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Following the conclusion of the NBA Summer League, Indiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan engaged in a detailed review with rookie point guard Braden Smith, the 38th overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft. During their conversation, Buchanan sought to contextualize Smith's less-than-stellar performance by referencing historical examples of smaller guards who faced early difficulties.
Buchanan pointed to players like T.J. McConnell, Jalen Brunson, and Jose Alvarado, all of whom struggled during their initial Summer League appearances as rookies. He explained that such struggles are a natural part of adjusting to the NBA's speed and physicality. Buchanan noted, "There's these smaller guards that went into Summer League as a rookie and really struggled. And that's just part of learning the NBA game and adapting to it."
Assessing Smith's strengths, Buchanan praised his ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates, stating, "I thought Braden did a great job of getting guys shots. I think that's always going to be the strength of his game. He generates open looks for his teammates, and that's what the strength of his game is always going to be." However, he also identified areas for improvement, specifically mentioning the need for increased physicality and a greater willingness to score. Buchanan remarked, "I would like to see him develop a little more physicality. I think that will be a focus for him moving forward with his development, and a little more confidence, [specifically] looking to score the ball more."
Key Analysis
Buchanan emphasized the inherent difficulty of learning the point guard position as a rookie, noting the challenges of playing with new teammates, learning a new system, and adapting to a new coach. He added, "The point guard position, specifically, is the hardest position to learn in the NBA." This context is crucial, especially given the unconventional composition of the Pacers' Summer League roster.
During his five-game stint as the primary ball handler, Smith, who stands 5-foot-11, averaged 6.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.8 turnovers per game, while shooting a disappointing 26.4% from the field and 29.4% from three-point range. His performance was highlighted by a strong fourth-quarter showing against the 76ers, but overall, his play left room for improvement.
Despite the modest statistics, Buchanan remains optimistic about Smith's future, suggesting that a one-week sample size is not indicative of his potential. Smith is expected to spend time with the Pacers' G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom, where he can develop within the team's system and adjust to the NBA's pace. Buchanan concluded, "Overall, I thought Braden should feel relatively pleased of how things went for his first jump into the water, into the deep end." This experience could serve as motivation for Smith to grow into a valuable contributor for the franchise in the long term.