The 13th overall pick from Kansas had a disappointing start to his rookie season, struggling with his shooting and defensive skills, leading him to be benched early on. He was sent to the G-League to improve his game while the team focused on their core players. Now back with the Raptors, he has shown improvement, averaging 10.6 points and shooting 40% from three since February, making him a key player as the team aims to establish themselves as contenders.
To comprehend the decrease in effectiveness, it is necessary to assess the situation in which Gradey and the team are operating. Since March 2nd, the Raptors have been competing without their all-star forward Scottie Barnes, who is sidelined with a fractured metacarpal. The subsequent absence of RJ Barrett due to personal reasons has forced the Raptors to adjust their approach, leading to bench players taking on starting roles and ten-day players receiving significant playing time. Consequently, Gradey has assumed a larger role, one that he acknowledges he is not fully prepared for yet. This is not to suggest that he is performing poorly, but being a more prominent figure in the opponent’s scouting reports has presented a challenging yet significant obstacle for the rookie to overcome. Despite this, Gradey has demonstrated notable improvement, not only as a shooter but also as an all-around player. At the beginning of the season, Gradey struggled to adapt to the NBA’s pace and pressure, rushing his shot attempts and finding it difficult to make defensive reads due to the pressure of the big stage. As the season nears its conclusion, Gradey has been playing the best basketball of his young career, rectifying many of his early-season shortcomings and exhibiting the composure of a seasoned veteran. Gradey’s level of professionalism throughout his journey is commendable, from being drafted 13th with high expectations, struggling and being sent to the G-League, to now being thrust into a more significant role due to unfortunate circumstances. Gradey has welcomed every challenge as an opportunity to learn.
