Mike Baugh

I keep hearing from people that Braden Smith was drafted by the Pacers to “Appease the fanbase.” That’s an incredibly lazy narrative. Braden Smith wasn’t drafted because he played at Purdue. He was drafted because he’s one of the most accomplished point guards college basketball has ever produced. His resume speaks for itself: • NCAA Division I all-time assists leader (1,103 career assists) • Only player in NCAA Division I history to total at least 1,500 career points, 1,000 assists and 500 rebounds. • NCAA all-time leader in career minutes played • 2× Consensus First-Team All-American (2025, 2026) • Bob Cousy Award winner (2025) as the nation’s top point guard • Big Ten Player of the Year (2025) • 3× First-Team All-Big Ten (2024–2026) • Big Ten Tournament MVP (2026) • Finalist for the John R. Wooden Award twice (2024-25, 2025-26) and Naismith Trophy once (2024-25). • Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2023) • Indiana Mr. Basketball (2022) You put that body of work on any other player and they are a Top 15 pick. But Braden’s value goes far beyond awards. He’s the definition of a team-first leader. His work ethic is second to none. He outworks people, makes everyone around him better, and has always put winning ahead of personal accolades. You don’t become the NCAA’s all-time assists leader by chasing your own stats, you do it by trusting your teammates, making the right play every possession, and elevating everyone on the floor. He earned every one of those honors through toughness, leadership, basketball IQ, and an unwavering commitment to his team. Those qualities translate at every level. The Pacers didn’t draft him to “appease Purdue fans.” They drafted one of the greatest collegiate point guards of all time, a proven winner whose resume, leadership, and selfless style of play made him one of the safest and smartest picks available. Anyone reducing that to “fan service” either hasn’t watched him play or is choosing to ignore one of the greatest careers a college point guard has ever had. The disrespect that Braden Smith gets on a daily basis is ridiculous. He has accomplished more than most players could ever dream about. Would you rather draft him, someone that’s proven everybody wrong every step of the way, OR let another team take him and have him beat you for the next 15 years. For the Pacers to get Smith for Jones is a steal. Jones only played 37 games for the Pacers while splitting time with the Boom. Plus, Smith is a much better fit for the offense with his court vision and ability to find open players. This is especially important as TJ McConnell is getting closer to retirement. So to Appease the Fan Base? Sure, because we know what Smith is capable of doing on the court.