PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND – MARCH 20: Braden Smith #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates a basket against the High Point Panthers during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Amica Mutual Pavillion on March 20, 2025 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Indianapolis – The Indiana Pacers completed a trade with the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday evening to secure the 38th overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft.
To obtain the pick, Indiana dispatched guard Kam Jones along with two future second‑round pick exchanges (2028 and 2030) and cash considerations to Chicago. With the acquisition, the Pacers selected Purdue point guard Braden Smith, an Indianapolis native who previously worked out for the Pacers during the pre‑draft process.
Smith topped the Big 10 in assists twice over his four‑year collegiate career and was regarded as the premier passer in college basketball. In his senior season, he posted an average of 8.8 assists per game and raised his two‑point field‑goal percentage.
He earned first‑team All‑American honors twice during his college tenure. As an Indiana native, Smith spent time at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, watching a Pacers‑Milwaukee Bucks game courtside in December. Two seats away from the action sat Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan, who now joins the front office in selecting the guard.
In his senior year, Smith averaged 14.3 points and nearly two steals per game. Though modest in stature, he has repeatedly proven his ability to thrive despite his size — a mindset he hopes to carry into the NBA.
Acquiring an early second‑round pick aligns with the Pacers’ strategy to add talent while managing salary‑cap implications. By reaching an agreement with Chicago — a logical draft‑trade partner — they fulfilled that plan.
To secure the pick, the Pacers gave up draft capital, resulting in lower selections in the 2028 and 2030 drafts. Cash considerations were also part of the deal, and guard Kam Jones — Indiana’s top 2026 prospect — will be sent to Chicago.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 10: Kam Jones #7 of the Indiana Pacers brings the ball up the court against the Philadelphia 76ers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 10, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
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Jones experienced a slow start to his Pacers career and posted a subpar 47% true‑shooting percentage during his rookie season. Efficiency issues limited his effectiveness as a scorer, even though he showed occasional flashes. In a season where a rookie would have been advantageous, Jones saw limited minutes.
He played in only 37 games for the Pacers, and his contract for the upcoming season was not fully guaranteed — a fact that signaled his limited role. The trade releases the Pacers from Jones’ contract entirely, creating valuable cap space for the offseason.
Smith can receive a standard contract using the second‑round pick exception, bringing the Pacers to 14 players under contract before free agency. The draft remains ongoing, and Indiana still has pending decisions to finalize its roster. For now, Kam Jones travels to Chicago, while Braden Smith heads to Indiana.
