The Ohio State basketball program hasn't had a lot of players drafted in the NBA in recent years. They haven't been able to have the success necessary as a team to have individual players recognized. Malaki Branham is one of the players in the last five years who has been able to make the NBA.
Branham was a first-round pick by the San Antonio Spurs back in the 2022 NBA Draft. He was brought in by a rebuilding team as someone who could be a scorer off the bench. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to get enough playing time to really develop his game, at least this past year.
As the Spurs become better, there is now less playing time to go around. That included Branham until Tuesday evening. That's when he learned he was getting a fresh start with a new team. Branham will now get a chance to develop into the player he always expected to be.
Former Ohio State basketball player Malaki Branham has been traded to the Wizards
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Branham has been traded to the Washington Wizards. He, Blake Wesley, and a second-round pick head to Washington in exchange for Kelly Olynyk. This gives Branham an opportunity to play more on a team that isn't very good.
Coming from the Buckeyes, Branham was known as a mid-range scorer. He has tried to develop as more of a three-point shooter and ball-handler. With the Wizards, he will get a chance to do that while he continues to play through his mistakes.
Branham is about to be a free agent. He is hoping to play better with a new team and develop into a player who deserves a starting spot. The guard needs to use this opportunity to earn another contract, whether that's with Washington or somewhere else.