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Raptors: Panic or patience on 3 struggling players

By Pirasanth Gunasekaram

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots against Aron Baynes #46 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Amalie Arena on December 23, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots against Aron Baynes #46 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Amalie Arena on December 23, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Despite the 7-11 record, this a better Toronto Raptors team right now than the team at the beginning of the season. Some of the reasons why the Raptors were struggling were because the defense was not as effective as last season and Pascal Siakam’s struggles in the bubble came with Siakam to Tampa.

Even though the Raptors are almost looking like a playoff team, there are some players who are still not playing very well. Toronto has to make some decisions. Do they bail on them and search for an alternative? Or do they stick with them through a rough patch?

Should the Toronto Raptors give up on these three, or should they tough it out?

3. Malachi Flynn

Flynn, a first-round pick and Mountain West Player of the Year, hasn’t had much playing time so far this season. Whenever Flynn does play, he hasn’t shown the way Raptor fans were hoping for. He could’ve been playing like Terrence Davis last year, who became a backup for Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, whenever they need a rest.

Instead, he hasn’t been productive so far, with the exception of the Sacramento Kings game on Jan. 8 where he played almost 17 minutes and finished the game with 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Flynn is a rookie, so it will take him at least a season to get used to the NBA’s style of play. He showed some promise during the preseason where he averaged 10.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, but his current stats of 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game show how tough the transition to the pros has been. Flynn also hasn’t shot the ball well, as he is just 27 percent from the field and 22 percent from the three-point line.

Even though he hasn’t shown us a lot of what he can do yet, it’s still a little bit disappointing that he’s struggling because of the hype that Flynn got when he was drafted 29th overall. Whether it’s because of his preseason stats or what he did with San Diego State or Raptors fans overhyping him, Flynn has not lived up to expectations.

He didn’t have to be an MVP candidate or an All-Star type of player right away, but fans expected him to be a prominent player in the lineup.

Even after all of that, there still time for him to show everyone what he is capable of. He was a masterful distributor and defender in college, and he should come into his own in the NBA with time.

Final Verdict: Patience