Aaron Nesmith signs three-year extension before start of fourth season
The 24-year-old is now under contract with the Pacers through the 2026-27 season, another player from the 2020 draft class to sign an extension.
One week after celebrating his 24th birthday, Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith has another reason to celebrate.
Over the weekend, the Pacers reached agreement with the fourth-year wing on a three-year contract extension worth $33 million, league sources confirmed to Fieldhouse Files. Woj was first to report the agreement.
The deal, which was finalized and signed Monday morning at the St. Vincent Center with teammates and staff members present, now means he’s under contract with Indiana through the 2026-27 season. That’s the next four seasons, including the one that begins on Wednesday against the Wizards.
“It’s a great feeling,” Nesimith said after practice. “I’m happy to be here, I wanted to be here so I’m very happy for the opportunity to be here for the next four years.”
An updated contract. Guaranteed money. And belief from a franchise ahead of entering his peak.
“When Aaron Nesmith came in the trade last year, we had a high hopes that he would be a long-term piece for us,” head coach Rick Carlisle said after practice. “This extension, obviously, solidifies that. We’re really happy for him. He’s a great person, he’s a versatile player, he’s tough, can shoot the ball and play different positions. It’s a great day.
“His game is totally on the come, everything about it. His ability to read defenses offensively, his ability to guard multiple positions, he can play big or small in defensive situations. All that stuff is really important.”
Already, we know what he can do defensively — guard multiple positions, take on bigger guys and bigger challenges while holding his own.
But over the four-game preseason, he impressed with the growth he made offensively. Hard dribbles to spots, curls around screens and pull-up jumpers. Most of the work over the past two months has been with top assistant coach Lloyd Pierce. Nesmith then showcased some of that in the preseason with 18- and 15-point performances.
“After having last year, a real year of being able to see my flaws and where I can improve and help this team, it was being able to say, hey, I’m not the best at these areas and really attacking it and focusing on it this summer,” he said.
Nesmith was acquired 16 months ago in a six-player deal that sent Malcolm Brogdon to Boston. Daniel Theis was part of that deal, along with three other players who were immediately waived by the Pacers. Nesmith learned he was being traded while on the sixth hole of a golf course back home in Charleston. Celtics president Brad Stevens, the Zionsville native, alerted him of the news.
“I came here with nothing but an opportunity and being able to make the most of that, make this home, is definitely a great feeling,” Nesmith said.