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3 player comparisons for Toronto Raptors draft pick Gradey Dick

By Mike Luciano

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Gradey Dick arrives prior to 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 Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 22: Gradey Dick arrives prior to 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 Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors finally decided to add some shooting in the NBA Draft, using their lone selection in 2023 (No. 13 overall) on Kansas wing Gradey Dick. Based on the early reaction to the pick, Toronto appears to have hit yet another home run with their lottery selection.

The Raptors needed to bring in a young guard who could snipe from 3-point range while giving the bench an injection of energy, and Dick seems to check both of those boxes. Dick could be a serious All-Rookie team contender if the new coaching staff leans into him.

Dick’s style of play is exactly what the NBA is looking for right now. There will always be a market for shooters, especially 6-8 ones with the ability to jump out of the gym and get their fair share of looks near the basket. Dick is the type of player that is sorely needed in Toronto.

When looking at Dick’s future career and what it will take to get the most out of him, the archetypes of what he could become are very clear to see. Dick figures to have a long career as either a low-end replacement-level wing, a solid two-way shooter on payoff teams, or a game-changer who dominates on both ends.

3 player comparisons for Toronto Raptors wing Gradey Dick.

Low-End: Reggie Bullock

Bullock has become a wandering ronin of sorts, constantly swapping teams around the NBA and providing replacement-level 3-point shooting and feisty defense for contenders and tanking teams alike. Think of Bullock as the platonic ideal of what a bench shooter should be.

While Bullock has had some solid seasons in the pros, he has never been stuck in one place for very long due to the fact his game never really expanded beyond shooting and the occasional pesky play on the defensive end. Dick ending up with a Bullock-like career would be a major disappointment.

Will Raptors’ Gradey Dick be better than Reggie Bullock?

If Dick wants to avoid a nomadic life in the NBA, he needs to fix the flaws that both Raptors executives and scouts knew about him when he was coming out of Kansas. Getting a bit stronger and improving his overall skillset with the ball in his hands should be first on the list.

The Raptors took Dick knowing that he was not a finished product by any stretch of the imagination. They are taking a bit of a gamble on their staff here, as they likely believe they are best equipped to get the most out of Dick. If they don’t expect a Bullock-like career.