Braden Smith to Pacers in 2026 NBA Draft After Reported Bulls Trade, NCAA All-Time Assist Leader
After an iconic college basketball career, Braden Smith is on his way to the NBA.
The Purdue great and the NCAA's all-time assist leader was drafted by the Chicago Bulls, though he was traded to the Indiana Pacers, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Smith has won at every level he's played, taking home Indiana's Mr. Basketball award before joining the Boilermakers. At Purdue, he was a two-time All-American, the Big Ten Player of the Year, the Big Ten Tournament MVP and a Bob Cousy Award winner.
Smith averaged 13.0 points and 7.4 assists per game across his four years at Purdue, helping the Boilermakers reach the national championship game in 2023-24.
Smith finished his career with 1,103 assists, breaking the record previously held by Duke great Bobby Hurley for the most assists in NCAA history.
Now, Smith gets the unique opportunity to continue his career in the only state he's ever known, Indiana. How he'll fit into the Pacers rotation remains to be seen, but he'll have a great mentor in Tyrese Haliburton, another player who has made a name for himself with his passing ability.
The Pacers had a rough year in 2025-26, but just over a year ago, they took the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the NBA Finals. With Haliburton back in the mix after missing all of last season, Indiana should be competitive in the East once again.
Smith will probably have to fight for minutes early on, but he'll look to make an impact where he can.
