The Indiana Pacers are a talented team that play an exciting game. After a rough start to the season, the Pacers have turned things around and are now 19-18 and own the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. Naturally, there are plenty of rival teams who have interest in poaching some of Indiana's players. This is no different for Aaron Nesmith, despite being on the sidelines for most of the year.
According to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel, the Golden State Warriors "hold interest" in Nesmith amidst Indiana's reported pursuit of Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson.
"Nesmith is a player the Warriors hold interest in should he be on the trade block or involved in conversations between the Pacers and Nets for Johnson."
Nesmith is a fantastic fit for the Warriors' system. He is a legitimate 3-and-D player on a team-friendly deal. Alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, Nesmith could be in a position to play the best basketball of his career if a trade were to happen. However, despite Golden State's interest, the Pacers should stand pat and keep Nesmith around, even if it means losing out on Johnson.
Pacers should not trade Aaron Nesmith to the Golden State Warriors
Nesmith is now in his third season in Indiana and has solidified himself as a legitimate asset on the roster. He is one of the best defenders on the team (he is also their best wing defender by a mile) and is a sparkplug on offense. Nesmith is not necessarily an untouchable trade piece, but it should take a lot more for the team to be willing to move on from him. At least at this point.
The Pacers are rolling right now, even with Nesmith out of action. However, it is clear that the team is not perfect and still has ways to go before re-establishing themselves as title contenders. Nesmith's return could realistically be the only reinforcement needed to bring the Pacers back to a championship level as he provides a major boost on both sides of the court and plays with great energy.
Another reason the Pacers would benefit from keeping Nesmith around is that it would make their already elite bench even stronger. Realistically, once the Pacers get Nesmith back, they will likely move Bennedict Mathurin back to the bench. While he is a bit inconsistent, there is no doubt that Mathurin provides a ton of value on the court. Moving him back to the bench in favor of Nesmith could bring the best out of both of them.
Nesmith is not perfect, and trading him down the line could make sense. However, he is on a team-friendly deal, and it will be hard for the Pacers to get better value in his place. Additionally, this Pacers core is young and a season removed from a conference finals appearance. They may not be title contenders as it stands, but continuity and natural progression should move the Pacers to that level sooner rather than later.