Braden Smith, the Purdue point guard who dominated college basketball last season, is set to begin his professional career with the Indiana Pacers after being drafted by the Chicago Bulls and subsequently traded.
The Pacers acquired Smith in a deal that sent second‑year guard Kam Jones and other assets to the Bulls, a move that highlighted the franchise’s strong familial ties to the player and underscored its commitment to building around his skill set.
A New Chapter for Indiana
Indiana is also welcoming back franchise player Tyrese Haliburton from injury, a development that adds depth to the backcourt and influences the team’s strategic outlook for the upcoming season.
With veteran T.J. McConnell approaching his mid‑thirties, the Pacers are looking ahead to identify a successor, and Smith’s arrival is being viewed as a potential cornerstone for that transition.
Smith’s collegiate legacy at Purdue, where he is regarded as one of the program’s all‑time greats, raises expectations that he could quickly become a pivotal figure in the Pacers’ lineup and help shape the team’s future.