In the 2020 NBA draft, the Boston Celtics used their No. 14 overall pick to select an athletic wing out of Vanderbilt. Just two seasons later, the Celtics traded him to the Indiana Pacers in a deal that sent Malcolm Brogdon to Boston. Now, the player in question, 26-year-old two-way stud Aaron Nesmith, has signed a $40.4 million contract extension with the Pacers. ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news on Monday night. Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith has agreed to a two-year, $40.4 million contract extension with the franchise through the 2028-29 season, plus a trade kicker, agent Mike Lindeman of Excel Sports Management tells ESPN. Pacers give Nesmith the max allowed salary via extension. pic.twitter.com/c5zUYN3yj6— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 21, 2025 While Nesmith didn’t carve out a role on the Celtics’ highly-talented roster during his first two years in the NBA, it seems like that was more a result of his youth than any lack of talent. Nesmith went on to blossom in Indiana. He’s shot 40.2 percent from three in three seasons there (4.4 attempts per game), and he’s turned into a vicious on-ball defender whom Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle often throws at the opponent’s best player. Story continues below advertisement Nesmith was a huge part of Indiana’s postseason run to the NBA Finals last season. Most memorably, he torched the New York Knicks for 30 points in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden, a performance that featured six three-pointers made in the fourth quarter alone, an NBA playoff record. Nesmith’s rise to prominence as a member of the Pacers has caused some people to say that the Celtics made a huge mistake in trading him. Story continues below advertisement That’s an interesting argument. The Celtics would obviously love to have Nesmith right now, but by trading him, they received Brogdon, who won Sixth Man of the Year in Boston the following season. Brogdon was then flipped for Jrue Holiday, who helped the Celtics win a championship in 2024. Celtics GM Brad Stevens would probably carry out both of the above trades again if it meant winning a ring. Most of the time, you have to trade away valuable pieces to get valuable pieces in return. Story continues below advertisement