It took nearly two full months for Braden Smith to sign his two-way contract with the Pacers after the team acquired his rights in a draft-day deal with Chicago, but this year’s 38th overall pick says he didn’t mind waiting, per Tony East of Forbes.

“Through the whole process, I knew it was going to end up like what they already said (with Smith on a two-way deal), so I already had that idea,” Smith said of his trust in the Pacers during the patient days. “Plus, it’s a contract, and it doesn’t really need to be signed until what, November-ish? So for me, I was just like, stay with it, get in (the gym), get better. That’s the main focus.”

The NCAA’s all-time assists leader will split his rookie season with the Pacers and the Noblesville Boom, the team’s G League affiliate. Smith grew up in nearby Westfield, Indiana, and is thrilled to represent his hometown team.

“It’s awesome,” Smith said of officially signing with the Pacers. “Being from here and watching them my entire life growing up, and also being a fan of everybody and now being a part of it and getting to experience that, it’s an awesome opportunity.”

We have more on the Pacers:

• Smith recently said he’s determined to “be better” after a shaky Summer League showing last month, adding that he’s “come a long way” since then. The 6’0″ point guard thinks he has a strong ability to adjust within games, East writes. That could serve him well in Indiana’s uptempo offense, which is centered on feel and “randomness.” “I think it’s more mental than anything,” Smith said of that skill. “At the same time, it’s also getting a feel.“
• Jay Huff added 10-to-15 pounds of muscle this summer while working on his conditioning and jump shot, according to East of Forbes. The 7’1″ big man, who turned 28 years old last week, has spent most of the offseason in Indianapolis and has gotten to play pickup games with Tyrese Haliburton for the first time after the star point guard missed all of 2025/26 due to a torn Achilles tendon, Forbes notes. Huff projects to be on the same team on opening night for consecutive seasons for the first time in his career and he enjoyed a level of contractual security he’d never had previously after having his 2026/27 salary guaranteed in January by reaching a minutes-played threshold. “Love not having to move,” Huff said. “I love being employed. That is really nice. … It was great.”
• Starting center Ivica Zubac had a big game for the Croatian national team on Sunday in a qualifying game for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, the Pacers noted (via Twitter). Zubac posted 24 points (on 8-of-10 shooting), 11 rebounds and two blocks and was plus-17 in a two-point victory over the Netherlands. Croata is now 7-1 in Group K ahead of the next qualifying window, which will take place in late November.