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What is Aaron Nesmith's best role with the Indiana Pacers?

In an ideal world, what is Aaron Nesmith's most effective role for the Pacers to be the most successful possible?

By Ryan Stano

May 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) celebrates with forward Aaron Nesmith (23) during the third quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) celebrates with forward Aaron Nesmith (23) during the third quarter of game three of the eastern conference finals against the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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The Indiana Pacers signed Aaron Nesmith to an extension before the season started. They agreed to a three-year $33 million extension that keeps him with the team through the 2026-27 season. It turned out to be a fantastic move to lock him down for that money.

Nesmith had a career year in just about every way possible. He averaged about 12 points per game on just under 50% shooting from the field and 42% shooting. He also had a career-high in assists, steals, and rebounds. His shooting dropped off in a major way in the postseason, which ended up hurting Indiana in a big way.

Had Nesmith been able to hit a few more open threes, perhaps the Pacers are the ones playing in Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight. The margin between them and Boston was extremely close. So what is Nesmith's best role on an ideal Indiana Pacers team?

Aaron Nesmith is best used as either a starting guard or small forward on the ideal Pacers roster

The thing that makes Nesmith so valuable is his defensive versatility. He guarded the best player on the opposing team all year long. he can guard small forwards, power forwards, or guards. That's all despite the fact that he stands at 6'6. It's not like he's some massive wing.

Nesmith is the perfect three-and-D guy. If the Pacers are able to find a bigger wing in free agency, they should slide him to guard next to Tyrese Haliburton. He can handle the ball well enough to be next to him on the court, even if he's not a secondary playmaker like Andrew Nembhard is.

Even if for some reason Nesmith is relegated to the bench after some offseason signings, he absolutely should be closing games. He's just 24 years old and has a lot of room to get better. He has to prove that his shooting in the regular season wasn't an aberration and that he can sustain that in the playoffs.

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I don't think the Pacers can include Nesmith in trade talks unless it's for an absolute bona fide star. He's too young and too good already, and he's on an excellent contract. Nesmith was perhaps the player who impressed me the most this season.

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