Former San Antonio Spurs 1st-Round Pick to Sign With New Team
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Former San Antonio Spurs 1st-Round Pick to Sign With New Team
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 06: Malaki Branham #22 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against Dillon Brooks #9 of the Houston Rockets and Jock Landale #2 in the second half at Toyota Center on November 06, 2024 in Houston, Texas. 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. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) Getty
Juan Paolo David·HEAVY
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4 min read
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 05: Malaki Branham #22 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on April 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) Getty
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during an NBA playoff game. Getty
Branham lasted three seasons inSan Antoniobefore getting traded to theWashington Wizardsin the summer of 2025. He was waived by the Wizards in February and spent the rest of the season with the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League.
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According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Branham has agreed to join theOrlando Magicon an Exhibit 10 deal.
"The Orlando Magic and Malaki Branham have agreed to a deal, agent Deirunas Visockas of @gershbasketball told @hoopshype. Branham, the 20th pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, has averaged 8.0 points in four combined NBA seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards," Scotto tweeted.
The Magic currently have 14 players on their roster under standard contracts. Branham could earn the final roster spot at training camp.
According toHoopsRumors, Branham is ineligible to sign a two-way contract because he has four years of NBA experience.
Malaki Branham's NBA Career
Malaki Branham
GettyMalaki Branham #22 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during a game against theNew Orleans Pelicansat Smoothie King Center on April 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
After just one season at Ohio State, Malaki Branham declared for the 2022 NBA draft. The San Antonio Spurs selected him at No. 20, and he immediately earned a spot in the rotation as a rookie.
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Branhamaveraged10.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 66 games, starting in 32 of them. His role remained the same in his second season,putting up9.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
However, Branham's role diminished in his third year and appeared in just 47 games. Heaveragedjust 5.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game. He was traded to the Washington Wizards following the 2024-25 season alongsideBlake Wesleyin exchange forKelly Olynyk.
In his only season with the Wizards, Branhamaveraged4.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 28 games. He was waived in February before signing with the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League in February. He played seven games for the Charge andaveraged20.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists on 52.5% shooting.
San Antonio Spurs This Offseason
Victor Wembanyama, Tony Parker
GettyVictor Wembanyama#1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the fourth quarter against theNew York Knicksin Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City, New York.
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The San Antonio Spurs are coming off their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014. They came up short against theNew York Knicks, losing the series in five games. They were up for the majority of the five-game series, but their inexperience showed in the most important parts of the games.
