Malachi

Flynn

After failing to establish themselves as NBA players with their initial teams, Flynn (Raptors) and Boston (Clippers) were in Spurs training camp this fall. Unfortunately, neither could do enough to justify sticking in San Antonio. Once Flynn and Boston clear waivers, they will be unrestricted free agents.

Flynn, a 2020 first-round pick of the Raptors, has failed to lock down consistent rotation minutes at any of his three stops (Toronto, New York, and Detroit). With San Antonio signing Chris Paul and still having young guards such as Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley on the roster, Flynn faces long odds of achieving fantasy relevance next season.

This is a difficult pill for fantasy managers who may have hoped Cunningham would play in the second game of Detroit’s back-to-back. Marcus Sasser will remain in the starting lineup, and fellow starter Jaden Ivey’s fantasy value will also be boosted. While Malachi Flynn also figures more prominently off the bench, he followed up his 50-point effort on Wednesday by going 0-of-12 from the field in Friday’s loss to the Grizzlies.

Ivey had one of his best offensive performances of the season in Memphis, as he shot 6-of-8 from three and scored a game-high 31 points. The second-year guard has scored at least 31 points four times this season, shooting 56.5% or better from the field in each. Ivey needed a night like this, as he was 3-of-15 in Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks. With Cade Cunningham (knee) sidelined, these are nights when Ivey should flourish. After failing to do so in Atlanta, there were no such issues in Memphis. Malachi Flynn, who scored a career-high 50 points on Wednesday, went 0-of-12 from the field and finished with three points, one rebound, six assists, and two steals in 23 minutes off the bench.

Thankfully, Detroit is making it clear well in advance that Cade won’t play, instead of waiting until after announcing him as a starter. Malachi Flynn exploded for 50 points in their last game, and he should once again provide solid value with Cade sidelined.

Flynn came out of nowhere in this game and exploded for a career-high 50 points. He shattered his previous career-high of 27, and he became just the third player in NBA history to score at least 50 points while coming off the bench, joining Jamal Crawford and Nick Anderson. He has had some solid performances as a reserve recently, though none of them compare to what he did in this game. Detroit plays a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday, and there is certainly a chance that Cade Cunningham misses at least one of those games, which would allow for Flynn to see extended minutes.

Whether it was a legitimate mistake or a case of shenanigans, the fact of the matter is that Cunningham is a late scratch for Wednesday’s game. Marcus Sasser and Malachi Flynn will handle the point guard minutes against the Hawks, with the former moving into the starting lineup.

Sasser will be back after a two-game absence, and there is a chance that he starts if Cade Cunningham (knee) is ruled out. However, if Sasser starts, he isn’t very intriguing as a streaming option. The rookie has had some solid performances, but he has mostly been ineffective recently.

Sasser has missed Detroit’s last two games, with Malachi Flynn stepping into the backup point guard role. Flynn hasn’t been productive enough to merit being streamed in fantasy leagues, but that could change if Sasser remains sidelined and Cade Cunningham (knee) does not play.

Cunningham scored 36 points in 34 minutes his last time out, but there’s no reason for him to risk injury given the season the Pistons are having. Jaden Ivey (61% rostered in Yahoo leagues), Marcus Sasser (3% rostered), and Malachi Flynn (1% rostered) could get bumps in production if Cunningham doesn’t suit up.