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3 free agent fits for Gradey Dick after Raptors’ solid NBA Draft

By Mike Luciano

LAWRENCE, KS - FEBRUARY 06: Gradey Dick #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives against Timmy Allen #0 of the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on February 6, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - FEBRUARY 06: Gradey Dick #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives against Timmy Allen #0 of the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on February 6, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors came out of the 2023 NBA Draft with their heads held high after Kansas wing Gradey Dick managed to fall to them at No. 13 overall. Dick is a shooter who can attack the basket when needed, making him the type of player Toronto needs in the worst way.

After Toronto missed out on Cason Wallace and decided to pass over names like Kobe Bufkin and Keyonte George, the Raptors sent the clearer signal yet that they are all-in on trying to bring back Fred VanVleet. With or without their veteran leader, they need to make sure that they can bring in more offensive talent.

Scoring and offensive electricity should be prioritized in free agency, as Dick isn’t going to be the bench game-changer that many expect him to be if he has to do everything by himself. Toronto will have enough cap space to make at least one move that can help in this area.

These three free agents are all within the Raptors’ price range, provide excellent offensive skills in one way or another, and give Dick a bench running mate he can be proud of during his rookie season. Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster’s offseason work is far from finished.

3 Toronto Raptors free agent targets that fit with Gradey Dick.

3. Gabe Vincent, Miami Heat

Vincent has been a hot name in the last few weeks, as the Heat Culture superstar seems like the perfect type of player for a Raptors team that is eyeing both a cost-effective player and a point guard that help accentuate what Dick has brought to the table.

Vincent was a bit uneven in the playoffs, as he tore it up in the Eastern Conference and started off hot in the NBA Finals before he went ice cold in the next three games. Still, the fact he managed to outperform even the most optimistic projections might get some believing that he could do the same in Toronto.

Gabe Vincent could join the Toronto Raptors.

There is a chance that Vincent ends up being a system player who doesn’t thrive once the Erik Spoelstra magic touch is gone, but the Raptors should have some degree of confidence in their ability to stomach such a pick.

With Darko Rajakovic fresh off turning Tyus Jones into one of the best basketball bench guards and a player viewed as an adequate headliner for Washington in the Marcus Smart/Kristaps Porzingis trade, a player like Vincent could be right in his wheelhouse.

While Dick should be a tremendous scorer and young prospect who can aid in Toronto’s remaking on the offensive end, the Raptors might find it very difficult to get adequate backup depth behind VanVleet, or whomever the presumed starter is. Vincent will help alleviate that.