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According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, former Boston Celtics ahead Aaron Nesmith agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract extension with the Indiana Pacers on Monday morning.
Nesmith spent his first two NBA seasons in Boston, the place he didn’t see a lot alternative. He averaged simply 12.7 minutes per recreation in 98 complete appearances for the Cs. In these quick minutes, the 23-year-old tallied 4.2 factors, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per contest whereas taking pictures 41.7% from the sphere and 31.8% from lengthy vary.
Since being traded away within the Malcolm Brogdon deal final summer time, Crash has been capable of finding himself a extra solidified position with Indiana. Final season, Nesmith’s minutes jumped as much as 24.9 per recreation and his stats adopted go well with. His scoring common rose to 10.1 factors per recreation, whereas he shot 42.7% general and 36.6% from deep.
In Boston, the minutes have been by no means going to be there contemplating how a lot expertise the Celtics had forward of him on the ahead spot. Different younger Cs have suffered the identical destiny at instances. Simply take a look at Payton Pritchard, Nesmith’s 2020 draft classmate.
Pritchard simply spent a whole season wanting on from the Celtics’ bench as Brogdon, Marcus Good, and Derrick White ate up the majority of the minutes on the guard spot in 2022-23. Quick PP performed a career-low in minutes at simply 13.4 per recreation, and the identical will be stated for his appearances usually as he suited up simply 48 instances final 12 months.
After a summer time of wheeling and dealing, Boston’s guard rotation bought higher — but additionally extra skinny, making room for extra Pritchard minutes. All through the preseason, the 25-year-old took full benefit of the additional time and lit opposing defenses on hearth. His early scoring outbursts made him a distinguished storyline all through the Celtics’ five-game exhibition slate and have left followers wanting to see extra within the common season.
Different latest Celtics draftees like Grant Williams and Romeo Langford have suffered from the “not getting sufficient time to point out what they’ve bought” situation in Boston — not less than for slightly bit.
Williams is a tricky promote on this one since he did play a strong position throughout his time right here. However, there have been actually instances when he was left because the odd man out below all of Brad Stevens, Ime Udoka, and Joe Mazzulla. Had he caught round previous this summer time, he actually would’ve been trapped on the bench with the addition of Kristaps Porzingis.
As for Langford, he didn’t see a lot run with the Celtics in any respect. He was finally traded to the San Antonio Spurs as a part of the deal that introduced Derrick White to city however wasn’t in a position to thrive below Gregg Popovic. Langford reunited with Danny Ainge in Utah this offseason, solely to be waived earlier than coaching camp.
Protecting a pro-career afloat whereas being glued to the bench isn’t simple, but it surely’s good to see three-of-the-last 4 Celtics first-round picks doing a strong job and getting themselves paid.
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