Per Michael Scotto of ‘HoopsHype, ’ Gradey Dick, a 22-year-old former lottery pick, may be on the trade block of the Toronto Raptors, in the event their franchise has the desire to dodge the luxury tax even further.
As a result, the LA Clippers need to make the most of this quickly. Why? Because Dick’s value is at an all-time low. If they don’t make the minor trade investment, another contender eventually will, and very soon, the front office will regret not doing so, as the youngster is poised to bounce back given the potential he’s shown in the past.
There is ideally no better time than within the next few weeks to make a low-risk, high-reward splash on Dick, and possibly substantially strengthen the team’s core.
Gradey Dick’s atrocious decline should not scare the Clippers
Even though it likely wouldn’t cost much at all to get their hands on Gradey Dick, teams might be afraid of acquiring him because of the decline he’s had in his young career with the Toronto Raptors.
He went from averaging nearly 15 points in 2024-25 to just 6.0 the following year, shooting an awful 41.9% from the field and 30.1% from beyond the arc.
However, the LA Clippers cannot be among the crowd operating in fear regarding Dick. They should be willing to let go of anything reasonable, like second-round draft capital or a player they do not need, to the Toronto Raptors.
With the Clippers, the front office would immediately be able to provide Dick a change of scenery, which he may be desperate for, as well as the opportunity to be taken under the wings of Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland.
Both factors will be crucial towards his development, and will easily allow him to prosper into the star he was supposed to be for the Raptors, as he already has the tools to score at a high level.
Additionally, making a move for Dick would show the fans that Lawrence Frank did learn his lesson from steering clear of Jared McCain at the 2026 deadline. He, too, was once a lottery pick that underperformed early on and needed a new environment. The moment he landed it, McCain took off, and there’s a chance the same may happen with Dick.
That said, someone around the league will certainly take the smart gamble on Dick and work a deal out with the Raptors. The Clippers must be that team, as it could bring in endless benefits in the long run.
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