The Spurs have signed first-round pick Malaki Branham to his rookie scale contract, according to NBA.com’s transactions log.
In 32 games (29.6 MPG) as a freshman for Ohio State, Branham averaged 13.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 2 APG on .498/.416/.833 shooting. He was named Big Ten Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Third Team for his efforts.
The 19-year-old put up 15 points and three rebounds on 6-15 shooting in his Summer League debut this evening, a 99-90 loss to the Cavaliers.
Branham was the 20th overall pick by San Antonio and will earn $2,925,600 as a rookie and $14,177,433 over the course of four seasons, assuming he receives 120% of the rookie scale amount, which is standard. As with all first-rounders, both the third and fourth seasons are team options.
Branham is the 27th first-round pick from last month’s draft to officially finalize his rookie contract, as shown by our tracker of draft pick signings. Dyson Daniels (Pelicans), Jeremy Sochan (Spurs), and Walker Kessler (Jazz) are the lone holdouts, but there’s no reason to believe they won’t join their fellow first-rounders soon.
If EVERYBODY in the FIRST ROUND signs for “the USUAL 120% of the rookie scale amount – which IS STANDARD”, then why not just INCREASE the ROOKIE SCALE AMOUNT by 20%. Seriously, with all of the contract rules, exceptions, exemptions and so on, the average person has no clue what each team is doing relative to payroll. Can’t the NBA actually SIMPLIFY this area? And while they are at it, they should simplify EVERYTHING ELSE related to player contracts !!