Pacers Risk Big on Braden Smith

The Indiana Pacers pulled off a surprise trade to land the 38th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft—and they’re going all-in on Purdue point guard Braden Smith. With ties to the front office and elite college IQ, Smith’s assist-leading career and winner’s mentality have the Pacers buzzing. Sure, his size raises questions, but they’re betting on his smarts, toughness, and leadership to make him a steal. It’s a risky move for a second-round pick, but if Smith delivers, it’ll be one of the smartest drafts in years. Support the show:Get a discount at https://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/02901c0a733394d8