Gradey Dick’s Toronto run ended with a trade, and the former Kansas wing made sure Raptors fans heard from him before moving on.
In an Instagram post Friday, Dick thanked Toronto supporters after being dealt Tuesday in a blockbuster swap with the Los Angeles Clippers. It was his first public comment since the move.
“TORONTO! It was a blessing and I am forever grateful to have been a Raptor.
I genuinely appreciate all the love and support over the years. Memories in the 6ix (nickname for city of Toronto) that’ll last a lifetime!!
I’ll always have love for the North. Thank you for everything Toronto.
On to the next chapter!” Dick wrote.
The 22-year-old Wichita native was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after one season at Kansas, where he arrived as a 19-year-old freshman. Toronto selected him, and he spent his first three NBA seasons with the Raptors.
The trade that sent him to Los Angeles is not yet final. According to the Toronto Star, cap restrictions and rules mean it cannot be completed until Monday. The deal brings seven-time all-star Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers to the Raptors in exchange for Dick, Brandon Ingram, two unprotected first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks.
Dick’s role in Toronto had already started to shrink. Once a starter and a regular part of the rotation, he played only four total minutes across three appearances in the Raptors’ seven-game playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which Cleveland won.
His numbers also took a step back in 2025-26. Dick averaged 6.0 points and 1.9 rebounds in 76 games, down from 14.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game the season before.
His 3-point shooting dipped to 30.1% after he hit 35.0% from deep in 2024-25. At Kansas, he shot 40.3% from 3 in the 2022-23 season, then made 36.5% of his 3s as a rookie in the NBA.
For weeks, Dick had been mentioned in trade chatter, with the Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic and New Orleans Pelicans all reportedly showing interest.
He now lands with the Clippers as they move into rebuild mode after Leonard’s departure. Dick is entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract, worth $7,131,511 for the 2026-27 season, and he will be a restricted free agent after the season.
The move gives him a fresh start, and it also puts him in a spot where his next stretch in the league will matter plenty. As one report put it, this year could tell the story of whether he settles in as part of Los Angeles’ future or finds himself at a crossroads early in his career.
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