Bobby Webster on why the Raptors drafted Gradey Dick

Raptors GM Bobby Webster discusses drafting Gradey Dick, the noise around Pascal Siakam and what's next for Toronto.

Video Transcript

BOBBY WEBSTER: I think we had Gradey and kind of his own-- his own group. But, yeah, there was a-- you know, I'm sure we'll see how it all plays out over the next couple years. I think, probably, the size, shooting IQ, probably stood out a bit.

- Did you say-- did you say IQ? I mean, what stood out-- what stands out about him in addition to the fact that he clearly can find a way to get a high volume of 3s off the net?

BOBBY WEBSTER: Yeah, I think that was it. He's not just a shooter. I think, you know, he knows how to play off the ball. He knows how to make, you know, backdoor cuts. He can pass well. He rebounds well. So I think he's, you know, more of a well-rounded player, even though he's probably going to get pegged early as just a shooter.

- How important was it for you guys to address shooting, either in the draft or [INAUDIBLE] this offseason?

BOBBY WEBSTER: Yeah, but I think it's the combination that makes it unique too. I think, you know, you don't want to just address the shooting. I think that's why, as a shooter that can handle the ball, can play defense, can rebound, I think that was more of the appeal that he could do all the other things too.

- But was that something you-- I think [? you started ?] sort of talking this offseason or watching the team's [? hot streak ?] that that was something you wanted to address.

BOBBY WEBSTER: Yeah, definitely. Obviously, you know, there was-- we didn't make enough shots this year. So that's part of it, yeah.

- How do you envision him fitting into the roster?

BOBBY WEBSTER: You know, kind of what I started, he's a good basketball player. That's what I think we always want to put a premium on those type of players that can do a little bit of everything. I think, obviously, he's a rookie, but you hope he can come in off the bench, and make some shots, and kind of not make too many mistakes. And the coaches trust him, and, you know, keep expectations in line. But, you know, we do have expectations that he can probably come in.

- You mentioned the IQ. Was that something that, like, popped during the workout? Or was there anything--

BOBBY WEBSTER: No, I think it's probably more watching him play. He's a bit of a known commodity. He was High School National Player of the Year. He's kind of been around. So I think just the more you watch him, you kind of just watch him off the ball. He played on a really good Kansas team with some upperclassmen who were kind of the leaders of that team. And sort of watch him play off of that, I think, gives us a sense that he can come in here and kind of play off the current group.

- So did the workout just sort of cap or sort of reassure you that everything you heard was right? Or did something actually stand out on that day?

BOBBY WEBSTER: No, I think often with the workouts is you get to sit down and meet with him, and we went to dinner with him, and you know, you get a lot more of that interaction. Hopefully, there's nothing that's happening on the court that's a surprise. And so I think that's more of it too is just the staff gets to meet him. You get a bit of-- I'm sure everybody started to see he's a pretty-- he's a pretty big character. And that comes through when you meet him.

- That was my next question. He does seem to be very outgoing, effusive. Masai talked about maybe [INAUDIBLE] this franchise. Was that a big part of it, getting a good kid as well?

BOBBY WEBSTER: I think good kid. I'm not sure we're here for the-- the entertainment is not part of it. But I think was-- it was-- no, yeah, it was clear when we met him that, you know, we went through a lot of that. And he said, like, it's kind of his way to show his identity. And I'm sure he'll talk to you all about it. It's a space he's comfortable in. But I think he's able to connect with people and show, you know, if he is a little bit quirky, and probably all of us, like, that's how he kind of connects with people.

- Is that important in this day and of it with this team?

BOBBY WEBSTER: Yeah, I think you always want chemistry and camaraderie. And you want-- you know, I think we've been talking about it all offseason, the kind of energy and excitement. But I think the basketball has to be there first.

- You mentioned rebounding and defense. But he's considered definitely an offensive prospect. And I asked going back, those past few first round picks [INAUDIBLE] maybe guys were just here [INAUDIBLE]. So I'm wondering, has it been a change of philosophy? Or do you feel like the team is kind of at a point where maybe offense is a bigger need, or is it just [INAUDIBLE] upside?

BOBBY WEBSTER: No, I mean, you're touching on kind of all the points we've talked. This is probably a bigger, like, roster-building question. And so I think we've talked about finding those big, versatile wings. Those are the hardest to find. And maybe this is like a complementary thing to fit around them. I don't know if there's a perfect order to it. And I think we haven't really been in this area of the draft for a while. And so I think we felt like there was just a lot of high-skilled players in this draft. And so it kind of hit the sweet spot where we were picking.

- And then with Coach Darko, can you speak of kinda like his system and how you kind of see Gradey fitting into it offensively?

BOBBY WEBSTER: I probably can't speak to his system too much. But I think, you know, sharing the ball, ball movement, find open man, hit the open shot. So I think that, you know, hopefully Grady fits with most styles.

- How do you see Gradey as a defender?

BOBBY WEBSTER: I think he's a smart, positional defender. I think, obviously, you know, that's where kind of his IQ comes in, and he knows where he is. He'd probably even tell you he's limited to some extent one-on-one and the high-level athletes. But I think he played in the Big 12. He's played against the top kids his entire kind of high school and college career. So I think he knows how to play against guys that may be bigger or faster.

- How did the conversations with other teams go tonight and leading into tonight? Leading into tonight, was it any different than usual?

BOBBY WEBSTER: No, I'll just give you the same. I always tell you, probably, the same every year. Move up, move down. There's probably more move up this year. You know, I think consensus, it was a pretty good draft, pretty deep draft. So I think there's always that. I don't know if anybody moved up tonight, so it's probably pretty hard, maybe, the 12-to-10. But to get into that really top group when we were there in 2001 with four, you know, that everyone's coming for you, and you get really good offers. But you also simultaneously fall in love with whoever you're taking, so it's hard.

- Is there anything anywhere close at all [INAUDIBLE]?

BOBBY WEBSTER: I don't know.

[LAUGHTER]

- Did it feel like Tyree was an option at any point?

BOBBY WEBSTER: [CHUCKLES] Go ask them.

[LAUGHTER]

- Bobby, there was a report today where I think Pascal-- or people who were inquiring of Pascal-- or people-- if he were moved, would he extend. And it seems very clear that no one is going to [INAUDIBLE] would want to extend here. Did that come as a surprise to you? Does that affect how you approach his potential extension or any other moves this offseason?

BOBBY WEBSTER: You know, it popped up right before the draft, and we kind of just had a quick chat about it. But, no, I mean, I think, generally, we're not going to talk about any of that stuff publicly.

- Back to Gradey, you mentioned tonight a quote about how he wants to be a selfless player. Obviously, there was a couple of quotes that [? floated from ?] [? your end ?] earlier this year about selfishness, maybe. Did you guys talk to him at all about-- in the pre-draft process about just fitting into the role and just kind of becoming a role player in the NBA?

BOBBY WEBSTER: Yeah, I think you ought to talk to him. You know, he's not going to know specifically our situation. But I think inherent in all the stuff we've talked about tonight is, he knows how to play, you know, can play off the ball, quick catch and shoot, quick decision-maker. So I think that all goes into probably what we've been talking about, which is a more share-the-ball team, less individual iso one-on-one stuff. So I think it goes into it, for sure.

- Do you see shooting as still an area that needs to be addressed further this summer?

BOBBY WEBSTER: Yeah, I don't think you can ever have too much shooting. And then you can just stack it on top of each other. I think the other part is just, can they play the other end? Can they do other things too?

- Bobby, no big trades or anything like that tonight. [INAUDIBLE]

BOBBY WEBSTER: No, I think we have some big free agents. And I think that'll be within the next week, we'll be able to decide. We're able to talk to them, kind of see where they are, and we'll enjoy another week news cycle of all the rumors and gossip.

- Do you think you're done for tonight, or still possible--

BOBBY WEBSTER: I think we might-- I might try-- we might try to get back into the second round if one of our guys falls. But I don't see anything major.

- Have you ever tried to rock a suit jacket like that?

BOBBY WEBSTER: I don't want to steal-- he showed it to us at dinner, you know, when we were out. And he kind of gave us two options. And I don't remember which one we chose. But I think we had a sneak peek that he was going to do something pretty outlandish. You should ask him what the other pick, the other suit was.