21 hours ago
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Former Purdue star and Westfield grad Braden Smith is staying home.
The Indiana Pacers traded for Smith, the NCAA all-time assist leader, in the second round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday night. The Pacers sent the Chicago Bulls guard Kam Jones, two future second-round pick swaps, and cash in exchange for Smith, who was taken No. 38 overall.
The Pacers have signed Smith to a two-way contract.
Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan shared what stood out to him about Smith.
“There’s certain players you see early on that just kind of gives you an itch,” Buchanan said. “You just see certain qualities. Braden from the very beginning up till today has a competitive will that is very hard to put a measure on and a value on. He’s always won. He impacts winning.”
“His basketball IQ is extremely high,” Buchanan added. “You look at the players in this draft, what he accomplished in college and you look at the other point guards in this draft, his ability to make plays for other players, see things that other players can’t see is a special trait.”
Buchanan was talking to Purdue head coach Matt Painter and the biggest thing Painter said is that Smith impacts winning. Buch...
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