Behind the scenes of Aaron Nesmith suddenly being traded by Boston to Indiana

The former Celtics guard was on a golf course in his hometown when he was shocked to learn that he was dealt to the Pacers. I retraced his steps.

CHARLESTON — Aaron Nesmith was “completely caught off guard” to be traded by the Boston Celtics this past summer. He was fully expecting to return to Boston, coming off an NBA Finals appearance, for his third season since being drafted 14th overall in 2020.

Nesmith remembers exactly where he was and what he was doing.

The guard was back in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina playing a round of golf. He played several times a week in the offseason.

“We’re no good. We’re learning,” he acknowledged. Nesmith wasn’t even sure if he had a handicap.

He and a few friends were playing at Charleston Municipal Golf Course and they had just reached the sixth hole when his phone rang.

It was around 10:00 am on Friday, July 1.

On the other end was was Brad Stevens, the Zionsville native and the president of basketball operations for the Celtics.

Stevens informed him that he was being dealt to Indiana, along with four others and a 2023 first-round pick, for Malcolm Brogdon.

“He believed in me and (said) that it would be a great opportunity for me going forward,” Nesmith recalled.

After Nesmith shared with me at summer league exactly where he was when he got The Call, I drove to Charleston a few weeks later to check it out.