A while back as we entered the new year, I took a look at some ex-Raptors players who still remained without NBA jobs. One such player on that list was Bismack Biyombo, who at the turn of some unfortunate injury news to star big man Victor Wembanyama, is serving the center duties for a depleted San Antonio Spurs.
Well, as we get ready to close February, another former Raptors roster member can take solace in their NBA hopes remaining alive, as Malachi Flynn has inked a 10-day deal with the Charlotte Hornets.
Ex-Raptors guard Malachi Flynn signs 10-day contract with Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are signing guard Malachi Flynn to a 10-day contract, sources tell ESPN. Flynn has played for the Austin Spurs in the G League this season and now enters his fifth NBA season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2025
Flynn, who was the Raptors' 29th overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, spent four seasons with the franchise before being included in the star-studded swap between Toronto and New York that rerouted OG Anunoby to the Big Apple and the duo of Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett to the Six.
Flynn's stint in Toronto was far from stellar, as he faced many setbacks regarding consistent production, efficiency issues, and trust within the Raptors' rotation—both in the Nick Nurse and Darko Rajakovic eras.
It was only during the 2023-24 season that I began to see a solid trend of minutes and output from the former San Diego State product, with one standout game against Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving sticking out the most to me.
Just as it seemed Flynn might have found his footing in the Toronto outlook, the team parted ways with him shortly thereafter. He enjoyed a brief stint with the Knicks before packing his bags once again for the Detroit Pistons at the 2024 trade deadline.
On the Pistons, Flynn would deliver a sudden 50-point barrage off the bench, a performance that eclipsed a former franchise record set by Rip Hamilton's 38-point outing off the bench in February 2009.
Unfortunately, that random offensive burst couldn't translate into a rhythm of consistency—a long-standing issue in his career—and he would enter the 2024-25 season playing for the Austin Spurs G League team.
Flynn needs to make the most out of this opportunity and show that he's discovered a new stride in his game, presenting himself as a more polished NBA talent. Luckily for him, the Charlotte Hornets could be a solid temporary option for finding NBA work, as they could use a boost in offense and guard depth.