Aaron Nesmith is already one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA, but with increased volume next season, he could become even more dangerous than many fans anticipate.
With Tyrese Haliburton out for all of next season (and Myles Turner signing with the Milwaukee Bucks), the Indiana Pacers are expected to change some things around next season and experiment with their roster. This especially includes utilizing different players in bigger roles.
While most eyes will be on players like Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, and Isaiah Jackson, who all have something to prove, even established players in Indiana are worth monitoring, and that includes Nesmith.
Of all the players on the roster, the Vanderbilt alum's role is probably going to change the least. He will still be Indiana's starting small forward who will provide energy on both sides of the ball and still be one of the best 3-and-D players in the game today. However, this does not mean that he can't showcase any type of growth.
Nesmith has gradually improved during each year of his Pacers run so far. So much so that he is easily one of the most important players on the roster, which he proved during their latest playoff run. With him in line for potentially the most opportunistic season of his career, the South Carolina native may be able to make a major leap as an offensive weapon, and that does not bode well for the rest of the NBA.
Aaron Nesmith's improved offense would make him more dangerous
Coming out of college, Nesmith was expected to be a fantastic three-point shooter in the NBA, but it really took him getting traded to Indiana in 2022 and getting more opportunities to showcase his true value.
During his three seasons with the Pacers so far, Nesmith has been shooting 40.2% from beyond the arc on 4.4 attempts per game. Last season, he shot a career-high 43.1% from the three-point line, which was 10th-best in the league.
Nesmith is already a fantastic three-point shooter, but now that he could have more opportunities as the Pacers look to re-tool offensively for next season, he may finally be able to unlock his full potential. Last season, Nesmith had six games where he attempted seven or more three-point field goals. Across those games, he shot 45% from beyond the arc.
Not only should his volume increase next season, but Nesmith should also have a chance to showcase a new skill on the offensive side: his ability to create his own shots.
The 25-year-old is fantastic on the perimeter and can get hot in a second. However, most of his attempts are catch-and-shoot ones, mostly set up by Haliburton. With him out for the year next season, though, Nesmith may have to get in his bag a little bit and create his own shots. This likely would not be an overnight change, but this would be great for him and the team for the long haul. Plus, if the Pacers opt to run a slower offense with Andrew Nembhard running the point, this should give him more opportunities to put the ball on the floor.
There is a lot to like about Nesmith and what he has done in Indiana so far, but he has yet to reach his peak. Next season, he will be able to showcase exactly how dangerous he can be on the court, and as the Pacers aim to re-establish themselves as title contenders, this is far from ideal for the rest of the league.