@movernie
Today, the Toronto Raptors have parted ways with vice-chairman and president Masai Ujiri. I received the official media release from the Toronto Raptors organization this morning. To other people, this may be seen as an unexpected time bomb, but to me, I am NOT surprised by this at all! This has been brewing and many inside the organization knew this is coming, it’s just a matter of time.
Ujiri was entering the final year of a 5-year contract that he signed back in 2021. The move comes just a day after the end of the NBA Draft and before free agency opens on June 30. I am sure the organization withheld announcing this news until after the NBA draft was completed to avoid any distractions.
Everyone comes with an expiration date and now it’s time for Masai to move on to his next career chapter. Just like former coach Nick Nurse, everyone is just sitting too comfortable after the 2019 NBA Championship that it’s time for everyone to move on, bring in new blood, new minds, new voice to get this franchise and fans exciting again.
Being in the same organization for 13 years is legendary, especially in the current sports climate, the tenure of a personnel is short lived whether they are doing a great or bad job, nothing is safe to be honest.
Masai Ujiri
In case you wonder why I am not surprised by this move coz it’s been brewing for a few years that I heard from insiders that Masai just don’t have the same fire or passion anymore. He is bored. He just wanted to fulfil this last year of the contract and to ensure his counterparts such as GM Bobby Webster and other executives get their bags before he moves on.
Moreover, relatively new MLSE President Keith Pelley wants to clean house for every sport teams that MLSE owns, just look at the departure of Maple Leafs Brendan Shanahan as another example. It seems like MLSE just want new blood, new voice in each sport team that they own. The political power and dynamic have just drastically changed with Keith Pelley and Rogers Communications being the main player in calling the shots moving forward.
I was told that Masai wanted to do something bigger, want to do perhaps non-sports related career move. So, I would not be shocked if he wants to work in the United Nations, or being a motivation speaker that works to give back to the communities or making a big difference in the world. Perhaps he wants to grow his “Giants of Africa” to the next level.
Although I am not saying he won’t be working for another NBA organization, I do feel he would be doing something more than sports. But of course, anything is possible, just look at Danny Ainge, who said he was going to be retired after leaving the Boston Celtics, paving the way for Brad Stevens as his successor, only to find out a year later, Danny works for the Utah Jazz. Another example is when Joe Dumars who went from Executive for the Detroit Pistons to now being the head of basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Masai isn’t perfect:
No one is perfect in this world and so is Masai. Although he contributed so much for the franchise by bringing stability to the team, building a good team culture, player development program and bringing the franchise 1st ever championship. Masai also did have some flaws, including drafting Jakob Poeltl instead of Domantas Sabonis in the same draft. Moreover, I think Masai just dipped after winning the chip where he held on Kyle Lowry far too long, held on Fred VanVleet, then OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam far too long where he wasn’t able to maximize the return of the players to reload the team. Holding on the existing far too long was what slow down the team rebuild in recent times.
BIG QUESTION MARKS:
– With Masai departing, is that also mean there is zero chance the Raptors can trade for Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo? I don’t think their relationships are as strong as what media portray them to be, but Masai does have some pull, but now with him leaving, there is absolutely no chance the Raptors will get the Greek Freak.
– Does the NBA respect current GM Bobby Webster in any types of trade or free agents negotiations? Coz despite Masai being pretty much hands off in recent years, Bobby has always been working under the shadows of Masai. Now it’s Bobby’s time to show what he can really do and earn some real respect among the NBA executives and NBA fans.
– Is Rogers Communications really committed into winning as they claim they are? Or they are spending conservatively, taking less risks and making less splash just to ensure the teams are doing ok but not going overboard with its spending or aggressively to wining? We will have to find out.
THANK YOU MASAI!
Bottomline: Thank you Masai for bringing the chip for the Raptors fans back in 2019! I will never forget the NBA finals, the winning of the championships and the parade in Toronto! I wish Masai all the best on his next career move!
It’s time to move on and let’s hope the draft of Collin Murray-Boyles work out and the future is bright with GM Bobby Webster and whoever is coming in to replace Masai.
