Things are not looking good for Gradey Dick.
As the Raptors prepared to return from All-Star break, I wrote a piece highlighting the three players who had the most riding on their shoulders and something to prove. It was about how this could be a make-or-break sample for them, not just for their chances in the Raptors’ crucial playoff push, but for their futures with the team overall. And no one caught my eye more vividly than Gradey Dick, who’s already been on thin ice multiple times during the season.
Raptors’ situation with Gradey Dick is anything but straightforward
If you need tangible proof that Dick has been playing a confusing role within the Raptors' pecking order, just look at the stats from his last ten-game stretch. He’s averaging 13.6 minutes per game and putting up 5.1 points on 35.6 percent shooting and 29.4 percent from three.
Think back to where Gradey Dick was early last season. He stepped up into a bigger role and looked like a promising MIP contender, an improved piece in the Raptors' rotation. But that promising look didn’t last long. As the team got healthy, his role shrank, and his shine faded quickly.
It's clear that the Raptors want him to be a decent shooter off the bench who can also hold his own on defense — this has been stressed by Darko Rajakovic before. However, aside from having active hands and getting deflections, he's far from their idealized vision of a defensive-minded player. When it comes to offense, no matter how good of a look Dick can get from beyond the arc, he just struggles to knock down the three-ball.
Thus, the curious case of Gradey Dick has been a real head-scratcher for many Raptors fans. His development largely hinges on being a real threat in the rotation, someone who gets over 25 to 30 minutes of playing time each night so his true skills can really shine. But we all know, that’s just not possible with the current Raptors outlook.
Maybe it’s partly on the coaching staff and development team for not handling Dick appropriately up to this point in his career. But at the same time, this isn’t a rookie we’re talking about — Dick is already a third-year NBA player. He should be able to make a meaningful contribution to the team, whether it's through shooting, hustle, defense, or a combination of all three.
For example, consider the potential of another Raptors youngster: Ja'Kobe Walter. I believe he has snatched the chain as Toronto's hopeful defender and shooter during this crucial stretch of NBA play. Walter is still a work in progress too, but he's much more ready to step up to the occasion than Dick and exudes greater confidence in that role.
I’ve never had an issue with the effort Dick puts in when he’s on the court. But effort and the right mindset can only take you so far — it means nothing if your numbers don't back it up. With the Raptors chasing an inevitable playoff spot, it feels like Toronto is clinging to the hope that Dick’s shooting slump will turn around just in time for the postseason, and that’s a dangerous game to play.
I've nearly reached the clear conclusion that Dick will never receive the same level of showcase he did early last year — unless the Raptors' competitive hopes completely fumble and they're forced into a full rebuild. That being said, I believe it's time for Dick to have a fresh start. A change of scenery might make the most sense moving forward. For the rest of this season, Toronto should probably shift their focus to maximizing players like Ja'Kobe Walter and Jamison Battle.
It's the sad but honest truth.