Jalen Brunson's 2026 championship run with the New York Knicks has given hope to smaller guards. At 6-foot-2, Brunson bucked the odds to end the Knicks' 53-year title drought.
What happened?
Braden Smith, the Indiana Pacers rookie, believes Brunson is fueling a resurgence in undersized guards. Smith, who went to the Pacers at No. 38 in the second round of the 2026 NBA draft, sees a revival in how the NBA views diminutive guards.
Why it matters for Jalen Brunson
Doubts about the role of undersized guards in the modern NBA have been prevalent for years. In 2023, Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon said that Brunson wasn’t a “1A dude” who could carry the Knicks to the championship.
What comes next?
Despite lingering doubts, Smith sees a bright future for small guards. He added that competing against bigger players is nothing new for him, and he compensates for his diminutive stature by making the right “reads” and doing other things besides relying on size.
In four seasons with the Purdue Boilermakers, Smith racked up 1,103 career assists, the most in the NCAA Division 1, breaking Bobby Hurley’s record that stood for 33 years. Smith isn’t just an elite playmaker; ESPN’s scouting report on him emphasized that he is “disruptive defensively for his size.”
Smith can also get inspiration from new teammate TJ McConnell, the 6-foot-1 “Floor General,” who has been a key part of the bench since signing with the Pacers in 2019. On Saturday, Smith told HoopsHype’s Sam Yip that Brunson’s success helps smaller guards.
Smith has been doubted since high school because of his lack of size. But he believes that understanding the game is more important than athleticism. Smith said that he thinks it’s the right way to play basketball, and that smaller guards can make a big impact.
The 2026 NBA Finals MVP, Jalen Brunson, has shown that smaller guards can succeed in the NBA. Smith is poised to be a solid contributor, like other undersized guards. With Brunson as an inspiration, Smith is ready to make his mark in the league.
Braden Smith praised Jalen Brunson for reviving the value of small guards. Smith believes that Brunson’s success will help other smaller guards in the NBA. The Pacers rookie is excited to be a part of this new era of small guards in the league.