Drafting Dylan Harper might quickly end this Spur’s long-term hopes

San Antonio plans to use the second overall pick they were awarded in the NBA Draft Lottery to select Dylan Harper. According to Marc Stein, they've indicated to several rival teams that they have no plans to trade away the good fortune they received when the ping pong balls bounced their way. That's good news for the crowd dead set on seeing the team build carefully, but it's not good for Malaki Branham.

Branham is likely going to be on his way out to make room for Harper, as the Spurs have too many guards on their roster. It process of elimination. There are only so many roster spots, and the team is looking to get better, not stay the same. You don't forgo the chance at Harper because it may hurt the feelings of a fringe player.

Branham had time to show what he could bring to the table as a late first-round pick, albeit in a weak draft. With the future only a month away, his time in a silver and black uniform is likely coming to an end.

Blake Wesley is the better long-term bet for the Spurs

When the offseason started, De'Aaron Fox could have given anyone one of those guys a public vote of confidence, and he endorsed Wesley. Blake has been the one who provides the most value when he steps on the court and shows potential to carve out a specific niche the Spurs can use down the road. He played well down the stretch of the season, and it's easy to see him build on it.

Wesley is a pest on the defensive end, and his speed gives San Antonio another player who can push the pace, leading to fastbreak opportunities and/or mismatches on the other end. He's not the passing savant that Chris Paul is, but he can make the ones you need to keep the ball moving. What he's missing is a consistent three-point shot. (Where have we heard that before?)

Coach Johnson currently has enough guards on the roster. Chris Paul is a free agent, and the roster will be crowded at his position. The Mavericks, unfortunately, make sense for him. They're looking for a point guard to step in for Kyrie Irving, so he'll be able to start.

The Spurs currently have Fox, Castle, Vassell, Wesley, and Branham under contract at the guard position. Blake and Malaki struggled to get on the floor as it is this season; adding another guard to the rotation will push one of them out completely, and my money is on Branham drawing the short end of the stick.

He's a streaky offensive player who doesn't bring any value on the defensive end. He's not very big or supremely quick. There's always the chance that Vassell is traded, but what are the chances they don't choose to replace him with an asset from free agency if it's not addressed in the trade itself?

All signs have been pointing to San Antonio's desire to return to the postseason next year, so it's more likely they'll look to bring in talent before elevating Branham to a position he's not ready for. He has one year left on his contract at $4.9 million, but that just means he's easily traded. I can't imagine he'll play another game for the Silver and Black.