just 26 years old. He should still only be getting better, and he will have a great opportunity next season to take that next step with Tyrese Haliburton out.
The Pacers' outlook for next season looks bleak, but they still have an incredibly bright future beyond that. They have a fantastic front office, coaching staff, and roster. This includes Nesmith, who should be a big part of the team's success for a long time and deserves to get another contract to stay in Indiana for much longer.