Ranking the best fits for Raptors backup point guard role
By Mike Luciano
2. Malachi Flynn
Flynn has put on one of the most showstopping performances any Raptors player has ever exhibited in the pro-am circuit. Flynn not only dominated a showcase that Scottie Barnes attended, but he put up an insane 73 points in a CrawsOver game. The San Diego State product has his swagger back.
Flynn has been a pesky defender when the moment calls for it, and he’s shown that he can handle the ball and distribute at an NBA level. However, the scoring quality that helped make him Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in 2021 has never shown up consistently enough to become a long-term contributor.
Malachi Flynn must improve for the Toronto Raptors.
It’s easy to pile up the points against LA Fitness superstars, but the Raptors need to see something more tangible before they are fully convinced. After holding onto Flynn despite being given every opportunity to move off him in the last few months, Masai Ujiri seems confident he will turn things around.
Flynn’s playing time was wildly uneven last year. He’d go from a valued rotation member to a Raptors 905 mainstay in the blink of an eye. Giving him consistent minutes will be the best way to finally unearth all of the potential he has inside.