Why Purdue's Braden Smith Stayed for Less Money
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – There were rumors, speculation that began around Braden Smith back in January of last season, that the then-junior point guard would put his name in the transfer portal after the season.
Purdue has resources, but not the same as some of the other programs around the country that have NIL payrolls that far exceed $10 million.
Smith, Field of 68’s Preseason Player of the Year, could have gone out and become the highest-paid player in the country. Instead, he elected to take a hometown discount to remain in West Lafayette.
“It was about the people here, the coaching staff, Coach Paint and what he’s built here,” Smith told Field of 68. “He’s a man of his word, and he does it the right way. He doesn’t cheat.”
Smith pointed to the fact that Matt Painter told him when he recruited him that if he earned the starting spot, regardless of his age and experience, that he would play. Smith has started since he was a little-known freshman and made himself into arguably the best college basketball player in the country.
Smith has started all 110 games since arriving on campus, and is coming off a season in which he averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 assists and shot 38 percent from 3.
There’s also a relationship between Painter and not just Smith, but the other veteran players in which the Purdue coach listens to them in huddles – and treats them almost as coaches in valuing their opinions.
If Braden Smith went in the portal, multiple high-major coaches told Field of 68 that he would have commanded somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 million this season.
Instead, he remained for what sources told Field of 68 was approximately half of that.
“You can go get more money, but at the end of the day you’ve got friendships and it’s a great program,” Smith said. “It’s about the people, an awesome fan base and arena.”
Smith and his teammates lost in the national title game two seasons ago to UConn, and the Boilermakers had a down year of sorts last year – finishing 24-12 overall, 13-7 in Big Ten play and getting bounced in the Sweet 16.
But with Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer all back, and the additions of big man Oscar Cluff (South Dakota State) and Israeli freshman Omer Mayer, the Boilermakers open the season as Field of 68’s No. 1 team in the country.
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