Gradey Dick Could be Paired with Scoot Henderson Via Damian Lillard Trade

With the Raptors emerging as a potential suitor for Damian Lillard, let’s take a look at the potential fit between rookies Scoot Henderson and Gradey Dick.

Over the past few days, multiple NBA experts have alluded to the Raptors being a potential suitor for superstar Damian Lillard. And as we’ve seen in the NBA before, where there’s smoke there’s often fire.

Per ESPN and Andscape’s Marc Spears, rookie Gradey Dick may be a player the Trail Blazers have their eyes on in any potential deal.

This from Marc Spears was noteworthy too:
- Toronto looks like the hottest Dame team because everything else is so quiet
- Blazers like Gradey Dick a lot
- 2 GMs expect Dame will be out of Portland by Media Day, those same GMs predict Dame will be a Raptor pic.twitter.com/HINpOQfrib

— Vivek Jacob (@vivekmjacob) September 25, 2023

Dick, who was drafted No. 13 overall by Toronto in the 2023 NBA Draft mere months ago, may not be the focal point of the trade. But his fit next to soon-to-be star guard Scoot Henderson makes too much sense for him to not be included.

A 6-foot-8 wing, Dick made a name for himself with lights-out shooting and smooth offensive tendencies in his lone season at Kansas. With the Jayhawks, he averaged 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists, shooting a blistering 40 percent from beyond the arc on 5.7 attempts, all as a frosh.

The size, shooting prowess, sneaky athleticism and overall feel for the game eventually helped him to earn lottery pick status.

Alongside Henderson — the Trail Blazers shiny new point guard who wows with innate athleticism, scoring prowess and ever-evolving passing chops — Dick would thrive as an off-ball scoring threat. And the tandem of both Dick and Shaedon Sharpe would help take pressure off the already-explosive Henderson.

Additionally, the two being drafted in the same class and one the same timeline could allow them to garner chemistry for the foreseeable future.

Any theoretical package will likely include much more than just the former Jayhawk. But would be a solid starting point, along with first round picks, in order to get a deal done.

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