Pacers, Aaron Nesmith agree to three-year, $33 million extension

The Indiana Pacers and forward Aaron Nesmith agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract extension, his agent, Mike Lindeman of Excel Sports Management, announced on Monday.

Nesmith, 24, was selected 14th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Vanderbilt University. The 6-foot-5 wing made one start in 46 appearances with Boston during his rookie 2020-21 season.

The South Carolina native averaged 4.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 14.5 minutes per game while shooting career bests of 43.8% from the floor and 37% beyond the arc. Plus, he shot 78.6% at the foul line.

According to a few NBA betting sites, the Indiana Pacers hold 23rd-ranked odds to win this season’s 2024 championship. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls.

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith has agreed on a three-year, $33 million contract extension, Mike Lindeman of @excelbasketball tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/G2U1bnWzpK

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2023

In the 2021-22 season, Aaron Nesmith made three starts in 52 appearances with the Celtics. He averaged 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 11 minutes per game while shooting 39.6% from the field, 27% from downtown, and 80.8% at the line.

In July 2022, Boston traded him to the Pacers, along with Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan, Nik Stauskas, Daniel Theis and a 2023 first-round draft pick, for guard Malcolm Brogdon.

Aaron Nesmith agrees to extension with Indiana Pacers, new contract begins in 2024-25 season

Earlier this month, the Celtics traded center Robert Williams III and Brogdon, the 2023 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, to the Portland Trail Blazers for ex-Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday. Portland also received a 2024 first-round pick via Golden State and a 2029 first-round pick.

Last season, Nesmith made 60 starts in 73 games played with the Pacers. The forward averaged career highs of 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 24.9 minutes per game. Additionally, he shot 42.7% from the floor, 36.6% from deep, and a career-best 83.8% at the line.

Aaron Nesmith contract structure in Indiana. pic.twitter.com/p6iP8FIAR0

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 23, 2023

In Indiana’s 141-121 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on March 18, 2023, he recorded a career-high 25 points, six boards, two assists, and one steal in 33 minutes as a starter. The Vanderbilt product shot 9-of-16 (56.3%) from the field and drained four 3-pointers.

Nesmith is slated to earn $5.63 million this season in the final year of his rookie contract. His upcoming contract begins in the 2024-25 season. Once the deal is finalized, he will be under contract through 2026-27. 

Today is the final day for members of the 2020 draft class to sign rookie-scale extensions. The deadline is 6 p.m. ET.

The Pacers open their 2023-24 regular season this Wednesday at home against the Washington Wizards.