The Toronto Raptors selected Gradey Dick 13th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.
This was a no brainer pick for the Raptors since they needed to improve their shooting and Dick who was considered the best shooter in his draft class fell right to Toronto.
Dick has gotten a good welcome to Toronto so far. The rookie signed an endorsement partnership deal with Canadian brand GURU Organic Energy.
He also made a cameo in Drake’s son Adonis‘ latest music video.
On the court Dick has appeared in all three of the Raptors preseason games. He has come off the bench as he tries to earn a spot in the rotation this season.
The former Kansas Jayhawk has averaged 5.7 points in 15.9 minutes per game. He has struggled to shoot the basketball which is his calling card. Dick is shooting it 33 percent from the field and 30 percent from deep.
He has done a good job of moving without the ball and has been picking it up defensively, but overall Dick will be a work in progres.
Darko Rajakovic talked about Dick’s play so far this preseason and says the rookie has been rushing things:
I asked Darko what he’s looking for from Gradey Dick early in the season. His answer (not unlike the rook’s preseason usage) didn’t exactly scream rotation player: “It’s going to be a lot of patience and time… He’s gotta slow down himself before the game slows down for him” pic.twitter.com/2W4nFRsmRI
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) October 19, 2023
The rookie sharpshooter hopes to impress Rajakovic in his last preseason outing against the Washington Wizards.
Will Dick make the rotation?
Based on what Rajakovic said it seems like the Raptors are going to take a slow approach with Dick as they help him adjust to the NBA level.
Dick might not be in the rotation out of the gate, but that doesn’t mean Toronto is going to give up on him.
He’s going to need time to develop before he can become a staple in the Raptors rotation.
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