As Aaron Nesmith lights up the 2025 NBA Playoffs with the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics fans are left wondering: could the former first-round pick have been a key piece in Beantown? Selected 14th overall in 2020, Nesmith was a benchwarmer during Boston’s 2022 NBA Finals run, overshadowed by a stacked wing rotation. Traded to Indiana in 2022, Nesmith has blossomed into a pivotal starter, averaging 15.1 points and shooting 51.9% from three in the 2025 playoffs. With the Pacers one win away from the NBA Finals, this analysis explores Nesmith’s evolution, why Boston moved on, and whether keeping him could have worked. Let’s dive into this bittersweet tale of what might have been for Celtics Nation.
Aaron Nesmith’s journey from Celtics afterthought to Pacers playoff star is a testament to opportunity and growth. During his two seasons in Boston (2020-22), Nesmith struggled to crack a loaded rotation featuring Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Grant Williams. In the 2022 NBA Finals run, he averaged just 4.1 minutes per game, often relegated to garbage time. The Celtics’ depth at wing was a blessing for their title chase but a curse for Nesmith, who needed minutes to develop. Selected for his 3-and-D potential out of Vanderbilt, Nesmith showed flashes—shooting 37.0% from three in 2021-22—but couldn’t secure consistent playing time.
The turning point came in July 2022, when Boston traded Nesmith, Daniel Theis, and others to Indiana for Malcolm Brogdon. For the Celtics, the deal was a masterstroke. Brogdon, a versatile guard, won Sixth Man of the Year in 2022-23, averaging 14.9 points and 4.2 assists. More crucially, Brogdon was later flipped to Portland for Jrue Holiday, whose defensive tenacity and clutch play were instrumental in Boston’s 2024 NBA Championship. The Celtics swept Indiana in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals en route to Banner 18, proving the front office’s gamble paid off. Holiday, now in trade rumors, remains a cornerstone, while Nesmith’s departure was a necessary sacrifice for a title.
For Nesmith, the trade to Indiana was a career-defining moment. The Pacers, coming off a 25-57 season in 2021-22, offered a rebuilding environment where Nesmith could thrive. In 2022-23, he played 73 games (60 starts), averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 36.6% from three. The consistent minutes allowed him to hone his two-way game, blending tenacious defense with spot-up shooting. By 2024-25, Nesmith had solidified his role as a starter, signing a three-year, $33 million extension through 2026-27. His affordable $11 million annual salary makes him a steal for a Pacers team led by All-Star Tyrese Haliburton.
Nesmith’s 2025 playoff performance has been a revelation. Averaging 15.1 points and 6.0 rebounds across 14 games, he’s shooting an astonishing 51.9% from three, including a scorching Game 1 against the Knicks where he caught fire from deep. Despite battling an ankle injury, Nesmith has played through pain, helping Indiana take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. His rebounding, hustle, and ability to guard multiple positions have made him indispensable. With the Pacers one win from their first NBA Finals since 2000, Nesmith’s emergence raises a tantalizing question: could he have had a similar impact in Boston?
The answer lies in Boston’s roster dynamics. In 2022, the Celtics were all-in for a championship, with Tatum and Brown emerging as superstars and veterans like Al Horford anchoring the lineup. Nesmith, then 22, needed development time that Boston couldn’t afford. The wing rotation was crowded, and players like Derrick White, acquired in 2022, offered immediate impact. Keeping Nesmith would have meant fewer minutes for White or Williams, potentially disrupting the chemistry that led to the 2024 title. Moreover, Nesmith’s growth required a low-pressure environment like Indiana, where he could start and learn through mistakes—something Boston’s high-stakes culture didn’t allow.
The Brogdon trade was a win-win. For Boston, it facilitated the Holiday acquisition, a key to their championship. For Indiana, Nesmith became a foundational piece alongside Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner. The Pacers’ back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances (2024 and 2025) signal their rise as a contender, with Nesmith’s two-way play a major factor. His 2025 playoff stats—15.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 51.9% from three—mirror the 3-and-D role Boston envisioned when drafting him. However, the Celtics’ title proves they made the right call, even if Nesmith’s success stings for some fans.
Could Nesmith have worked in Boston? Hypothetically, yes, but it would have required a different timeline. If Boston had prioritized youth over immediate contention, Nesmith might have developed into a starter by 2024. His shooting and defense could have complemented Tatum and Brown, much like White does now. However, this scenario likely delays or derails the 2024 title, as Holiday’s impact was irreplaceable. Nesmith’s limited role in 2022 suggests he wasn’t ready to contribute at a championship level then, and Boston’s front office, led by Brad Stevens, prioritized proven talent over potential.
The broader NBA context adds perspective. Trades like Nesmith’s are common when teams balance present and future needs. The Pacers’ patience with Nesmith mirrors how the Raptors developed Siakam or the Warriors nurtured Jordan Poole. For Boston, moving Nesmith was akin to Toronto trading Norman Powell for Gary Trent Jr.—a calculated move for immediate goals. Nesmith’s success doesn’t diminish Boston’s title but highlights the league’s depth of talent. As Indiana eyes a Finals berth, Nesmith’s story is one of redemption, proving he’s a “bonafide NBA player,” as Souichi Terada notes.
For Celtics fans, Nesmith’s playoff run is bittersweet. His hustle and sharpshooting evoke memories of his Boston days, but the 2024 championship ring eases the sting. The Pacers’ rise, fueled by Nesmith and Haliburton, poses a future threat in the East, especially if they reach the Finals. Boston’s focus now is defending their title, with Tatum, Brown, and Holiday leading the charge. Nesmith’s success is a reminder that not every draft pick blooms where planted, but the right trade can benefit both sides.
Aaron Nesmith’s stellar 2025 playoff run with the Indiana Pacers has Celtics fans reflecting on what could have been. His transformation into a two-way star, averaging 15.1 points and 6.0 rebounds, showcases the potential Boston saw in 2020. However, the Celtics’ 2024 championship, fueled by the trade chain that sent Nesmith to Indiana, proves Boston made the right call. Nesmith’s success is a win for both sides—Indiana gained a cornerstone, and Boston secured a title. As the Pacers chase a Finals berth, Nesmith’s story captivates, but Celtics Nation remains focused on Banner 19. Could Nesmith have starred in green? Perhaps, but the ring says it all. Go Celtics!