Last offseason, the Indiana Pacers signed Andrew Nembhard to a three-year, $58.7 million contract extension. At the time, Nembhard was fresh off an electric playoff run, which included a breakout series in the conference finals against the eventual champion Boston Celtics.
Shortly after news of Nembhard's extension broke, reports surfaced that suggested other teams around the league were interested in the Canadian native, including the San Antonio Spurs. Ultimately, despite rival teams' interest, the Pacers committed to Nembhard for the long run. While a trade is still an option down the line, as it currently stands, there is no doubt that the Pacers made the right decision and that Nembhard is crucial to the team's success.
Additionally, even as recently as December, Nembhard was named a potential trade candidate as other contenders maintained their interest in him. However, once again, it looks like the Pacers have shut this door and are rejecting other teams' inquiries, according to The Athletic's Fred Katz (subscription required).
The Pacers' commitment to Nembhard has already proved to be the right move, and with his most recent accomplishment, this notion is even more justified.
Andrew Nembhard wins Defensive Player of the Month for January
On Tuesday, the NBA announced that Nembhard took home the Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month. Since this is the first season that this award was handed out, Nembhard is the first Pacer in league history to receive this honor.
In January, Nembhard averaged 1.9 steals per game. Furthermore, across the entire month, the Pacers earned a defensive rating of 111.6, which was the fourth-best mark in the league. Only the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Detroit Pistons ranked higher than the Pacers in January.
A lot has already been said about the Pacers' impressive in-season turnaround. Despite starting 10-15, the Pacers have won 18 of their last 23 games. Furthermore, they are 12-2 in 2025. Much of their turnaround has to do with Nembhard, who missed most of November due to a knee injury. Once he returned, the Pacers started to look much closer to the team that was four wins away from an NBA Finals appearance last year.
Nembhard's presence also impacts the Pacers beyond the eye test. This season, they are 22-10 in games he plays. When he does not suit up, the Pacers are 6-10.
It is clear that Nembhard is a valuable asset to the Pacers. He plays a crucial role on the team and is important to their success. Despite entering the season as a potential trade candidate, Nembhard may have established himself as an untouchable ahead of the trade deadline.