Raptors winners and losers after interesting 2023 NBA Draft night

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Gradey Dick (R) poses with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted 13th overall pick by the Toronto Raptors during the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 05: Precious Achiuwa #5 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

Winner: The Bench

The Raptors’ bench has been a code red issue for the last few seasons, as names like Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher have been one of a very select group who has actually been pulling their weight. Even if the Raptors are banking on internal improvement, some more improvements are needed.

Dick has a very good chance of becoming the team’s Sixth Man right out of the gate. With the next two guys off the bench being rim-running forwards in Achiuwa and Boucher, adding a guard that can snipe like Dick should be a breath of fresh air for Toronto.

Gradey Dick will help the Toronto Raptors’ bench.

While Nick Nurse’s penchant for playing his starters an excessive amount of minutes hurt the Raptors in the long run, his hand was forced due to the lack of quality alternatives on the roster behind him. Rajakovic won’t have this problem in his debut season.

Dick may not be a dominant creator right away in the NBA, but he can shoot the lights out, and that should translate well from the collegiate ranks. When he meshes with the second unit, Dick might play a huge part in returning this group to respectability.

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