The Indiana Pacers walked into the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center trying to salvage something from one of the most dramatic collapses in recent NBA history. Just a year earlier, Indiana was playing for an NBA championship. Twelve months later, the organization was picking up the pieces from a 19-63 disaster. They didn’t even own a first-round pick. The franchise that had once been celebrated for its beautiful offense and relentless pace suddenly found itself in a painful reset.
In that context, the Pacers’ draft was all about finding value and proving that the organization still had a plan despite enduring one of the cruelest seasons imaginable.
Nightmare season
The descent from the 2025 NBA Finals to the second-worst record in basketball was truly unforgiving. Tyrese Haliburton’s extended absence completely changed the trajectory of the season. Without their All-Star point guard, the Pacers lost the rhythm and pace that had become the calling card of Rick Carlisle’s system. Even worse, the misery didn’t come with the typical consolation prize.
Because of the aggressive midseason trade that brought Ivica Zubac to Indiana, the Pacers’ first-round selection carried top-four protection. When the lottery balls dropped Indiana to the No. 5 spot, the pick automatically conveyed to the Los Angeles Clippers. Just like that, the Pacers were shut out of the lottery entirely. Losing a top-five pick in a loaded draft class felt like another cruel twist of fate.
Not sitting out the draft
To its credit, Indiana’s front office refused to treat draft night as a lost cause. Rather than sitting on the sidelines, Indiana aggressively searched for a way back into the draft. Their persistence eventually paid off when they acquired the No. 38 overall selection.
The Pacers have built much of their recent success through smart drafting and player development. They understand that valuable rotation players can be found outside the lottery. Acquiring the No. 38 pick was about maintaining momentum as an organization. It also ensured that a lost season didn’t completely derail the long-term vision. Well, that decision ultimately led them to a familiar face.
Pick No. 38: Braden Smith, Purdue
Grade: A-
With their lone selection, the Pacers drafted Purdue star Braden Smith. He immediately turned a gloomy evening into one of the best feel-good stories of the draft. The Westfield, Indiana native leaves college basketball with one of the most decorated résumés in NCAA history. Smith departs Purdue as the NCAA’s all-time assists leader. He finished his career with an astonishing 1,103 dimes.
Smith’s game is built on anticipation, intelligence, and elite decision-making. He manipulates pick-and-roll coverages like a veteran. He changes pace effortlessly and consistently puts teammates in advantageous positions.
On the flip side, there are a few rough edges. At six feet tall and around 170 pounds, Smith lacks the physical profile teams usually covet at the professional level. Bigger guards will try to attack him defensively. He doesn’t possess the explosive athleticism that allows undersized guards to consistently create separation.
Still, context matters. The Pacers are not asking Smith to carry a franchise by any stretch of the imagination. In reality, he could become a quality backup point guard who can eventually provide organizational depth behind Haliburton and TJ McConnell.
Perfect fit
If there is one franchise equipped to maximize Braden Smith’s strengths, it is Indiana. The Pacers have always valued basketball intelligence and unselfish play. Carlisle’s offensive system demands guards who can process information at a high level. Those happen to be Smith’s greatest strengths.
Learning behind Haliburton and McConnell also gives Smith access to two of the league’s smartest floor generals. Both players thrive because of their feel for the game rather than overwhelming physical gifts. That makes them ideal mentors for a player with Smith’s profile.
In many ways, Smith feels like a classic Pacers player. He is tough and cerebral. He understands how to run a team. Smith embraces the little things that contribute to winning.
Final verdict
Was this a franchise-altering draft for Indiana? Absolutely not. Losing a top-five pick made that impossible. Considering the circumstances, though, the Pacers did exceptionally well. They refused to let a disastrous season define them. They found a pathway back into the draft and selected a player who perfectly embodies the qualities this organization has always valued.
Braden Smith may never become an All-Star. However, that doesn’t diminish his value. High-level backup point guards have long careers in this league. Smith’s basketball IQ gives him a legitimate opportunity to carve out that role.
Sometimes draft-night victories aren’t about finding superstars. Sometimes they’re about finding hope and players who remind a fan base why it fell in love with basketball in the first place. For one difficult evening in Brooklyn, the Indiana Pacers managed to do exactly that.
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