Spurs sign Malachi Flynn to one-year deal
San Antonio lands a spark-plug guard and puts itself in a roster predicament.
The San Antonio Spurs seemingly had a set roster heading into the dog days of the NBA offseason. On Wednesday they made a move that indicates they may not be done making moves. On August 7th, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Spurs have agreed to a one-year deal with former Detroit Pistons guard, Malachi Flynn. The 26-year-old guard joins the team on a non-guaranteed contract.
Free agent guard Malachi Flynn has agreed on a one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Flynn – who had a career high 50 points in April – averaged eight points in 14 minutes per game for Pistons last season. pic.twitter.com/eOealFJJ9O
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 7, 2024
Flynn is a 26-year-old guard who played 69 games for the New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors and Pistons last season. He averaged 5.5 points and 1.9 assists while shooting 41.8% from the field, 33.1% from three and 73.2% from the free throw line. His biggest accomplishment last season came in a 50-point game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Flynn has struggled to find his footing in the NBA since being drafted by the Raptors with the 29th overall pick in 2020. After the Pistons declined to extend him a qualifying offer, Flynn became an unrestricted free agent. With a non-guaranteed deal, Flynn will have a chance to prove himself in San Antonio.
With the Flynn signing, the Spurs have the maximum 21 players on its training camp roster. This includes the 15 guaranteed contracts, the three two-ways and the exhibit-10 deals for Riley Minix and Nathan Mensah. San Antonio can have 21 players on the roster until opening night, when they will have to reduce the number to 15 and three two-way players. If Flynn plays well, the Spurs can guarantee his contract, but would then have to cut or trade a player already on the roster.
Flynn will have his work cut out for him in a crowded guard room. The Spurs already have Chris Paul, Tre Jones, Stephon Castle, Blake Wesley and Malaki Branham to play either guard spot. As San Antonio is light on wing and big men depth, it’s likely Flynn would have to replace one of the guards already competing for playing time. Some competition from a veteran looking to find a spot in the NBA could be exactly what the young Spurs guards need.
