Pacers Assistant on Braden Smith: 'The Best Young Passer I've Ever Seen'

Asked about Indiana's two-way players at Summer League in Las Vegas, an Indiana Pacers assistant coach answered anonymously in a conversation with Keith Smith of Spotrac.

"Jalen Slawson is better than a two-way player. I'm hopeful we'll have him back next season," the assistant coach said. "Braden (Smith) is tough. He's the best young passer I've ever seen. Every time, the ball is exactly where it needs to be. He rebounds and competes on defense despite being small too. He'll really help keep our G League team organized, but he could be the next rotation guard we develop too."

Slawson re-signed with Indiana on a two-way deal after Summer League ended.

The Pacers had first signed Slawson to a two-way contract on Feb. 28, the same day they converted Quenton Jackson to a standard NBA deal. Indiana issued Slawson a qualifying offer before free agency opened, making him a restricted free agent.

Slawson, 26, is a 6'7" forward who averaged 20.8 points, nearly 7 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks over five Vegas games. He scored 26 versus Philadelphia and finished with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks in the final game.

He made 85% of his shots from within 3 feet last season. Among Pacers who played last season, only Mac McClung averaged more steals than Slawson's 1.5 per game. Slawson added 1.1 blocks.

Smith was the No. 38 pick in the 2026 draft, selected by Chicago and traded to Indiana. He agreed to a two-way contract on draft night. He grew up in Westfield, about 20 miles north of downtown Indianapolis.

At Purdue, Smith became the NCAA's all-time assists leader. He passed Bobby Hurley's mark of 1,076 in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament and finished his career with 1,103. He started all 149 games he played and set the Purdue record for minutes at 5,067.

As a senior, Smith averaged 14.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in 39 games. He shot 44.0% from the field, 36.2% from 3-point range, and 82.5% from the line. He was named Big Ten Player of the Year and won the Bob Cousy Award in 2025.

Smith accumulated 292 assists as a sophomore and 313 as a junior, helping Purdue reach the 2024 national championship game.

In Las Vegas, Smith scored 16 points in one outing. He closed the summer with 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 9 assists in Indiana's finale.

The Pacers went 2-3.

Kobe Brown, acquired in the Ivica Zubac trade, signed a two-way deal the day before Summer League began. Indiana waived Taelon Peter. Ethan Thompson is also under a two-way contract.

A two-way player can spend up to 50 games with the NBA club and earns roughly $700,000. That salary does not count against the cap.

Indiana's G League affiliate is the Noblesville Boom.