The Indiana Pacers acquired the draft rights to Braden Smith (38th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft) from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Kam Jones, two future second-round pick swaps, and cash, and Smith will wear No. 3.
Indiana acquired the No. 38 pick to select Purdue guard Braden Smith, sending Kam Jones plus 2028 and 2030 second-round picks and cash to Chicago. Smith, the NCAA all-time assists leader, will sign a two-way contract and be eased into action behind a guard-heavy rotation led by Haliburton, Nembhard, McConnell and Jackson.
Chicago Bulls traded No. 38 in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Kam Jones, future pick swaps, and cash; the Pacers used the pick to draft Braden Smith, leaving Chicago with two 2026 first-rounders (Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain). Jones is under a two-year deal with a team option, and the cash won’t impact on‑court moves, pushing Chicago to pursue undrafted free agents.
A Purdue expert argues the Boilermakers must slow the game to counter Arizona’s offense, relying on a veteran core—Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn—to guide them. After a clunky 4-for-20 from three against Texas, Purdue’s improved defense and pace control give them a real chance to advance, with a predicted final score of 78-75 in favor of Purdue, signaling a potential return to the Final Four driven by experience and efficient ball movement.
Purdue (27-8) meets Miami (26-8) in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 in St. Louis, with the winner advancing to face Texas. The Boilermakers ride a high-powered offense led by Braden Smith (the NCAA’s all-time assists leader) and a hot shooting stretch from Fletcher Loyer, plus strong postseason output from Oscar Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn. Miami counters with a size-heavy frontcourt in Malik Reneau and Ernest Udeh and a dangerous perimeter threat in Tre Donaldson, aiming to control the glass and slow Purdue’s pace. The keys for Purdue are protecting the ball, containing Miami’s post presence, and avoiding second-chance opportunities, with GoldandBlack predicting Purdue 80-72 and a path to California for the Sweet 16.
Braden Smith broke the NCAA all-time career assists record with his 1,077th dime (vs Queens) and then signed an NIL deal with State Farm as part of its 'With the Assist' campaign, expanding a growing NIL portfolio that includes Great Clips and NBA 2K sponsorships; his $1.1M On3 NIL Valuation ranks him among the top college basketball earners, as Purdue advances to face Miami after a 26-point, eight-assist Round of 64 win.
A Purdue-focused West Region preview predicts the Boilers open with a win over Queens, survive a Round of 32 test vs Miami or Missouri, potentially face Gonzaga or BYU in the Sweet 16, and ultimately beat Wisconsin in the Elite Eight to reach the 2026 Final Four in Indianapolis.
Purdue used a late-second-half push to topple Michigan and win the Big Ten tournament, earning an NCAA berth as Braden Smith moved closer to the NCAA all-time assists record.
Purdue's men's basketball team, currently ranked No. 10, is off to a 3-0 start but faces challenges, particularly in rebounding, as they prepare for a tough matchup against No. 2 Alabama. With the departure of star center Zach Edey to the NBA, Purdue is struggling to find a strong presence on the boards, highlighted by point guard Braden Smith leading the team in rebounds. Coach Matt Painter expressed concerns over the team's rebounding issues, especially after a narrow win against Yale.
Despite a subpar performance by point guard Braden Smith, Purdue secured a 63-50 victory over NC State, earning a spot in the national championship game. Smith struggled with turnovers and shooting, but his coach's unwavering trust and support buoyed his spirits. While concerns linger about Smith's recent performance, the team remains optimistic about his potential impact in the upcoming title game against Connecticut.
During the halftime show of the NC State-Purdue Final Four matchup, Charles Barkley mistakenly attributed a three-pointer to the wrong player, Braden Smith, who had actually gone scoreless in the first half. This led to an amusing exchange on the TNT broadcast set, with Barkley acknowledging his error in classic fashion. Despite Smith's slow start, Purdue led NC State 35-29 at halftime.
Purdue basketball defeated Gonzaga 80-68, advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019, with a record-breaking performance from Braden Smith who totaled 15 assists. Purdue will face Tennessee with a chance to reach its first Final Four since 1980. Zach Edey contributed 27 points and 14 rebounds, and Lance Jones was a key player in the victory.
Purdue's Braden Smith delivered an outstanding performance, leading the team to an 80-68 victory over Gonzaga and securing a spot in the Elite Eight. Smith's 14 points, 15 assists, and eight rebounds nearly earned him a rare triple-double, while Zach Edey's dominant 27-point, 14-rebound display also contributed to the win. Purdue's efficient offense, highlighted by 24 assists and strong three-point shooting, proved too much for Gonzaga. The team now awaits the winner of the Tennessee vs. Creighton matchup, with eyes set on a potential trip to the Final Four.
Purdue defeats Michigan State 67-62 in a hard-fought Big Ten Tournament game, advancing to the semi-finals. Zach Edey leads with 29 points, while Braden Smith's injury raises concerns. Purdue faces the winner of Northwestern and Wisconsin, still vying for a top 1-seed in the NCAA tournament.
Purdue secures a hard-fought 67-62 victory over Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals, with Braden Smith overcoming a knee injury scare to return to the game. Zach Edey's dominant performance, despite his own injury concerns, and Lance Jones's defensive contributions were crucial in Purdue's win. The team's strong defensive effort in the first half helped them maintain the lead, with Myles Colvin stepping up in Smith's absence.