Vanderbilt’s Nesmith works out for Suns going into draft
Heading into next week’s draft, Phoenix Suns General Manager James Jones has made it clear he wants to add “shooting and playmaking” to his roster.
“The more spacing you can have on the floor, the greater the opportunities for guys like Ricky (Rubio) and Devin (Booker) to create,” Jones said in an interview last month with ESPN’s Maria Taylor. “Across the board, from position1 through 5, we’ll be looking to add shooting and playmaking for this squad.”
Aaron Nesmith checks the shooting box – with a swish.
He shot a blistering 52.2% from 3 last season at Vanderbilt, but only played 14 games as he suffered a season-ending injury to his right foot.
The Suns were impressed enough with the small sample size as Nesmith said Phoenix was one of five teams to work him out along with New Orleans, San Antonio, Miami and Detroit.
“I think they’ve all gone very well,” Nesmith said during Wednesday Zoom media interviews set up by the NBA. “I’ve put a lot of hard work and effort into those workouts. I’m excited to see the decision those guys make on draft day.”
The Suns have the 10th overall pick in the draft. Nesmith also said he has a scheduled workout with Boston later this week as NBA teams can visit 10 prospects during this unprecedented draft process amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That’ll be another good one to get in,” Nesmith said. “Another one I’m going to put my all into and give them 110%.”
A projected first rounder, Nesmith has been out longer than most as he hasn’t played since January.
He’s itching to see action in a game again.
“‘I’m just ready to go,” he said. “I’m excited. My competitiveness is at an alltime high and even though it’s not the typical draft process for me and the rest of the draftees, I’m still having fun cause I don’t know any better. To me, this is still a blast.”
Nesmith is an interesting prospect because he played for a former NBA star Jerry Stackhouse, who had an 18-year career in the league.
Stackhouse also served as an assistant in the NBA and head coach in the G League.
“It was like a dream come true having a coach like that,” Nesmith said. “... Hard-working guy. Doesn’t take crap from anybody kind of player. To come in and have a chance to learn from a guy like that, it was just a dream come true. It was perfect.”
Nesmith was leading the SEC in scoring at 23 points a game before the injury.
So he can certain fill it up. Not a playmaker, based on tallying just13 assists in 14 games, but scoring is not a problem for Nesmith.
“He was real good at coming off down picks and shooting the 3s,” said Isaac Okoro, a projected lottery pick who saw Nesmith knock down 4-of-6 shots from deep in scoring 18 points against then unbeaten Auburn.
“Coming off screens shooting 3s and creating space off the dribble.”
Okoro led the Tigers to an 83-79 home victory that January night as he scored a team-high 23 points. Okoro said the Suns haven’t worked him out, but he’s interviewed with them.
“I can see myself fitting in with Phoenix just by coming in and having that defensive presence,” Okoro said during the Zoom media interviews set up by the NBA.
“That’s what really every team liked about me. Just coming in having that defensive presence and being willing to guard the other team’s best player and shutting them down.”
Okoro said the interview “went very well” with Phoenix.
“They just wanted to learn me as a person and a player,” Okoro said as he’s worked out for Golden State, Minnesota and Cleveland and had interviews with those three teams along with New York, San Antonio, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta and Phoenix.
Okoro and Nesmith were both listed at 6-6 in college with Okoro being12 or so pounds heavier at 225. Averaging 12.8 points and shooting just 28.6 shooting from 3, Okoro isn’t the scorer Nesmith is, but is outstanding on the defensive end.
However, Nesmith expressed confidence in his ability to guard 1 through 4 positions “with high energy and high effort.”
That remains to be seen, but his shooting ability isn’t in question and he could certainly bring that to the Suns if they choose to draft him Nov. 18.