Ohio State basketball: Where could Malaki Branham get drafted?

The NBA Draft order is set with the lottery being completed last night. The Ohio State basketball program could be getting their second player since 2015 drafted inside the lottery in Malaki Branham. With the draft lottery complete, where could Branham end up going?

This is a really deep NBA Draft, one of the deepest in the past few years. If this draft were any other year Malaki Branham would be a lock for a top ten pick maybe even top five. Right now, every mock draft that I have seen has Branham going in the top 15, putting him just inside the lottery. He is right on the border of being in the lottery on mock drafts expecting to go between picks 12 to 15.

I think Branham will fall late in the lottery in this NBA Draft which would up being a steal for a team that late. The Washington Wizards have pick 10, Knicks are at 11, Thunder at 12, Hornets at 13, Cavaliers at 14, and Hornets again at 15. All five of these teams could definitely use a player like Branham. With the Hornets having two picks within the last three picks of the lottery, I could see them using one of them on Branham to close out the lottery.

It would be a dream spot for Branham to fall to the Cavaliers at pick 14. Being an Ohio kid, going to high school in a city just south of Cleveland. He’s being projected to go that late in the lottery around the time the Cavs will be on the clock. It’s almost like it’s meant to be.

I think being drafted to Cleveland would be a perfect move for the Cavs. Branham fits their needs which is wing scoring, and he would be nice to pair with up-and-coming star Darius Garland, and Caris LeVert. The future would get even brighter for Cleveland coming off a tremendous season if they decide to select Branham at pick 14.

This draft class may be loaded with a lot of talent, but Branham by far has one of the highest ceilings of anyone in this draft. His mid-range game is lethal and can be a dangerous addition to a team needing consistent wing scoring. Expect to see Branham go in the lottery of this year’s NBA Draft. With Branham’s desire to continuously get better, and with his skillset he will make it really difficult to pass on.

I can’t wait to see what Branham does to his game at the next level. His potential is through the roof. We will find out on June 23rd where Malaki Branham will be headed.