Braden Smith’s Summer League Takeaways | NBA News

Braden Smith, Purdue’s hometown hero, turned heads in summer league with Pacers, proving he’s more than just a second-round pick—his seven assists per game ranked him fourth in the league, showcasing his knack for orchestrating plays. While scoring wasn’t his strength, his vision and court awareness shone through, earning praise from the GM who sees him as a winner. Comparisons to T.J. McConnell are inevitable, but Smith’s path is his own—expect growth, learning, and a likely start with the Noblesville Boom, with Pacers minutes possible if injuries strike. His shooting needs work, but flashes of elite floor generalship emerged, especially with veteran mentors guiding him through summer’s chaos. The real test? Can he translate this potential into consistent NBA success? Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d1c6c41c780cc68e