The jury is still out on young Gradey Dick, Toronto's lottery selection in the 2023 NBA Draft.
It's hard to boldly say that Dick's future is grim and bleak; I wouldn't go so far as to make that claim. However, in my opinion, I do feel that Dick has lost a bit of steam in the team's future outlook and discussions, despite showing a fair amount of growth to kick off his sophomore campaign.
I was definitely impressed with Dick's increase in scoring, especially considering the Raptors' desperate need for reliable contributors, particularly after the significant losses of Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes at the start of Toronto's 2024-25 campaign.
However, even with his scoring numbers on the rise, the defensive limitations remained a glaring weakness in Dick's game. While he received praise as a capable scorer, a look at Dick's 2024-25 game log reveals that consistency was a significant issue as well. This ultimately contributed to his 41% field goal percentage and 35% three-point percentage by the end of the season.
I think the narrative of keeping a close eye on Dick had already been raising alarm bells on my radar throughout the year. Now that the season has wrapped up, I'm left uncertain about where to position the 21-year-old in the Raptors' pecking order going forward.
Gradey Dick must prove himself to the Raptors (or risk being forgotten)
Without a doubt, he's still a very valuable young asset at the Raptors' disposal.
However, I'd argue that Toronto has plenty more to marvel at with the tremendous efforts from their new rookie class—players like Jamal Shead, Ja'Kobe Walter, and even Jamison Battle. One could debate the full-circle trajectory of Dick compared to these others, but just considering the potential of utilizing a guy like Walter in the rotation instead of the ex-Kansas product really leaves you wondering.
For pure scoring alone, you’d probably say Dick, and I think that’s a given. However, as much as I believe Dick wants to be a grittier defender for Toronto, that's just not who he is as a player right now. During the season, defensive lapses with Dick and RJ Barrett in the lineup became evident. Additionally, as I’ve mentioned before, Dick’s play alongside Scottie Barnes has not proven to be an effective pairing.
Dick's position in the young core was already a gloomy issue before the Brandon Ingram trade, and after that deal went down, I still find myself questioning how Dick fits best.
Can he be an effective bench piece? Is a backcourt pairing of Quickley and Dick the best option for Toronto? I could go in circles debating these different narratives, but when I shift my focus to players like Ochai Agbaji or Ja'Kobe Walter, I feel more at ease knowing they’re just stronger fits all around.
Don't get it twisted; I'm not saying that Walter is an out-of-this-world defender compared to Dick. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the energy Walter brings to the game. Even worse for Dick, the Raptors could be on track to add yet another talented youngster in this year's draft, making it even more difficult for him to find the minutes he needs to flourish.
The other issue with Dick's shortcomings is that when defenses can pinpoint his impact on the Raptors' offense, they can hound him and leave him in a bad shooting slump. Moreover, he doesn't strike anyone as a premier finisher through contact, opting to shoot threes or mid-range jumpers. Then, if Dick isn't getting buckets for your team, he doesn't really provide much else beyond that.
That's the essence of it all. Dick will need to demonstrate that he can take a leap, and I'm still hopeful he can, especially considering how young he is. While I’m not expecting him to become an elite defender overnight, finding another role to enhance his presence as a player will be crucial for how the Raptors can maximize his contributions.
Whether it's adding more strength, improving his ball-handling, or making a statement with his ability to finish at the rim, these are just a few ways I think Dick can solidify his position in Toronto's rapidly evolving future.