In the modern NBA, you can never have enough three-point shooting, which is why Toronto Raptors forward Gradey Dick would be a perfect buy-low candidate for the New Orleans Pelicans.
According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, the Kansas alum is open to a trade from the Raptors.
The Raptors selected Dick No. 13 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. The scouting report on the Kansas guard: a sharpshooting wing with good size who moves well without the ball.
He’s shown signs of living up to his potential in the NBA, averaging 14.4 points per game while shooting 35% from three-point range during the 2023-24 season. However, after the Raptors acquired Brandon Ingram from the Pelicans, Dick’s minutes fell to just over 14 per game, and he averaged just 6 points this past season.
It makes sense that the college standout would be open to a move to a team that could give him more minutes. The Pelicans could be that team.
Dick likely wouldn’t start for the Pelicans, with Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey and Trey Murphy already on the wings. But he could carve out significant minutes off the bench.
It’s become painfully familiar for Pelicans fans, but the team needs shooting around Zion Williamson. Dick would immediately become their second-best three-point option behind Trey Murphy. Pairing with Williamson could also mean significant minutes for Dick, even in a bench role.
There are some obvious positives to trading for Dick, beyond adding his shooting. The Pelicans would be buying low on the sharpshooter after a down year. Another positive is his team-friendly contract. He is set to make $7.13 million next season, which could be a bargain for a player as talented as Dick.
The Pelicans have their own former first-round pick to trade
While it remains to be seen what it would take to acquire him, there is an obvious match for the Pelicans. Jordan Hawkins was also a first-round pick in the 2023 draft when he was selected No. 14 overall, immediately after Dick.
Hawkins was also expected to be a lethal shooter but hasn’t found his rhythm with the Pelicans. He is set to make just over $7 million next season, which aligns well in a potential swap for Dick. The Pelicans would likely have to include draft capital to make the deal worthwhile for the Raptors, given Dick’s stronger early production. This could be an opportunity for both players to thrive with a change of scenery.
Either way, the Pelicans will continue to be on the lookout for three-point shooting. Williamson is entering his eighth season with the team, and they are still searching for enough consistent outside shooting to surround their star.
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