According to his agents, the Indiana Pacers have signed guard Andrew Nembhard to a three-year, $59 million contract extension. This new deal secures Nembhard’s place on the team through the 2027-28 season and promises great value for the Pacers if he continues to develop as he has. Nembhard is preparing to play for the Canadian national team at the 2024 Olympics.
Drafted 31st overall by the Pacers in the 2022 NBA Draft, Nembhard played a crucial role in Indiana’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. He significantly improved his performance in the playoffs, increasing his scoring average from 9.2 points in the regular season to 15 points per game. He also demonstrated exceptional shooting accuracy, with a 56% field goal percentage and a 48.3% success rate from three-point range. Nembhard averaged 5.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds, providing another scoring option in the starting lineup alongside Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner.
Nembhard’s ability to create plays in the starting lineup was vital for the Pacers, giving Haliburton much-needed breaks from orchestrating the offense. With great court vision and a low turnover rate, Nembhard became a reliable asset. His 30-foot game-winning shot in Game 3 of the second round against the Knicks was a turning point for the Pacers, who eventually won the series after being down 2-0.
Nembhard’s importance was further highlighted in the conference finals when Haliburton was sidelined for two games. During these games, Nembhard scored 32 and 24 points, showcasing his capability to step up when needed. Although the Pacers were eventually swept, Nembhard proved his potential in critical moments.
Defensively, Andrew Nembhard has also been a strong contributor. The Pacers allowed 4.4 fewer points per game with him on the court, a significant improvement for a team that ranked 24th in defense during the regular season.
By extending Nembhard’s contract now, the Pacers ensure they secure him at a potentially lower cost than if they had waited and risked his value increasing further. This strategic move allows Indiana to manage their salary cap more effectively and retain other key players. With Siakam on a max extension and Haliburton on a rookie max extension, Nembhard’s deal solidifies this core trio’s presence on the team until at least the 2027-28 season.
The next significant task for the Pacers will be addressing Myles Turner’s contract, as he enters next season on an expiring $19.9 million deal. With Nembhard’s contract secured, Indiana has the flexibility to negotiate Turner’s extension and maintain their strong core moving forward.
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