Raptors: Pass or pursue on 4 proposed Malachi Flynn trades
By Mike Luciano
2. The Pistons snatch up Flynn
Detroit is ready to move ahead with Cade Cunningham and whoever is their first-round pick this year as their core. Hayes was picked up before Cunningham with the intention of being a long-term ball-handling option, but whatever potential he had with the Pistons has been washed away by these last two seasons.
Hayes has averaged just 6.8 points per game on 37% shooting in the NBA, which is what Flynn has basically provided. Essentially, Toronto would be trading Flynn for an exaggerated version with better physical measurables. It doesn’t sound great to me!
Killian Hayes is too risky for the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors need to avoid getting high on their own supply regarding their defensive switchability dogma. Having players that can defend multiple positions is good, but it can work against you when you’re trading for a player that has been so noticeably bad on offense due to his traits.
In addition to the fact that Hayes is not a sizeable upgrade for a team that has postseason ambitions, giving up a potential first-round pick would be a considerable investment in such a risky player. There are trades to be made with Detroit, but this is not one of them, unfortunately.
Verdict: Pass