It’s time to start the Gradey Dick Most Improved Campaign

When you diligently prepared your 2024-25 Toronto Raptors bingo card, did you have Gradey Dick ranking 2nd in mid-range field goal percentage league wide? No? Get on our level.

Kidding, we didn’t have that on there either. Nor did we have the sophomore shooter out of Kansas setting a new career high 3 times in less than two weeks, and beginning a promising case for Most Improved early on. Simply put, Gradey Dick has been a revelation for this young and injured Raptors squad.

While we knew going into the season that it was less about wins and more about development, Toronto fans have been shocked as to how much fun it is to watch this team hoop. They are young, gritty, they play hard, and they have been keeping up with some of these powerhouse teams.

Yet, among the Shead’s and the Mogbo’s, by far the most exciting development prospect early on has been Dick. Averaging 21.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals in 8 games this season, Gradey is playing more than 10 minutes more per game than last season. His 3-point shooting is slightly higher this season, 38.3% compared to his rookie 36.5%, and his field goal percentage has gone up from 42.5% to 47.5% this season. Though maybe most notably, his operation in the mid-range and closer to the basket has shot up.

Per the NBA’s advanced stats page, Dick’s 57.7% field goal percentage from the mid-range is 2nd in the NBA, only behind Jalen Williams of OKC, and 1st among players who have attempted at least 25 shots. He ranks 27th in the league for 3-pointers made, and 31st league wide for points per game.

Gradey has scored 20+ points in 5 of the Raptors’ 8 total games so far this season, breaking his career-high from last season several times. He scored 25 points on October 26th against Minnesota, 30 points against Charlotte on October 30th, and then 31 points against the Lakers on November 1st.

He also leads the 2023 draft class in points per game this season with his 21.6, with Wembanyama next at 18.9 points per game. Other stats he leads his class in? Field goals made per game (7.8), field goals attempted per game (16.4) and 3-pointers made per game (2.9).

While still lots of room for improvement on the defensive side, his increased strength has helped him be able to hustle on plays and stay with his assignment more. He’s been jumping higher (that block in Denver, anyone?), getting his body into his defense more, and putting genuine effort into it. Obviously he seemed a little lost in his rookie season, but he seems a little more prepared in his sophomore season and is quickly learning how to be an on-court leader — essential given how many rookies the Raptors have on the roster.

Essentially, Gradey Dick should be high on anyone’s “way too early award rankings.” We already know former HQ writer and friend of the site Sean Woodley is already getting his All-Rookie team takes off, so we are taking it upon ourselves to start the MIP convo. While it’s SUPER early into an 82 game season to make a choice, if Gradey can keep up this level of output, he will surely attract a few votes.

Sure, this isn’t the final iteration of this team — Scottie Barnes, who thankfully will not need surgery on his fractured orbital bone and should be back soon, and Immanuel Quickley, who is day-to-day with a pelvic contusion need to return. Yet, Gradey falls perfectly into place on the lineup once they return. With IQ running point, Gradey at the 2-spot, RJ continuing to stay healthy at his position, Scottie returning and Jakob executing well in the post, Gradey can continue to keep up his hustle. Maybe some of the offensive burden is taken off him and returned to Scottie or IQ, — but if the shooter is hot, give him the ball.

In the long-run, Gradey’s development at this rate is just what the Raptors need to continue their development back to a competing basketball team. It’s been SO fun to see the young player thrive in the environment he’s been placed in. Turning from a clumsy rookie to an elite and efficient offensive threat... it’s brilliant.

We will check back in later in the season to see if Gradey Dick should still be on your MIP ballot, but for now we will go back to enjoying the Raptors’ process.