2022 NBA Draft Grades for all 15 teams in the Western Conference

Western Conference NBA Draft Grades: San Antonio Spurs

Picks: Jeremy Sochan, Forward, Baylor (9); Malaki Branham, Wing, Ohio State (20); Blake Wesley, Wing, Notre Dame (25)

The San Antonio Spurs entered the night with three first-round picks and plenty of uncertainty as to who they would draft. Dejounte Murray made the All-Star Game last season but was part of trade rumors for most of this week, meaning any position was in play for them to add.

Things were kicked off at No. 9 when they added Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan, a truly special defender who may actually be able to guard all five positions. He is 6’9″ with speed, strength, and instincts on defense and will help the Spurs establish an identity on that end. Offensively, his shot is a question mark, but that hasn’t bothered the Spurs before, and he can handle and pass well enough to glue things together.

After going for the high-upside defender, they watched a high-upside offensive player fall to them at 20 in Malaki Branham. A true gunner, Branham was a surprise as a freshman who bombed away from all over the court and played his way into leaving early. He has a lot of utility to his shot and can finish inside as well. He needs to grow more comfortable shooting three-pointers, but he may have landed on the one team that won’t push him outside.

The Spurs went back to the shooting guard well with pick No. 25, taking Blake Wesley out of Notre Dame. He was something of a hidden gem who was missed by scouts due to the pandemic but exploded as an on-ball scorer in the ACC. He is raw and will need patience, but he has length and passing ability that could pop. He could also flunk out of the league with a very low floor; it’s a high-risk, high-reward swing for the Spurs.

Grade: B