Raptors Stock Watch: 3 Risers, 2 fallers from up-and-down Summer League

How does the team look after battling in the desert?
2024 NBA Summer League - Toronto Raptors v Utah Jazz
2024 NBA Summer League - Toronto Raptors v Utah Jazz / Candice Ward/GettyImages
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Faller: Jonathan Mogbo

Injuries sustained in the Raptors' second game kept both of our last two players out of the final three games, but in their brief playing time one showed himself to be taking a step forward, while the other one struggled significantly to make an impact.

The Raptors took a chance with the No. 31 pick, passing on a number of players who were both better values and better fits for the roster and drafting San Francisco forward Jonathan Mogbo. We have gone into detail why that was a mistake at the time and looks even worse now.

Mogbo did not cover himself in glory in Summer League, and while two games is not enough time to make any sort of real evaluation on him or his future, he didn't even do well the things that were supposed to be strengths. As an older player he looked more raw than the teenagers, and he averaged a paltry number of rebounds and assists. He unsurprisingly didn't hit a single outside shot and had three turnovers in just 26 total minutes. It wasn't a disaster but it certainly wasn't an affirmation of the Raptors' decision.

Riser: Gradey Dick

The highest-profile player for the Raptors heading into Summer League was Gradey Dick, last year's lottery pick and a strong candidate to compete for the starting shooting guard spot this year. He should have been the best player on the team, and he clearly was, running the offense and creating shots for himself and others.

He suffered an ankle injury early in the second game and missed the rest of Summer League play, so there was not a lot of tape to go off of, but Dick looked confident with the ball in his hands when he did see the court. He was clearly playing above his element to some extent, with a few turnovers from trying to force passes, but that won't be his role on next year's Raptors. The fact that he can attack closeouts and do some creation and playmaking is all that will be asked of him, and he looks to have leveled up to being capable of that.

The 3-point shot will continue to be his bread and butter, but a more well-rounded game will help him see the court and potentially even start next season. If Dick becomes a no-question starter for Toronto that will be extremely valuable as the Raptors build out their core of the future, and right now their sophomore looks ready to be a part of that future.

Next. Offseason Report Card: Raptors get graded for summer moves. Offseason Report Card: Raptors get graded for summer moves. dark