Incorporating teenage prospect Aaron Nesmith into the trade package that brought Malcolm Brogdon to Boston last summer, the Celtics decided to benefit themselves more now than later. Nesmith has performed exceptionally well in Indiana over the previous 12 months; this month, Indiana awarded him a $33 million, three-year contract extension. The winger disclosed the motivation he has been fueled by since the Celtics sent him away after just two seasons as he made his way back to Boston on Wednesday night for a game against his old team.
Nesmith took to social media over the weekend, sharing a post from Bleacher Report that stated the Celtic didn’t give up many assets in their trade for Brogdon last summer. Before Wednesday’s game, Nesmith explained why that analysis is still on his mind more than a year later.
“As soon as the trade happened, I saw the tweet and I saved it immediately,” Nesmith said. “I’m someone who I do take things personally and that helps make me better. It’s what drives me to go to the gym at night, so the tweet was always on my mind for sure.”
Nesmith didn’t print out a copy of the tweet but has it on the ready whenever he needs it.
“I saved it in my favorites,” he admitted. “Sometimes if I’m having a good day or something, I open up the photos and it’s in there. Just makes me want to go to the gym.”
While it was just one opinion of the deal, the fact that the analysis came from a national outlet added to its significance in Nesmith’s eyes.
“Everybody’s entitled to their own opinions, but when you have a legitimate, like, source or whatever tweets it, holds more weight,” Nesmith said. “More people see it.”
The No. 14 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has done well in proving he was more than a throw-in for that deal, which also included Daniel Theis, a 2023 first round pick and salary filler. The 6-foot-5 guard erupted for a career-high 26 points last week off the bench and has played himself into a meaningful role on a young but deep Pacers squad, leading to a sizable rookie extension last week.
“It’s a blessing, the opportunity I have here, the guys here, the staff here, the front office,” Nesmith said. “I wanted to be here for a long time, so I’m happy we were able to make that happen.”
Nesmith holds no hard feelings for the Celtics after the deal and speaks fondly of his time with the team before the next chapter especially what he learned on the defensive end.
“I would say, being able to learn… from the Jays, when Marcus was here, their day to day routine, Al, like those guys are vets of vets, so definitely taking little from those guys and using them…During my time, I had to do whatever I could to be on the floor and you know, that was the role that I was required to play.”
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