Malaki Branham, San Antonio Spurs
Malaki Branham is another player who in his second year that could make a sizeable jump. Branham had a sneaky good rookie year averaging 10 points per game, and he really improved as the season progressed. So far in the NBA Summer League, he looks even better.
In two Summer League games to date, Branham is averaging 25 points per contest, including a 32-point game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Malaki looks even more comfortable approaching his second year than ever before. He’s really starting to understand when he can get to his spots, especially with his short pull-up midrange which he’s super comfortable with.
I’m not sure how many more games he’ll play considering he could be a mainstay with the Spurs this season, but Branham has really been a standout guy in Summer League. He’s one of San Antonio’s overlooked young pieces that could end up making a huge difference next season, even more so playing next to such a great talent as Victor Wembanyama.