The Toronto Raptors may have used a first-round pick on point guard Malachi Flynn in 2020, but it is becoming increasingly unlikely that the San Diego State product remains in Toronto’s long-term plans. In a year where everyone expected him to take a step forward, Flynn has regressed.
Flynn is averaging just 2.8 points per game on 35% shooting, and he has completely fallen out of the rotation as a result. Any chance of Flynn potentially reasserting himself in the Toronto lineup looks very unlikely. Dalano Banton appears to have usurped him in his rookie year.
Still, Flynn has some talent, and some team will be willing to acquire a player that was a Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. With the Raptors potentially in the mood to make some trades, Flynn might have some franchises interested in acquiring him.
If the Raptors want to throw Flynn in as part of a bigger trade or try to convince a team to part with a second-round pick in exchange for him, they should get one of these three franchises on the phone. Perhaps a change of scenery could help Malachi finally evolve into a solid player.
3 trade destinations for Toronto Raptors point guard Malachi Flynn.
3. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have been very open in their desire to rebuild by moving off of either Myles Turner or Domantas Sabonis. While Flynn by himself wouldn’t be a very enticing offer for Indiana, he might intrigue them as a throw-in as part of a larger trade. He could become Malcolm Brogdon’s backup.
The Pacers are currently leaning on names like Keifer Sykes and Duane Washington Jr. to eat up minutes as a ball-handler with some big names out. Even with his lackluster stats this season, there’s reason to believe Flynn would be a better addition than these two players.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Indiana could gamble on Malachi Flynn
Flynn was Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month last season, and the Pacers might be able to tap into some of that offensive potential. While he has struggled this season, it’s highly unlikely he forgot how to play basketball in such a jarring fashion over the course of one offseason.
Flynn might not be getting minutes because Nick Nurse is using a truncated rotation in order to secure some postseason wins, but it’s hard to make an impact when you’re playing in such a reduced capacity. Indiana would give Flynn the minutes he needs to turn his career around.
2. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have their heliocentric superstar in Trae Young in place, but this organization needs to find him some better bench support. While Flynn is several tiers below Cam Reddish as a player, the fact that Atlanta dealt him shows that they are open for business in the trade market.
While Delon Wright, another point guard the Raptors took in the first round, has done a solid job backing up Young this season, he is a free agent at the end of the year. Could Atlanta view Flynn as enough of a developmental prize to make a deal and acquire him?
Toronto Raptors rumors: Could Malachi Flynn back upon Trae Young?
The acquisition of Kevin Knox in the Reddish trade could mean that GM Travis Schlenk is interested in bringing in failed first-round picks and attempting to jump-start their career. Could Flynn be next on that list? He’d play in an offense that requires a ton from their point guards.
Flynn might not be a 15 point per game scorer at this level, but he’s also not someone that can’t cut it at the professional rank. The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle ground, and the Hawks could help him discover that truth by giving him a defined role behind a star in Young.
1. San Antonio Spurs
With the Jakob Poeltl trade rumors starting to fly, San Antonio might be intrigued enough by Toronto’s collection of assets to send the Austrian big back home. Flynn could be on his way to Texas in this case, where Gregg Popovich will be charged with overseeing his development.
Popovich has helped Dejounte Murray become one of the game’s most underrated players while improving two other No. 29 overall picks in Derrick White and Keldon Johnson. Could Flynn be the next project that Popovich starts molding into an above-average player?
Toronto Raptors rumors: San Antonio could rehabilitate Malachi Flynn.
While Popovich might not run the most high-octane offense in the world, countless backcourt players have entered his scheme as raw, inefficient players and left being able to hold their own in the pros. Flynn could be along for a similar journey in San Antonio.
Flynn has worked his tail off in Toronto, but something about his style of play and what Toronto wants to accomplish on offense just isn’t working. perhaps moving to the Spurs could benefit all parties, as it gives Popovich a chance to evaluate Flynn’s ability to make an impact as a bench piece for 2022 and beyond.