Who is Gradey Dick? Unheralded return in Kawhi Leonard trade has potential for Clippers

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The Los Angeles Clippers are getting two players in return for Kawhi Leonard, along with a bunch of draft picks.

Brandon Ingram is the well-known piece, and they could always re-route him in another trade. Gradey Dick is the younger part of the deal, less heralded but still with intriguing NBA potential.

The Clippers could sign Dick to an extension, because he's a free agent after the 2026-27 season. It seems like they'll at least consider that since they got him in this deal.

He certainly would fit their timeline as they try to get younger.

MORE: How Kawhi Leonard fits alongside Scottie Barnes after trade

Who is Gradey Dick?

Gradey Dick is a 22-year old sharpshooter from Wichita, Kansas.

He played his college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks, then was the No. 13 overall pick by the Raptors in the 2023 NBA Draft.

At 6-foot-7, Dick can play the 2 or the 3 on the wing, but his best skill -- his shooting -- has abandoned him in the NBA.

Through three seasons, he has shot just 34.3% from 3-point range while averaging 9.2 points per game.

It was worse in 2025-26, at 30.1% from beyond the arc and just 6.0 points per game in 76 appearances.

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Dick doesn't have enough other skill to last if his shooting doesn't get better, or if he doesn't improve in other aspects of his game.

He may amount to nothing for the Clippers, but his outside shooting potential remains intriguing enough at his height.

Dick might be the swing player in this deal. If he pans out, the Clippers can feel like they did well in moving off Leonard at the right time.

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