And with the 13th pick in the 2023 NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors select Grady Dick! Yes, you heard me correctly, the Raptors used their 13th pick last night to select what experts regarded as the best 3 point shooter in the draft.
There was no deal to be had at the top 3, San Antonio did what any team would have done by selecting Victor Wembanyama with the 1st pick, but Charlotte took Brandon Miller at 2 and left Portland with no choice at that point but to take Scoot Henderson. Had Charlotte taken Scoot, the smart money was on Portland making a deal for all star help for Damian Lillard but Scoot is as nearly NBA ready as they come and may well be ready to help Lillard and Portland now. At least that’s the thinking.
Once we were out of the top 3, the Raptors were content to wait until their turn and picked the best 3 point shooter in the draft. For a team that finished 27th in 3 point shooting last year, it made sense. Grady also seems like a high IQ player with an outgoing personality which should mesh well with Scotty Barnes. Let’s look at the scouting report from the Sporting News’ draft expert Kyle Irving. He compared Dick’s game to Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson and his impact on both ends of the floor.
“Dick is one of the best 3-point shooters in the country and at 6-8, it’s easy to see why NBA teams would consider him a lottery pick,’ Irving wrote.
“The freshman wing is a flamethrower, knocking down 39.9 percent of his 5.8 3-point attempts per game. With a smooth, high release, Dick only needs a split-second to get his shot off against even the tightest defense.
“He already has NBA range and during his freshman season, he proved there is no 3-point shot he can’t make. Kansas used all types of screens to free up Dick for open looks, flying off of flares, pin downs or double screens ready to catch and shoot.
“If he doesn’t have an open look off of the catch, Dick is capable of pump faking, putting the ball on the floor, making one quick move and getting back into position to fire away. His ability to shoot on the move is what separates him from other marksmen in this class, and he’s always trying to find open space.
“Beyond his biggest strength, Dick is also an active cutter in the halfcourt. In transition, he’s a threat when he runs the lane because he can fade to the wing or corner for a 3, or dive to the rim as a lob threat with deceptive athleticism.
“He brings a ton of energy on the defensive end and on the glass, willing to make winning plays on both ends of the floor. He has the height and length to develop into a versatile 3-and-D prospect, he’s just not there yet.”
While the Raptors had no 2nd round pick last night, it was dealt to San Antonio in the Jakob Poeltl trade, they did pick up undrafted guard Markquis Nowell. At only 5 foot 8 inches and 24 years old, Markquis set a NCAA record for assists in the March Madness Tournament and has the determination of a pitbull, think Kyle Lowry only smaller and more determined.
Here’s what Gilbert McGregor of NBA.com had to say about him:
“If you tuned into any Kansas State game, it wouldn’t take long for you to see that one of Nowell’s greatest strengths is his passing ability.
Nowell’s 8.1 assists per game ranked second in all of Division 1 and is the highest single-season assists average in school history. His 285 assists entering the Elite Eight were 99 more than any other Wildcat has dished out in one season.
Nowell’s playmaking is as flashy as it is practical, as he dishes out dazzling passes while maintaining an assist-to-turnover ratio that’s higher than 2:1. Not only does his passing get his teammates involved, but it also infuses energy into the game and can sway momentum.
His lob in the Sweet 16 is just the latest example. In a high-pressure situation, Nowell’s pass set up the finish that would put K-State up for good.”
Now obviously his 5’8” stature will be his greatest weakness. The NBA prototypical point guard is now taller and longer than before but still maintains the quickness and skill long associated with the position.
How do these picks impact the Raptors outlook? Not at all. If there are deals to be made for Fred, Gary, OG and Pascal that improve the team they will be made simple as that. Once again, what Masai and Bobby would like to do and what is available for them to do are 2 different things.
Welcome Grady, welcome Markquis. May the Raptors provide you with a home that allows you to reach your potential and may you in turn help the Raptors to our next Championship.