The Boston Celtics drafted Aaron Nesmith with the 14th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Upon his debut, he struggled to find a consistent role, as he was behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the rotation.
When Nesmith did play, he often found himself making noise as a wing defender, rather than as a sharpshooter. In his two seasons with Boston, he averaged 31.8% from 3-point range, on just 2.3 attempts per game.
Then, Nesmith was traded to the Indiana Pacers in a deal that sent Malcolm Brogdon to Boston. Under head coach Rick Carlsile, on a rebuilding Indiana squad, Nesmith was afforded the playing time and leniency to make necessary mistakes.
In his three years with the Pacers, Nesmith has shot 40.2% from 3-point range on 4.4 attempts per game. He’s also averaging 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Most importantly, he’s become a starter on one of the most exciting young teams in the league.
Nesmith is preparing for his second Eastern Conference Finals in three years.
The growth we’ve seen from the Vanderbilt product would likely not have happened had he remained in Boston. Not because the Celtics can’t develop young talent — we’ve seen far too much proof to the contrary — but because his situation on that roster wasn’t conducive to his development.
Young talents need an environment that allows them to grow through mistakes. That’s why rebuilding teams prioritize young talent. The best way to make a star is to let them play and figure things out.
Nesmith will never be a Tatum or a Brown. He is, though, a proven starter capable of holding his own against the best in the world, on both sides of the floor. He’s getting closer to becoming a champion.
With the 2025 draft drawing close, it’s worth remembering that not every struggling player is a dud. Situation and roster fit are key components of a successful NBA career. Unfortunately, players don’t have a say in where they end up. Nor can they envision how they will slot into a coach’s plans before they get into the setup and begin fighting for minutes.
Success has multiple layers, and Nesmith’s career proves that changing teams can significantly alter a trajectory.
