JULY 26: Nembhard’s extension with the Pacers is official, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.
JULY 24: The Pacers and guard Andrew Nembhard have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension, agents Todd Ramasar and Jaafar Choufani tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The new deal will begin in 2025/26, replacing Nembhard’s team option for that season. According to Wojnarowski, it’ll be worth the maximum amount that the Pacers guard can receive on a three-year extension based on NBA rules (140% of this season’s $12.93MM estimated average salary, with 8% annual raises).
Nembhard will earn a starting salary of approximately $18.1MM in ’25/26 and a total of $58.65MM across the three seasons. The 24-year-old is making a minimum salary of about $2.02MM in the final year of his current contract in ’24/25.
The 31st overall pick in the 2022 draft, Nembhard has started 110 of 143 games for the Pacers since entering the league, posting averages of 9.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .467/.353/.797.
While he typically starts alongside star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, the former Gonzaga standout also shares backup point guard duties with T.J. McConnell, taking on additional ball-handling responsibilities when he’s not on the floor with Haliburton.
As Wojnarowski points out, Nembhard was Indiana’s top performer when Haliburton was unavailable in Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals this spring due to an injury. He averaged 28.0 PPG, 9.5 APG, and 5.0 RPG on .564/.538/1.000 shooting in those two single-possession losses to the eventual champion Celtics.
Nembhard’s deal will be the third long-term contract handed out to a key rotation piece by the Pacers this offseason. Pascal Siakam received a four-year, maximum-salary deal, while Obi Toppin signed a four-year, $58MM pact. Haliburton’s five-year max extension, signed in 2023, also takes effect this season.
Nembhard will be suiting up at the Olympics in Paris this summer, providing depth in a loaded Canadian backcourt headlined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray.
Great contract! This dude can play and lead a team
Decent chunk of change for a guy with career averages of 9pts 4 assists, and I don’t expect him to suddenly breakout and become a 20ppg scorer, but its a smart risk type of deal. Not saying he’s on the same level but I think the Jalen Brunson situation from two seasons ago played a bit of a factor here. Brunson set himself up for a big contract coming off his good postseason and priced himself out of Dallas’ comfort zone. Nembhard shined in a much smaller sample but he teased what he could potentially do even against an elite team. If Nembhard followed up with a really good season he’d probably price himself out of Indy’s price range so makes a lot of sense to get him under contract now.
If he continues to grow and becomes their 3rd/4th best player then he’s at a team friendly price the next 3 seasons. And if he doesn’t then the cap hit shouldn’t be too prohibitive where they would have to attach a couple of 1sts just to get rid of him.
Got him at a bargain considering how much more guys will get after the new TV deal.
“He averaged 28.0 PPG, 9.5 APG, and 5.0 RPG on .564/.538/1.000 shooting in those two single-possession losses to the eventual champion Celtics.“
That’s a serious line there ……
I guess all that matters is what Pacers think of him. For a 31st pick. That’s a good chunk of change.
Gives off Jalen Brunson energy.
Still remember when he was the bench/part time starter in Dallas and in the playoffs had that really good showing before going to the Knicks who knew he was going to be a star.
Guessing the pacers thought the same, great impact/part time starter and if given the opportunity he will ball out.
I guess trying not to make the same mistake Dallas made but in saying that it only holds the player back and a couple years on Dallas really ain’t missing him as they just went to the WCF…
I’m more about the player getting an opportunity in these situations and I’d rather have seen him traded to another team that wants to play him as their starting point guard for the next decade
Yeah Brunson a 2nd rd pick too.
Shows good players always get better.
That’s a lot of money to back up Halliburton. Definitely shows the Deuce deal is a bargain. I hope Duece doesn’t get traded for a back up Center
He isn’t a backup, he’ll be starting…he covers the point guards that Hali can’t cover(most), attacks 4 on 3 when Hali gets trapped, and on defense, extends pressure 94 feet, very necessary for Pacers style of play.
Also has ice water in his veins and will only get better.
By the 3rd year of this deal, will be a steal.