After a disappointing 2022-23 season, it was clear the Toronto Raptors needed change.
The Raptors let go of championship coach Nick Nurse and hired Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic.
Having a new voice in the locker room can sometimes be the difference. Rajakovic wants to have a 10-man rotation, different from Nurse, who relied on his starters heavily.
One of the players making a push to be in the rotation is guard Malachi Flynn. Through two preseason games, Flynn has played 35 minutes. It seems that he is getting more of an opportunity in Rajakovic’s system.
Rajakovic spoke highly and expressed optimism for the 6’1″ guard, who is entering his fourth season with the Raptors:
“Malachi is somebody who I have a very high confidence in. I think he’s a player that he’s not even close to maxing out. I think there is so much room for growth in his game on the ball and off the ball … and we’re just going to continue working on those skills with him.”
Flynn was the No. 29 pick in the 2020 NBA draft and has not gotten consistent minutes in three seasons with the team. He only appeared in 44 games in his second season and 53 games last year, averaging 15 minutes a contest.
Rajakovic was a key factor in developing the Grizzlies’ young talent with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane taking leaps.
The hope is for Rajakovic to help develop Toronto’s current young talent including Malachi Flynn.
With the departure of long-time guard Fred VanVleet, the point guard is a position of need. Dennis Schroder seems locked in as the Raptors starter and Flynn has the potential to be his backup.
Gary Trent Jr. is ready to embrace bench role with Raptors
Leading up to preseason, there was uncertainty about who was going to be the fifth starter.
However, during the preseason so far Dennis Schroder has started and Trent Jr. has come off the bench.
Trent Jr. seems ready to embrace that role for this season.
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