Raptors: Pass or pursue on 4 proposed Malachi Flynn trades

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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – FEBRUARY 02: Rudy Gay #8 of the Utah Jazz attempts a shot over Zeke Nnaji #22 of the Denver Nuggets (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

3. Denver takes Flynn

While Nnaji was thought of highly when Denver made him a first-round pick, it’s going to be hard for him to break into a lineup that already features back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. Trading him and getting more point guard depth behind Jamal Murray and Monte Morris could appeal to Denver.

Flynn could go to a team crying out for more scorers to take the pressure off of Jokic. If Flynn hits his stride, he’ll easily take Facundo Campazzo’s spot in the rotation. Nnaji would be another young athletic big man that Nick Nurse could bring on and turn into a quality two-way player.

This Nuggets-Raptors Malachi Flynn trade could work.

After just one season, the Raptors helped make Precious Achiuwa a two-way standout, and Nnaji could be in for a similar production spike. Nnaji is already an elite 3-point shooter with a 44% success rate on just under two attempts per game, so he could morph into a top sniper with the Raptors.

Nnaji might not fit the highest requirements that some Raptors fans want for their newest big man, but it’s hard to get too grouchy with regard to the idea of adding a youngster with his potential. He and Achiuwa could form a super-young frontcourt of the future behind Pascal Siakam.

Verdict: Pursue