The Indiana Pacers are going to look a lot different this upcoming NBA season than they have in years past. They have a roster consisting of a lot of young players looking to make a mark in the NBA with a golden opportunity.
The Pacers are rebuilding, so wins and losses likely aren’t their No. 1 priority this season. As long as the young players are showing development and improving, this season will be seen as a success.
One player that has a chance to carve out a role and become part of the team’s core is Aaron Nesmith.
Nesmith was acquired earlier this offseason from the Boston Celtics in the Malcolm Brogdon deal. He was selected No. 14 overall in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft but never really had a chance to break into the rotation with how many wings that the Celtics already had.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Aaron Nesmith & Indiana Pacers Updates
Now with the Pacers, this will be the first time that Nesmith has a chance at earning a consistent role in the rotation. One NBA scout that talked to NBA Analysis Network is looking forward to seeing what Nesmith can do with the Pacers this upcoming season.
“Nesmith kind of got lost in the shuffle in Boston. He was pretty underwhelming when he did get run. He has a great opportunity with the Pacers. He came into the league as a sharpshooter. He’s got to show that ability again. Haliburton is going to create good looks for his teammates. They’re playing in Rick Carlisle’s system, too. It’ll be up to Nesmith to seize the moment if you will.”
In his last season with Vanderbilt, Nesmith cemented himself as one of the best shooters in the country. He was thought of by some as being the best 3-point shooter in the draft class after knocking down 52.2 percent of his 3-point attempts in 14 games before suffering a stress fracture in his foot.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Aaron Nesmith & Indiana Pacers Updates
It was on high volume as well, as he made 4.3 out of his 8.2 attempts per game, averaging 23 points in the process. After making 37 percent of his attempts as a rookie, that number tumbled to 27 percent last season as he struggled to produce with sporadic playing time.
With a clearer path to playing time, Nesmith has a great chance of getting things on track with the Pacers. He will benefit greatly from playing alongside a point guard of Tyrese Haliburton’s caliber and having a head coach such as Rich Carlisle will help as well.
