The Toronto Raptors are dangerously close to the luxury tax and in need of roster upgrades. As a result, executives around the NBA are beginning to provide informed speculation that the Raptors could look to shed salary this coming summer. Chief among the players who could be traded is Gradey Dick.
If the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to take a chance on a low-cost wing who fits their need for youth in the rotation, then they should consider giving Dick a chance to revive his career.
Dick turned in a solid rookie season in 2023-24 and emerged as a productive all-around scoring threat in 2024-25. Unfortunately, his minutes were more than cut in half between 2024-25 and 2025-26, and his future is now in question as the final season on his rookie-scale contract approaches.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, rival executives expect the Raptors to look into trading Dick if they opt to create more space below the luxury tax.
"Should the Raptors look to give themselves more cushion below the luxury tax, opposing executives point to former lottery pick Gradey Dick as a potential trade candidate."
Though there isn't a clear destination in mind, the Lakers should at least explore what it would cost to acquire the former lottery pick.
Gradey Dick could be a low-cost trade option for Lakers this summer
If the 2024-25 version of Dick is the one the Lakers acquire, they'd likely be happy with the potential trade. That year, he averaged 14.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.1 three-point field goals made in 29.4 minutes per game while shooting at a clip of .410/.350/.858.
Considering Dick buried 36.5 percent of his three-point field goal attempts in 2023-24, it certainly seemed as though he was beginning to build toward a career as a high-value shooter.
Unfortunately, Dick played just 14.0 minutes per game in 2025-26 and shot an uncharacteristically low 30.1 percent from beyond the arc. That's likely fueled rival executives' belief that he could be the player the Raptors move to create more distance from the luxury tax.
Considering he'll make a team-friendly salary of $7,131,511 in 2026-27, however, the Lakers shouldn't let the financial element of a potential trade deter them from kicking the tires.
Gradey Dick is a 22-year-old wing who has proven he can be a scorer
The primary reason to consider this move is the fact that Dick won't turn 23 until November. Furthermore, he'll be a restricted free agent in 2027, meaning the Lakers would reserve the right to match any offer sheet he signs with another team.
Those are two compelling facts considering Jake LaRavia was the only under-25 Laker who averaged at least 15.0 minutes per game during the 2025-26 season—and he'll be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
In terms of how Dick would fit in Los Angeles, he could operate as an ideal sixth man. His ability to both convert catch-and-shoot jump shots and create offense for himself make him ideally suited for the role. Those skills could also help create scoring opportunities alongside Luka Doncic.
There's certainly risk involved given Dick's defensive flaws and brutal 2025-26 campaign, but if the price is right for a trade, he's a player the Lakers should at least consider acquiring.
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