Raptors Recall Gradey Dick As Injuries Continue to Mount
Gradey Dick is coming back up. The Toronto Raptors have recalled the 20-year-old first-round pick from the G League as they head to Utah for the last leg of the team’s west coast road trip, the team announced Thursday.
Toronto had given Dick a few weeks off in what Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković called a “special program” meant to give Dick some time to build up his strength and conditioning. Ahead of the road trip, the Raptors send Dick to the Raptors 905 where he appeared in three games
Dick averaged 16.7 points across his regular season games with the 905, shooting 47.6% from the floor and 5-for-20 from three-point range.
The 905 went winless in the three games as they continue to be ravaged by injuries this season. Toronto too is battling injury issues with Jakob Poeltl sidelined indefinitely, Otto Porter Jr. tending to a knee sprain, and suddenly Pascal Siakam dealing with back spasms. Siakam had been listed as questionable Wednesday night before being downgraded to out.
It’s unclear what his status will be Friday night against the Utah Jazz. Dick hasn’t had the start to the season anyone would have hoped for. He’s appeared in just 19 NBA games so far and shot just 29.4% from the floor with a 25% three-point stroke.
He has recorded more turnovers than three-pointers at the NBA level so far and has more personal fouls than made field goals.
It’s unlikely Dick being recalled was part of Toronto’s plan for the rookie guard, but with the injuries piling up, the Raptors are in desperate need of another healthy player.
