Should the Raptors prioritize Dalano Banton over Malachi Flynn?
By Mike Luciano
The Case for Malachi Flynn
Flynn has been a massive disappointment this season, as he is averaging just 2.8 points per game on 35% shooting. While Flynn appears to be on his way out in Toronto given how he has taken a huge downturn, there is still a chance that the player we saw last season.
Flynn averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game in April and May last season, even being named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. The pestilent defense, pick-and-roll mastery, and improved offensive creation all looked like signs that he was on the verge of breaking out.
Toronto Raptors: Will Malachi Flynn get back on track?
Based on how they profiled coming out of college, Flynn’s history as a better shooter than Banton gives him more of a pedigree that suggests he can be a dynamic perimeter threat. You don’t win a Conference Rookie of the Month award by complete accident. Something is still there.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to get too excited about a player that has regressed in his second season to the point where Nurse is leaning on lineups that feature Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam initiating the offense as a primary ball-handler.