3 Toronto Raptors who deserve a larger role next year, 3 who have earned nothing
The Toronto Raptors have some difficult work ahead of them as they figure out the rotation for next season. While some players are guaranteed sigificant roles, most of the roster falls into this crowded mix of players who will expect rotation minutes.
How should the Raptors sort things out? They need to find the right balance between competing in the present and developing their players for the future. Let's look at some players who have earned a larger role moving forward, and a few whose play has earned them absolutely nothing.
Gradey Dick deserves a larger role
Four of the five starting spots are taken for the Toronto Raptors, and with all four players under contract for multiple seasons it doesn’t appear that anything is likely to change anytime soon, until and unless Jakob Poeltl or even RJ Barrett is traded.
That leaves one spot up for grabs, and Gradey Dick is an intriguing candidate to earn his way into the starting lineup. The sophomore wing will be just 20 years old on opening night and yet showed down the stretch of last season, in the midst of the Raptors’ best players all being out of the lineup, that he has something more to give as he grows into his place in the league.
Even as the players passing him the ball declined in ability, the rookie grew as the season went on and hit over 40 percent on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. Then Gradey Dick was handed the ball at Las Vegas Summer League in July and was dominant in his first game, putting up 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals; the passing was the most exciting development for him. He was injured early in the second game so the full breadth of his growth is not yet known.
The Raptors could decide to start the veteran Bruce Brown Jr. at the 2 between Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, giving them a more steady hand and proven defender. There’s an argument to be made that Brown would be better showcased for a trade in addition to presumably being a more experienced option.
The upside play, and the best ramp for long-term success, is to start Gradey Dick. He is the best shooter of the available options to start, and perhaps on the entire roster. He is also developing as an on-ball player, giving the Raptors another player who can attack closeouts and make plays to further attack defenses. The difference between he and Brown is that Dick has incredible off-ball gravity that Brown simply doesn’t have.
His play last season and his age both should compel Toronto to give him the starting spot and increase his role from the jump next season.