Western conference team reportedly pursued Indiana Pacers guard

Earlier this morning, the Indiana Pacers and guard Andrew Nembhard officially came to terms on a three-year, $59 million contract extension. With this new contract, Nembhard will be on Indiana's books through the 2027-28 season. After his impressive playoff performance last season, this contract extension comes as no shock.

However, it appears the Pacers are not the only team who wanted the Canadian native on the roster. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the San Antonio Spurs "registered trade interest in Nembhard this offseason." Furthermore, Fischer listed the Spurs as a "team to monitor for Nembhard moving forward."

"The Spurs will be one team to monitor for Nembhard moving forward, sources said, after San Antonio registered trade interest in Nembhard this offseason," Fischer said.

Earlier in the offseason, the Spurs signed legendary point guard Chris Paul, who most recently spent a season with the Golden State Warriors. However, the 39-year-old signed a one-year contract and will likely be a free agent again next summer.

Furthermore, the Spurs drafted point guard Stephon Castle with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Castle has a lot of potential and could become San Antonio's point guard of the future. Regardless, it is interesting that Fischer would not rule out Nembhard heading to the Spurs at some point.

Andrew Nembhard considered a lead guard by rival teams

During the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Nembhard made his presence felt and played some of the best basketball of his career. Nembhard was already a solid guard on the team, but he played a major role in Indiana's Eastern Conference Finals run.

In 17 games, the 24-year-old averaged 14.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 56% from the field and 48.3% from beyond the arc. This includes multiple games with 20 or more points, including his 32-point performance in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. Nembhard shot an impressive 12-for-21 (57.1%) from the field in the loss.

Following Nembhard's performance, "some rival teams" consider him to be "a lead guard," according to NBA insider Marc Stein (subscription required).

"After his outstanding performance in the playoffs, Nembhard is increasingly considered by some rival teams as a lead guard, meaning that he also might project as a player capable of generating a richer offer in down-the-road free agency than the Pacers can offer in an extension this summer," Stein said.

Nembhard has had a solid two-year NBA career with the Pacers so far. And if the team wants to contend for a championship as soon as possible, it is important for them to maximize Nembhard's potential.