Magic signing Malaki Branham to camp deal

Malaki Branham is getting another NBA shot.

The former first-round pick has agreed to a deal with the Magic, agent Deirunas Visockas told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Per Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel, it’s an Exhibit 10 contract.

So nothing is guaranteed here. But Branham will presumably head to training camp with a chance to earn his way onto the roster.

Still just 23, Branham has already been around a little. The former Ohio State standout was selected by the Spurs with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, spending three seasons in San Antonio before being traded to the Wizards last summer.

Washington then sent him to Charlotte in February. Four days later, the Hornets waived him. Branham eventually landed with the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate, to finish the season.

He has appeared in 216 NBA games, averaging 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 33.9 percent on threes.

There was a time when Branham looked like he might become a regular piece of the Spurs’ future. That never really happened, and now he’s reached the prove-it portion of his NBA career earlier than anyone probably anticipated.

Orlando currently has 14 players on standard contracts, including Jamal Cain on a non-guaranteed deal. Branham isn’t eligible for a two-way contract because of his NBA experience.

So he’ll have to win a job the old-fashioned way.