2023 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Pistons face difficult choice at No. 2
81. . G, Kansas. Toronto Raptors. Gradey Dick. 12. player
The Raptors’ experiment of exclusively playing 6-foot-8 wings and Fred VanVleet hit a wall this season. At some point, you need to balance the offense and boost the shooting numbers. Gradey Dick would be a positive step in the right direction.
Starring for one of the best programs in college basketball as a freshman, Dick has flashed NBA potential from day one. He’s an absolutely elite shooter, flying around screens and hitting every manner of 3-pointer with regularity. His volume shooting potential is the main draw here for Toronto.
That said, Dick is not simply a shooting specialist. He’s a springy athlete at 6-foot-7, frequently getting out in transition and playing above the rim. In the halfcourt setting, Dick is already great at moving without the ball, making timely cuts to the rim and selflessly moving the ball to keep the offense flowing. He processes the game at a high level and is comfortable putting the ball on the floor.
He will get targeted on defense because of his lightweight frame, but Dick competes hard and has a promising blend of size and athleticism for a wing with such glorious shooting mechanics. Toronto also has the defensive infrastructure to limit Dick’s liability.