The 2022 NBA draft added two late first-round picks (picks 20-30) to the Spur’s roster. Malaki Branham, a 6’4” shooting guard was taken 20th (in a pick obtained from Toronto)1, and Blake Wesley, a 6’3” shooting guard was taken 25th via a trade from Boston. Additionally, the Spurs will likely obtain picks from the 2nd half of future drafts from Chicago (2025), Atlanta (2025 & 2027) and a finicky Charlotte pick that will hopefully convey — if the Hornets ever escape the lottery. With at least five non-lottery picks being added to the Spur’s developmental system, it’s high time the Professor’s Corner examines the recent history of NBA draft picks between slots 20-30 (years 2010 to 2020).
What History Tells us about Late First Round Draft Picks
