Full Breakdown
Pacers Delay Signing 2026 Second-Round Pick Braden Smith
7/28/2026, 2:41:33 PM
The Signing Stalemate
Weeks after selecting Purdue guard Braden Smith with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers have not announced a contract. The situation was highlighted on March 20, 2026, when the team was still weighing its roster options.
Roster Mechanics and Cap Constraints
General manager Chad Buchanan explained that the Pacers are “tight to the first apron” and hard-capped, limiting flexibility for the final (15th) standard-roster spot. Although the franchise has enough space beneath the apron to offer Smith a rookie-minimum deal of roughly $1.35 million, doing so would consume that last spot and reduce overall roster maneuverability. The team also must consider its three existing two-way contracts—occupied by Ethan Thompson, Jalen Slawson, and Kobe Brown—because signing Smith to a two-way deal would require waiving one of those players.
Evaluating Ethan Thompson
Buchanan emphasized Thompson’s value, noting his high-scoring, efficient play in the G League and his recent contributions to the Puerto Rican national team. Thompson’s presence in the G League is seen as beneficial for Smith’s development, but the Pacers are reluctant to lose a player who can immediately step in if injuries arise. As of April 5, 2026, the organization highlighted that players on two-way deals need to be “NBA-ready” rather than purely developmental.
Options on the Table
The Pacers could follow a blueprint used previously with Kam Jones, offering Smith a partially guaranteed standard contract that preserves flexibility. Alternatively, they might retain all three current two-way players and add Smith as a developmental two-way, though this would leave no room for additional depth. Buchanan also noted that minimum contracts are prorated; waiting until later in the season would lower the financial impact, providing extra cap space without creating new roster spots.
Outlook
With training camp still weeks away, the Pacers have no immediate deadline to sign Smith. The front office is expected to continue evaluating whether to use the final roster spot for Smith, adjust two-way allocations, or wait for a more favorable financial window. Ultimately, the decision hinges on balancing roster depth, cap flexibility, and the desire to keep Thompson within the organization.
