Smith Goes Undrafted in Round 1 but B1G Well Represented

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: An overall photo of 2026 NBA Draft stage before the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Hannah Ally/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Braden Smith, the NCAA’s All Time leader in assists, didn’t hear his name called in the first round of the 2026 NBA draft. With only one major draft board having Smith taken in the late first round, it was largely expected that Smith would go in the second round. Most of the projections place Smith being selected early in the second round between picks 35 and 40.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The B1G was well represented as the conference had six players drafted in the first round. That is the second most in the first round in league history as the conference had eight players drafted in 2025. Those players and their destinations are below:

class="wp-block-paragraph">#5 Keaton Wagler (Illinois) – Los Angeles Clippers

#9 Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan) – Dallas Mavericks

class="wp-block-paragraph">#11 Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) – Golden State Warriors

class="wp-block-paragraph">#12 Aday Mara (Michigan) – Oklahoma City Thunder

class="wp-block-paragraph">#14 Hannes Steinbach (Washington) – Charlotte Hornets

#16 Bennett Stirtz (Iowa) – Oklahoma City Thunder (via trade from Memphis Grizzlies)

Where Does Smith Fit Best?With Smith going undrafted, there are a lot of options for him early in the second round that provide him with the best opportunity to have a potential impact on an NBA roster. Heading into the second round, Smith is ranked as the 9th best player overall and the 7th best guard remaining. Where would the best places for the former Purdue guard to land?

🛣️ It's been a long journey to get here.

Never count Braden Smith out. pic.twitter.com/I4HjPYeZk9

— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) June 23, 2026Pick #35: San Antonio Spurs

class="wp-block-paragraph">San Antonio has one of the best developmental systems in the NBA, built around teaching guards how to process the game rather than simply reacting to it. The organization places a premium on decision-making, spacing discipline, and executing within a defined offensive framework. For Braden Smith, who already operates at a high level in the pick-and-roll while limiting mistakes, being in San Antonio would be an ideal situation. The Spurs historically give guards the freedom to learn through reps in a system that emphasizes reading advantages rather than relying on isolation scoring.

class="wp-block-paragraph">In this setting, Smith would likely begin as a third guard who runs second-unit offense, with an emphasis on controlling tempo and making correct reads rather than generating his own shot volume. His path would depend on defensive improvement, but having a shot blocker like Wemby in the paint would limit some of those concerns. The biggest piece of this puzzle is simply that the Spurs would not ask him to be something he is not, but would likely refine what he already does well.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Pick #32: Memphis Grizzlies

class="wp-block-paragraph">Outside of Smith getting drafted by the Indiana Pacers, this would be the dream scenario for Purdue fans as he would be paired with Zach Edey (and a bevy of other young talent). That young nucleus in Memphis operates with a strong identity built around physicality, defensive intensity, and getting into transition offense. Their system is built around guards who can push the ball, make quick decisions in the open floor, and support Ja Morant by keeping bench units stable. Braden Smith would fit this structure as a secondary ball-handler who reduces turnover volatility and ensures the offense does not stagnate when Morant is off the court.

class="wp-block-paragraph">However, Memphis presents a more challenging environment in terms of his usage. While Smith’s passing and decision-making set him apart, his size and defensive limitations could become a limiting factor in high-level matchups. That is likely something that will follow him no matter where he is drafted.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Pick #40: Boston Celtics

class="wp-block-paragraph">Boston is one of the most system-oriented teams in the league, with a strong emphasis on spacing, ball movement, and low-error decision-making. Guards who succeed in this environment are typically those who can process quickly, avoid unnecessary risks, and operate efficiently within structured offensive sets. Braden Smith’s strengths as a high-assist, low-turnover point guard align well with this philosophy, even if he is not a primary scoring threat.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The challenge in Boston is less about fit and more about opportunity. The roster is typically deep with multiple ball-handlers and wings who can initiate offense, which makes it difficult for a second-round guard to secure consistent minutes. Smith would likely begin as a deep bench option, used in limited regular-season minutes or emergency ball-handling situations. While the system fit is strong, the pathway to a meaningful role would be the steepest among these options behind Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and the ways they use Jayson Tatum as a ball handler at forward.

class="wp-block-paragraph">No Current Picks: Indiana Pacers

class="wp-block-paragraph">This is the best landing spot for Smith but until the Pacers can make the move to get back into the early parts of round 2, they can’t be higher on this list.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Indiana plays with one of the fastest and most movement-heavy offensive systems in the NBA, built on constant pace, ball movement, and transition opportunities, a tailor-made fit for a player like Smith. Braden Smith’s style of play where he plays at an elite level in terms of tempo control, quick reads, and facilitating offense fits neatly into the Pacers’ identity.

“Obviously I feel like a lot of people here are family.”

Braden Smith shares what it meant to workout for the Pacers after growing up in Indiana, his favorite memory of his college career with @BoilerBall and where he sees himself fitting in at the next level. pic.twitter.com/yq7HKJ5uzm

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 15, 2026Smith would very clearly slide in as a backup point guard to Tyrese Haliburton and would likely replace veteran backup TJ McConnell. Ironically, Smith’s best projection as a player is McConnell who has thrived as a backup in Indiana. With that second unit, Smith would be playing alongside a bunch of shooters that he could find open on the wings in transition. He isn’t going to be asked to do things differently, but rather to sustain it while keeping spacing and movement intact. The main limitation is simply that Indiana doesn’t have a pick in the 2026 draft but they have made it very clear of their intentions of getting into the 2nd round to draft Smith.

Might Oscar Cluff Hear His Name Called?Of the other three players that Purdue could find themselves with an opportunity in the NBA, Oscar Cluff seems to have the best chance at being drafted alongside Smith. Cluff is currently listed as the 4th best center and 28th best overall player heading into the second round of the draft. Cluff is a throwback type of post player that doesn’t play above the rim but is elite in what he does well: offensive rebounding, scoring touch around the rim, and showed good footwork in drop coverage on defense.