Back in 2022, the San Antonio Spurs drafted three players in the first round — Jeremy Sochan (9th), Malaki Branham (20th), and Blake Wesley (25th). The pick that brought Branham was acquired from the Toronto Raptors and the Wesley pick from the Boston Celtics.
All three joined the Silver & Black and began developing. Sochan in particular was shuffled through various roles as the team developed, but never locked into a position. As the Spurs continued to grow, Branham and Wesley found themselves with
diminishing roles as the team built around Victor Wembanyama. The emergence of Stephon Castle and a monster trade for De’Aaron Fox left the 2022 drafted duo in the dark.
On July 9, 2025, Branham and Blake Wesley were traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kelly Olynyk. Last February, the Spurs waived Sochan. He went to the Knicks and picked up an NBA championship.
The NBA season starts Tuesday. On October 17, all three of the Spurs 2022 draft picks were waived by their respective teams.
After picking up his championship ring, Sochan signed with the Portland Trail Blazers but was waived after four preseason games. Branham, who’d been with the Washington Wizards since being traded in 2025, he signed with the Orlando Magic in September. Wesley, who landed in Portland after initially being traded to the Wizards, signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on a one-year contract.
All three were waived within 24-hours of one another on Saturday.
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