Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic revealed on Monday that rookie Gradey Dick is in the midst of a special workout plan designed to increase his on-court activity and get back in the rotation.
Dick has played 19 games with the Raptors this season, but he has been out of the rotation for more than a month. He made five appearances in December, totaling about 15 minutes, and spent part of the month in the G League with the Raptors 905.
The 13th pick was assigned to the 905 on Monday and is expected to play with them on their upcoming two-game road trip against the College Park Skyhawks on Thursday and Saturday.
Rajakovic believes the plan will be very healthy for Dick.
Gradey, in the last two weeks, is on a special program with his weights and conditioning on the basketball court. He has been doing a lot of work and spending a lot of time on the court. We decided that this is a good moment for him to really focus on his body. We made a really good plan for him when he goes on his next assignment with the 905, and there is going to be an opportunity for him, with everything he worked on in the last two weeks, to put in a game and play.
Dick is averaging 14.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 32% shooting from the field in seven games with the 905. He has registered three 20-point games, including a season-high 23 points and six rebounds in a loss to the Westchester Knicks on Dec. 6.
The organization wants to get Dick consistent playing time and into a good rhythm in the G League before inserting him into the rotation with the Raptors. They have been encouraged by how he is handling himself and believe he has a bright future.
“He is going to be back with us and is going to be in the rotation playing,” Rajakovic said. “He is the future of this organization, but he needs to check a couple of points before we really unleash him on the court.”
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