Staying Home: Braden Smith Officially Signs Two-Way Contract with Pacers
Former Purdue star guard Braden Smith is officially staying in Indiana to begin his professional career.
After being selected 38th overall in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, Smith’s draft rights were immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers in a draft-night deal involving draft swaps and Kameron Jones. Nearly two months after draft night, the Pacers officially announced the signing of Smith to a two-way contract.
A Multi-Year Journey at Purdue
Smith arrives in Indianapolis following a stellar four-year collegiate career with the Purdue Boilermakers. During his time under head coach Matt Painter, Smith established himself as one of the elite point guards in college basketball, earning consensus first-team All-American honors in both 2025 and 2026, as well as the 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year award.
In his senior campaign (2025–26), Smith averaged 14.3 points, 8.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 44.0% from the field and 36.2% from three-point range over 39 games.
Offseason Roster Moves & Two-Way Signing
Though initial reports following the NBA Draft pointed to a two-way agreement between Smith and Indiana, finalizing the deal required roster shuffling by the franchise.
- Roster Maneuvering: Indiana previously held two-way contracts with Kobe Brown and Jalen Slawson. The final spot opened up when the Pacers waived guard Ethan Thompson, who subsequently signed a deal with EuroLeague club KK Partizan.
- Summer League Performance: Prior to signing, Smith suited up for Indiana in five NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas. He posted averages of 6.8 points, 7.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, demonstrating his trademark floor vision and playmaking ability.
Organizational Fit
Pacers leadership praised Smith’s competitiveness and basketball IQ following his selection. General Manager Chad Buchanan highlighted Smith’s winning track record and toughness as key traits that align with the organization’s culture.
Under the terms of his two-way contract, the Westfield High School product will split time between the Indiana Pacers and their NBA G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants, as he begins his professional career.
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