RealGM

Possesses a flamethrower jump shot; he projects easily as a high-end role player, though he flashes raw ability off the dribble.

Unlimited range; spaces the floor by demanding a defense’s attention. Skilled shooter off screens who takes tight routes, makes smart reads, and has elite fundamentals from catch to release.
Comfortable shooting 3s off the dribble. He has a nice side step and stepback 3 with clean footwork.
Straight-line driver who is decisive attacking closeouts. With his size and strength, he could develop into a good finisher.
Understands his role and excels within it. He’s a great screener, executes plays, takes smart shots, and keeps the ball moving.
Competitive on-ball defender; with some improved fundamentals and athleticism, he could become far more versatile.
Intelligent defender. Though he’s not a great athlete, his positioning makes him a deterrent at the nail and around the rim.

Shades Of: Dale Ellis, Danny Green, taller Buddy Hield

Strengths: A pure shooter who put up incredible stats for the first half of the season, before succumbing to a foot injury that ended his season … Displayed tremendous range. Showed the ability to extend well past the college three and out to NBA three during his sophomore year … Has a clean, concise shooting motion, and gets shots off quickly after setting his feet … Learning some effective tricks to free himself up for shots, including ball fakes, jab steps, and moving without the ball … It’s obvious he has studied some of the game’s greats like Curry and Harden and implemented their ball skills, including step back jumpers to enhance his offensive game … Despite lacking great foot speed, Nesmith shows the ability to defend utilizing long arms, solid technique and effort … Defensive ability is enhanced by his length, maturity, focus and basketball IQ … An extremely prolific three point shooter, at least in his amazing 14 game window, knocking down 4.3 per game (on 8.2 attempts) … Was highly efficient shooting … Prolific scorer. Nesmith went for 34 points twice and topped the 25 point mark four other times in his 14 games … Excellent length with a 6’10 wingspan on the wing … A solid leaper and dunker when he gets an open angle to the rim. His long arms allow him to get well above the rim for finishes … Has a bit of an “old man’s game”. It’s not overly pretty and his legs and movements are a bit rigid, but he’s effective … Has an NBA ready body. Very good upper body strength, showing the ability to finish through contact … Shows some slick ball handling ability to create space for pull ups as well as creating driving opportunities … Steady free throw shooter at 82% in both freshman and sophomore seasons … Proved a better rebounder in freshman season, perhaps showing his ability when focused more on team play than scoring … 3-and-D type of wing prospect …

NBA Comparison: Cameron Johnson/Robert Covington

Quotable

“A lot of our plays are designed to get him threes because he’s one of the best shooters I’ve seen at this level.”

-Vanderbilt coach Jerry Stackhouse

Scouting Report: Nesmith's jumper could earn him a lot of money over the next decade. Even without much creativity to his ball-handling, Nesmith is lights-out shooting off the catch, and coaches will have a blast drawing up plays for the draft's best off-screen shot-maker.

Pro Comparison: Terrence Ross

Helsbyte wrote:I am actually more bullish on Nesmith than most. Shot 37% from 3 his rookie year but struggled this past season. A plus defender with energy. He has the makings of a good 3&D SF and it would not shock me to see him put together a strong upcoming season.

colincb wrote:Definitely worth a flyer and unlike the other players you received, excluding Theis, not just cap filler. Had a decent rookie season and then couldn't hit a shot as a sophomore, the game was too fast for him, and he played out of control (nicknamed "Crash" for a reason). Celtics fans had not given up on him, however, and if you flipped the two seasons, you'd say he had the potential to be a decent player. Reportedly hits shots in practice too.

Scoot McGroot wrote:

colincb wrote:Definitely worth a flyer and unlike the other players you received, excluding Theis, not just cap filler. Had a decent rookie season and then couldn't hit a shot as a sophomore, the game was too fast for him, and he played out of control (nicknamed "Crash" for a reason). Celtics fans had not given up on him, however, and if you flipped the two seasons, you'd say he had the potential to be a decent player. Reportedly hits shots in practice too.

I mean, Theis was a cap filler too, as he was necessary to make the deal work legally and is definitely not necessary (with him, Indy has 5 centers) to Indy. He’s a decent player. However, he’s not SOOO good that any team wants to keep him.

colincb wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:

colincb wrote:Definitely worth a flyer and unlike the other players you received, excluding Theis, not just cap filler. Had a decent rookie season and then couldn't hit a shot as a sophomore, the game was too fast for him, and he played out of control (nicknamed "Crash" for a reason). Celtics fans had not given up on him, however, and if you flipped the two seasons, you'd say he had the potential to be a decent player. Reportedly hits shots in practice too.

I mean, Theis was a cap filler too, as he was necessary to make the deal work legally and is definitely not necessary (with him, Indy has 5 centers) to Indy. He’s a decent player. However, he’s not SOOO good that any team wants to keep him.

Theis is a tradeable asset though, the other cap fillers are long-shot developmental players or candidates for overseas leagues.

Pacers Forever wrote:I hope the Pacers can remedy the power forward situation which could make it less mismatches for Nesmith going forward.

I believe that he was a great get. Hopefully his shooting percentage improves. I’m not sure if he will mature into much more than a good depth player, but we strengthen our young squad.

Wizop wrote:

Pacers Forever wrote:I hope the Pacers can remedy the power forward situation which could make it less mismatches for Nesmith going forward.

I believe that he was a great get. Hopefully his shooting percentage improves. I’m not sure if he will mature into much more than a good depth player, but we strengthen our young squad.

I think we fix the 4 and Nesmith becomes the starting 3. he's a solid defender and shots well enough to space the floor.

8305 wrote:I’m open to using Nesmith to add value in a bigger trade. Nesmith and pick 25 to move up 5 to 10 slots in the draft.

Wizop wrote:

8305 wrote:I’m open to using Nesmith to add value in a bigger trade. Nesmith and pick 25 to move up 5 to 10 slots in the draft.

I think our first offer would be Theis. Next could be Smith or Jackson and I'd vote Jackson to leave.

Buddy should move to the second unit. will he accept that or want to be traded to a contender that wil lstart him?

bottom line though is we need to fix the defense and I don't see trading one of our best (only?) defenders as a step in the right direction. I move him to 3 where he won't have to defend bigger players.

8305 wrote:Next year I’d expect 1-3 to be Hali, Mathurin and Nembhard. There would still be plenty of minutes for Nesmith. I worry that the Pacers will fall into the trap of over valuing nice roll players while they are still short on higher end talent.

certainly possible. I think I'd prefer Hali, Mathurin, and Nesmith with Nembhard and McConnell being the second unit backcourt.

8305 wrote:I expect them to revisit big swings for OG or Mikal Bridges.

Wizop wrote:

8305 wrote:I’m open to using Nesmith to add value in a bigger trade. Nesmith and pick 25 to move up 5 to 10 slots in the draft.

I think our first offer would be Theis. Next could be Smith or Jackson and I'd vote Jackson to leave.

Buddy should move to the second unit. will he accept that or want to be traded to a contender that wil lstart him?

bottom line though is we need to fix the defense and I don't see trading one of our best (only?) defenders as a step in the right direction. I move him to 3 where he won't have to defend bigger players.

Scoot McGroot wrote:I like the idea of Nesmith as the backup 3/situational defender, though.