2022 NBA Draft Profile: Malaki Branham
Impact for the now, upside for the future. It's time to focus in on Malaki Branham as a possibility for the Hawks at No. 16.
Welcome to The Hawks Collective newsletter! Atlanta had a disappointing yet promising season led by the continued stardom of Trae Young, Onyeka Okongwu’s development as the center of the future, and plenty more. The NBA draft takes place on June 23, so we’ll be profiling several players who the Hawks may consider selecting with its No. 16 and No. 44 picks. Today’s subject: Malaki Branham of Ohio State.
Measurements
Height: 6-6
Weight: 194 lbs
Wingspan: 6-10
Draft Age: 19.1 y/o
Statistical Profile
The Basics: 29.6 minutes, 13.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Efficiency: 53.0% on twos, 41.6% on threes, 83.3% on free throws
Advanced: 24.1% usage, 14.5% assist rate, 1.5% steal rate, 1.0% block rate
Misc: 94th percentile as a PnR ball-handler, 82nd percentile on spot-up jumpers, 89th percentile on catch and shoot jumpers, and 90th percentile out of isolation
The Intrigue
His shooting is the main intrigue for teams due to his versatility from all three levels and confidence as a shot-maker.
Branham isn’t a lead guard by any means, but his playmaking is still above average for the 2-guard position; he doesn’t force the issue or tries to play out of the system, fitting the bill of a coachable, connector alongside a star.
Branham is also a fantastic shooting prospect off-the-catch; while he prefers to make players out of isolation — more than a player like Ochai Agbaji, who I previously profiled — but he’s still lethal running around screens.
Areas of Improvement
His defense wasn’t great as a freshman. Most of that can be attributed to having the lapses most freshmen have on that end. He has a bit stockier frame, making it tough to navigate screens and move east to west. This is definitely an area to work on.
Team Fit
Should the Hawks draft him at 16? Yes
Malaki Branham brings a good mix of Agbaji and Jaden Hardy. Lower end outcomes seeing him become a rotation contributor like Agbaji, but also the shooting to become a go-to scorer like Hardy. Next to Young, he will need to show more focus on the defensive side of the ball if he wants to earn starting minutes similar to what Kevin Huerter has done in recent years. There are realistic pathways for Branham to become a solid enough wing defender with the size and frame to defend down the line with the help of NBA strength and conditioning programs. Overall, I’d really love his fit offensively with the Hawks and it’s the typical “BPA” pick at No. 16 that causes fans to drool over the potential.