As the Toronto Raptors prepare for the upcoming NBA season, discussions surrounding the starting lineup are intensifying. With the current roster, it appears the team will stick with their usual point guard, small forward, power forward, and center in the starting positions, featuring Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl, respectively.
While 80 percent of the starting lineup is set, it's important to note that the shooting guard position is currently in limbo, as the team lost Gary Trent Jr. to the Milwaukee Bucks during the offseason. Trent Jr. had largely filled the starting shooting guard role during his time with the Raptors, and the team will be looking at potential candidates to step into that position.
Considering the positional fit, three Raptors players are in the mix for a potential starting role: veteran Bruce Brown, rookie Ja'Kobe Walter, and sophomore Gradey Dick. While all three candidates have strong cases for being solidified as starters, the optimal choice for the Toronto Raptors is to elevate Gradey Dick to a full-time starting role—or, at the very least, to give him ample opportunity to prove himself.
Gradey Dick should claim the Raptors' final starting position
Gradey Dick began his rookie campaign with the Toronto Raptors facing several challenges, including setbacks in his development while playing with the Raptors 905. However, after the team reshaped its core by parting ways with OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, Dick returned to the main roster with a renewed focus on elevating the team's young talent. He subsequently showcased significant promise in the latter stages of the season, making him a name to watch this year.
Let's look at three compelling reasons why Gradey Dick should claim a spot in the starting lineup.