Gradey Dick enters his third NBA season with higher stakes as the Raptors pursue wins and his contract clock approaches. Mistakes and defensive lapses will carry greater consequences in a winning-orientated season. Offensive dynamism is the clearest avenue for impact, as Dick combines shot-making, motion, and gravity with a willingness to attack. The 2024-25 season split showed a strong first half (32 mpg, 17.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 42/35/89 splits) and a weaker second half (26.7 mpg, 10.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 39/34/80 splits) interrupted by an injury. Catch-and-shoot and spot-up numbers were notably efficient (38% C&S, 42% spot-up, 84th percentile). Defensive improvement remains necessary for a full step forward.
"We'll get to the defense, which has to improve, but let's start with the other side of the floor where Dick can be a gamechanger. 2024-25 was a tale of two seasons for Dick. The first? A rapid sprint amidst an injured roster where he was elevated to a top-2 offensive option. The second? A slog. A trudge toward the finish line that included an injury that held him out for the last 20 games of the season."
"Even though we've seen it before, a return of form to the start of his second season would be reason for celebration. What made Dick potent last season was his mix of shot-making talent, motion, gravity, and the fact that when it was time to let shots fly he was neither diffident or shy. On the whole, his shot-making numbers should underwhelm most people who look at them. A man described as a "shooter" hitting 35-percent? Doesn't really pass the sniff test."
Read at Raptors Republic
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