Aaron Nesmith was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft because they believed he was a talented shooter who could stretch the floor and add depth on the wings. However, breaking into a rotation that already featured Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown was always going to be challenging.
There were few minutes, and Nesmith often did not leave a lasting impression. Nevertheless, his hustle, defensive vigour, and willingness to put in the extra effort impressed fans; these qualities weren’t necessarily included in his scouting report when he joined the league.
Everything changed in the summer of 2022. Boston traded Nesmith to the Indiana Pacers in the deal that brought Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics. For Nesmith, that trade became the turning point of his young career.
A New Beginning and a Huge Bonus
Under head coach Rick Carlisle, Aaron Nesmith has thrived since joining the Pacers, developing into one of Indiana’s most versatile defenders and a reliable two-way starter. He’s started all 40 of the team’s playoff games over the last two seasons — helping the Pacers reach the Eastern Conference Finals and, eventually, the NBA Finals.
His hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. On Monday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Nesmith signed a two-year, $40.4 million contract extension with Indiana, which includes a trade kicker and runs through the 2028–29 season.
The deal makes him one of the Pacers’ core players moving forward. It also gives him a significant pay bump — from about $11 million a year on his current deal to more than $20 million annually starting in 2027.
For a player who once struggled to get off the bench in Boston, it’s a well-earned reward.
The Perfect Fit
Nesmith’s rise in Indiana proves that success in the NBA often comes down to fit and opportunity. In Boston, he was buried behind two All-Stars. In Indiana, he found a system that values his defensive grit, energy, and improving perimeter shot.
Carlisle gave him the freedom to play through mistakes and the trust to guard some of the league’s top scorers. That confidence has paid off — Aaron Nesmith has become one of the Pacers’ most reliable role players, capable of switching across multiple positions and knocking down big shots when needed.
If he’d stayed in Boston, Aaron Nesmith might never have reached this level. But the trade gave him exactly what every young player needs: a chance to grow.
A Bright Future Ahead
Now locked in for four more years, Nesmith can focus on helping Indiana stay among the Eastern Conference elite. At just 25 years old, he’s entering his prime with a franchise that clearly believes in him — and he’s earned every bit of that belief.
