The Toronto Raptors have been all over the place to start the second half of the season. Two wins against the rival Nets are certainly nice, but they came after both the Hornets and Hawks demolished them in concerning fashion. More losses against the Pistons and Magic set this team back even further.
Toronto is still in the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they are finding it more difficult to escape the uncertainty of that two-game slugfest. On top of that, competitors beneath them are starting to nip at their heels. With OG Anunoby injured, things are looking fairly glum.
However, amid some of their more painful losses, some players have taken the opportunity to prove their worth to this coaching staff and front office. It hasn’t helped reverse some of the losing, but they should still be commended for their efforts in this area.
The Raptors have seen been through wild fluctuations in the last few weeks. Which players are trending up? Is anyone in danger of getting relegated to permanent backup duty?
Stock up, Stock down after hectic Toronto Raptors second-half start.
Stock Up: Malachi Flynn
Flynn was really starting to run out of time when it comes to making sure the Raptors see him as a valued part of the organization, as he had not taken the sophomore leap many expected. Luckily, Flynn was given a chance to earn minutes with Fred VanVleet out. He’s made the most of them.
Since the Raptors resumed play, Flynn has averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game on 51% shooting and 42% from 3-point range. With the backcourt currently leaking coolant at an alarming pace, Flynn has done everything he can to patch up the cracks.
Malachi Flynn has impressed the Toronto Raptors lately.
Last year, Flynn looked like an overdraft in the first half of the season because of how bad a shooter he was. When given some extra run in the rotation, he exploded in the second half and earned a Conference Rookie of the Month award. Could he be in for a similar second-half surge this year?
The Raptors will likely remake their bench in the offseason, potentially with an emphasis on getting more backcourt help for VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. in the draft. Flynn could face a roster squeeze, but his standout play is making it harder for Toronto to officially part ways with him.