Raptors Offseason Report Card: How did Toronto perform?
By Mike Luciano
Drafting Gradey Dick
The Raptors needed a ball-handler and some extra shot creation on the wing, but they chose to prioritize 3-point shooting above all else when they took the former Kansas star with the No. 13 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Summer League gave fans a glimpse of what is to come.
Dick’s Vegas excursion showed that he has some legitimate flaws that need to be ironed out, but his scoring ability was incredibly impressive. His defensive deficiencies at Kansas appeared to be less pronounced at that level than many expected they would be.
Gradey Dick will improve the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors didn’t draft Dick to change the scope of the rotation immediately, but they likely expect him to be a rotation player right away. He needs to pack on some pounds, but Dick’s shooting and rim-running athletic ability will help him make good on that goal.
Most of the issues that fans have with the Dick selection is the fact that they drafted someone who isn’t a primary ball-handler. Dick seems like a reasonably low-floor player who will give Rajakovic a young gunner to work with right after he helped Desmond Bane become a max player.
Grade: B+