Ohio State basketball: Malaki Branham could get taken in top ten

Former Ohio State basketball player Malaki Branham is going through the NBA Draft process right now. He already went through his Pro Day and the NBA Combine in Chicago. Teams are starting to notice how fluid he is, as well as the potential he showed in the second half of this past season.

A few weeks ago, we wrote what we thought Branham’s ceiling could be in the NBA and where that might lead him to get drafted. A lot of mock drafts have him going to 14 at Cleveland. I’ve heard some teams are looking at him higher than that, some in the top ten too.

One team inside the top 10 that could take him may trade to get him. That team is the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers own the 6th pick in this draft. While I can’t quite see them taking him that high, although it’s possible they do to try and take a swing at his superstar potential, they could trade back into the first round to get him.

Multiple teams have inquired about Malcolm Brogdon’s availability. That includes the Washington Wizards, who have the 10th pick in the draft. It wouldn’t be crazy to see the Pacers trade Brogdon and take a younger, potentially better version of him in Malaki Branham.

Branham’s length at the shooting guard position has enamored scouts. That length shows he has immense potential as a switch guy on defense. His ability to shoot off the dribble is also extremely attractive as a guy who can create his own shot and shoot over defenders.

The Pacers are in an interesting spot as a franchise. They don’t necessarily need a guard, but they do need to take some swings to land a potential superstar. The former Ohio State basketball product could be that swing that they take.