3 tough roster decisions Raptors must make after 2023 preseason
By Mike Luciano
1. Gradey Dick’s role
The Raptors invested in Dick with the idea that the sweet-shooting wing from Kansas would become a long-term cornerstone of this team. One of Rajakovic’s most important tasks in his first season will be finding out how much NBA ball Dick can handle and guiding through his rookie year growing pains.
Should Dick spend those ever-important first few months in the pros marinating on the bench? Given his issues on the defensive end and generally skinny frame, this could be prudent. However, letting him sit on the bench could be viewed by some as wasting away.
Gradey Dick must play a role for the Toronto Raptors.
No matter what happens in the rest of his pro career, Dick’s ability to shoot from 3-point range gives him a very high floor. On a team that still doesn’t have enough perimeter talent to perfectly executive Rajakovic’s vision, putting him on ice seems like a fairly obvious blunder.
Dick has looked the part in the preseason, showing a solid jumper and the willingness to let it fly from all over the court. This is not necessarily a precursor to instant success in the pros, but it could give Rajakovic the impression that Dick is ready for a somewhat regular workload.