William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
Raptors Viewed as 'Strong Suitor' for Gradey Dick, per Report
The Toronto Raptors may finally be targeting a shooter in this year’s NBA Draft.
It can’t be all that surprising the Raptors are reportedly interested in Kansas’ Gradey Dick, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Toronto ranked among the league’s worst three-point shooters in the NBA last year and Dick is widely considered among the best sharpshooters in the draft. That said, the Raptors have rarely gone after prospects like Dick who project more as a polished shooter than anything else.
Save for Malachi Flynn, Toronto’s 2020 first-round pick taken with the 29th selection, the Raptors have never drafted someone projected as a reliable Day 1 three-point shooter under Masai Ujiri’s tenure. Even Flynn, who shot 36.3% from behind the arc in three collegiate seasons, was viewed as a valuable defensive player and the reigning Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Dick, though, would be entirely different. He shot 40.3% from behind the arc on nearly six attempts per game, more than half of his attempted field goals. He averaged 14.1 points per game with 5.1 rebounds and nearly two assists.
The questions for Dick come in terms of individual playmaking and defensive ability.
“When driving the ball, Dick does lack the explosiveness and creative moves to get by good defenders,” wrote Sports Illustrated. “He’s more of a straight-line driver that leverages his physicality and size to get to the rim. However, he is good at using fakes and jabs to get defenders to over-commit in order to get to his spots.
Defensively, he’s considered a good team defender, but he can be exposed on the perimeter as a below-average individual defender.
The challenge for Toronto will be finding a trade partner that will allow them to move up a few picks and select Dick who is not expected to be available at No. 13. Dallas at No. 10 has been among the teams reportedly willing to move its pick and if the Raptors are serious about adding shooting this summer, paying the price for Dick may be their best bet.
Further Reading
Rico Hines to Join Nick Nurse's Staff With 76ers
Darko Rajaković's Passion for Development Makes Clear Why Raptors Tabbed Him for Coach
Fred VanVleet Will Opt-Out of Player Option and Hit Free Agency This Summer, per Report
