In his past two seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Aaron Nesmith has shot 50-42-83 while also playing a crucial role on the defensive side of the ball. The Vanderbilt alum has become one of the best 3-and-D players in the league, and he is now a player that every team would love to have.
The Pacers acquired Nesmith as a throw-in to the Malcolm Brogdon trade from the Boston Celtics back in 2022. Despite being a lottery pick, Nesmith never found his footing in Boston, and there were not many reasons to believe that he would ever turn into the player he has become. However, for one reason or another, that is exactly what happened, and Nesmith has now established himself as a valuable asset to a championship-hopeful team.
Aaron Nesmith could be in line for a career year next season
When Nesmith gets hot, there is almost no stopping him, and this was especially evident during last season's playoffs.
The 25-year-old has turned into a legitimate sharpshooter and weapon on the offensive side of the ball. He won't ever be the most dominant player on the court, but he provides a ton of value to the Pacers and will continue to do so as the team looks to navigate through a probable down year next season.
Nesmith has stepped up numerous times for Indiana throughout his run with the team up to this point, and he will have to do so again next season. With Tyrese Haliburton out for the year and Myles Turner now a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Pacers will need everybody on the team to turn it up another level, and that includes Nesmith.
The South Carolina native has been a fantastic catch-and-shoot player, largely due to getting the perfect looks from Haliburton. However, without his star guard teammate, Nesmith may have to create his own shots a bit more, which, combined with his expected bigger role, could make a career year inevitable.
Not many are expecting the Pacers to be legitimate contenders next season, and it is not hard to see why. However, the team has given no indications that they are just going to tank and give up on the season. Instead, Indiana will likely look to remain competitive and shock the basketball world once again.
Another deep playoff run next season is unlikely, but the Pacers are still capable of making some noise in the Eastern Conference. However, in order for them to do so, everybody needs to step up, and Nesmith is one of the prime candidates to do exactly that.