Malachi Flynn struggling with Raptors 905 in G league is concerning

Masai Ujiri’s Toronto Raptors have done an excellent job at drafting late in the first round and developing young talent, as evidenced by names like Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam improving their game with Raptors 905 in the G League. One player who has not improved in the way Toronto hoped has been point guard Malachi Flynn.

Flynn, who won an Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award last year, was expected to serve as the backup point guard behind VanVleet. Not only has Dalano Banton jumped over him in the rotation, but Nick Nurse was more willing to give Scottie Barnes reps at point guard than Flynn.

Flynn was sent down to the G League with the expectation that he would be able to regain his confidence and light up the scoreboard. The exact opposite happened, as he is now unable to stand out against some inferior competition.

While Raptors 905 did take home a win against the Westchester Knicks, Flynn played just 25 minutes and went 3-12 from the field while turning the ball over twice. This was the latest in a series of concerning offensive performances.

Toronto Raptors guard Malachi Flynn played poorly for Raptors 905.

Flynn is one of the few Raptors youngsters who is regressing. While Banton has hit a rookie wall in the NBA, he has proven to be much too talented for the G League. Justin Champagnie has consistently been earning NBA minutes. David Johnson is averaging 13.9 points per game while cutting down on his turnovers for Raptors 905.

Even Isaac Bonga has something to write home about, as he is averaging a double-double in the G League while making 38% of his 3-point attempts.

Not only is Flynn averaging just 2.9 points per game on 35% shooting in the NBA, but his numbers in the G League are just as unsavory. 17.3 points and 4.3 assists per game might sound like solid averages during his three games in Mississauga, but Flynn is shooting 30% from the field and 27% from 3-point range on 10 attempts per game.

He is also turning the ball over four times per game. You don’t need an analytical basketball mind to know that’s bad.

In his rookie year, Flynn had the ability to get to the rim, defend all 94 feet of the court, and score from the perimeter. He looks like a completely different player this season, and Toronto may need to consider moving off of him.

With the Grizzlies having brought a knockdown shooter and long-term contributor in Desmond Bane to Memphis with the pick directly after the one Toronto used on Flynn, the lack of confidence and efficiency from the San Diego State product has been shocking.

If he can’t rediscover that competency before the season ends, he could go down as one of the few Ujiri draft misses during his Toronto tenure.