Players drafted in 2020 have until tonight to sign a contract extension with their franchises, and things are still being negotiated almost everywhere in the NBA.
With the Pacers, it is concluded since ESPN announces that Aaron Nesmith has imitated his teammate Tyrese Haliburton, with certainly a new more modest lease of 33 million dollars over three years. As a reminder, Indiana had extended the playmaker for five years, and a contract that can go up to $260 million.
The difference is obviously explained by the status and potential of the two players, Aaron Nesmith being a “role player” who still established himself as a starter last season in Indiana.
Drafted in 14th position by the Celtics in 2020, Aaron Nesmith never really managed to establish himself in Massachusetts, minutes being rare behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. But recovered by the Pacers as part of the transfer of Malcolm Brogdon, he made his place, thanks in particular to his defensive versatility.
Capable of playing fullback, winger or even strong winger in a “small ball” five, the 24-year-old (1m96) has a good chance of returning to the bench this season with the arrival of Bruce Brown. However, with his defensive qualities and an improving outside shot (37% last season), he is part of the plans of Rick Carlisle and the franchise, as shown by this contract extension for three seasons.
Note that he is the 10th player from the 2020 vintage to be extended before the start of this 2023/24 campaign, after Anthony Edwards (1st choice), LaMelo Ball (3), Deni Avdija (9), Devin Vassell (11) , Tyrese Haliburton (12), Isaiah Stewart (16), Zeke Nnaji (22), Payton Pritchard (26) and Desmond Bane (30).
| Aaron Nesmith | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 46 | 15 | 43.8 | 37.0 | 78.6 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 4.7 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 52 | 11 | 39.6 | 27.0 | 80.8 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 3.8 |
| 2022-23 | IND | 73 | 25 | 42.7 | 36.6 | 83.8 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 10.1 |
| Total | 171 | 18 | 42.3 | 34.6 | 82.7 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 6.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
