3 first-round picks Raptors’ Gradey Dick outplayed in Summer League
By Mike Luciano
1. Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
The Raptors were projected by many to take Hawkins, occasionally with Dick still on the board, due to the former UConn alum’s strong March Madness showing for the Huskies. After his Summer League start, Toronto is likely very happy with their Dick choice.
Hawkins has made 29% of his shots, 21% of his 3-pointers, and barely over half of his free throws. While he flashes individually, the overall play has been largely disappointing and insubstantial for a player who was expected to contribute relatively early on the offensive side of the ball primarily.
Gradey Dick has looked better than Jordan Hawkins.
While Hawkins was regarded as a better defender than Dick in college, part of the reason that he was viewed as a lottery pick was his ability to shoot well and score without demanding the ball. When his percentages are this far down in the dumps, his value shrinks.
Dick hasn’t exactly been prime Kyrie Irving handling the ball, but he’s had enough months of success despite defenses focusing in on one of the few NBA-level athletes on the floor. Hawkins doesn’t quite have that skill just yet, meaning he is just a 3-and-D shooter with some poor shooting results in Las Vegas.