Masai Ujiri Articles - Page 6

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is all for addressing mental health issues with his players, but the brass man admits doing so is a slippery slope of sorts. “It’s a sensitive topic,” Ujiri acknowledged, according to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan. “If you aren’t performing well, and I came to you and said, ‘I think you should […]

Famous rapper and Toronto Raptors ambassador Drake has become an influential presence in the NBA. His dedication and desire for the success of the hometown Raptors does not go unnoticed. Drake has been around for a while, and is a huge fan of the NBA as a whole, not just the Raptors. Recently, the Canadian-born […]

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri recently took a trip to Kenya with his Giants of Africa Foundation. The goal of this trip, according to a report from David Kwalimwa of Daily Nation, is to raise awareness about the standards of sports in Kenya. Some NBA fans simply know Ujiri as the Raptors’ president, but it’s […]

The bad blood between DeMar DeRozan and Toronto Raptors front office is palpable. More specifically, DeRozan takes issue with the president of basketball operations in Toronto, Masai Ujiri. DeRozan clearly feels he was wronged and his relationship with Ujiri is over. According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports, DeRozan sees no reason to maintain contact with […]

DeMar DeRozan was devastated after learning he had been traded to the San Antonio Spurs after nine years playing for the Toronto Raptors, the same organization that said goodbye in the blink of an eye when the opportunity to acquire Kawhi Leonard suddenly arose. The mid-range artist insisted he got lied to a week before […]

DeMar DeRozan hasn’t been happy with the Toronto Raptors brass since the trade went down last week, unexpectedly shipping him to the San Antonio Spurs despite reportedly being told there was “nothing imminent” taking place the week before. Raptors president Masai Ujiri said in his press conference that he was indeed “loyal,” but he needed […]

While most teams considered Kawhi Leonard’s mysterious quad injury as a deterrent, the Toronto Raptors saw it as an opportunity to place themselves in a position to sign an NBA champion-caliber player. This is what Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri confirmed when speaking to the press about their recent acquisition of the 27-year-old forward from […]

The Toronto Raptors are kicking the tire by giving up DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a 2019 first-round pick to acquire the services of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. It’s a gamble on the part of the Raps, as they are not sure whether Leonard has any inkling of playing for them beyond the next […]

DeMar DeRozan clearly didn’t like the way things went down in Toronto. After he believed his spot on the roster was safe, Raptors president Masai Ujiri dealt the All-Star to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard. On Friday, Ujiri tried to explain the situation, but DeRozan doesn’t appear to buy the explanation. The newest Spur posted […]

DeMar DeRozan felt betrayed after word of a trade involving him and Kawhi Leonard went viral, reportedly having been assured that he wouldn’t be traded just the week before the trade went down. Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri briefly explained what went on last week in Las Vegas, when the two sides met during the […]

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri apologized for the upheaval surrounding the organization after he traded star DeMar DeRozan in a blockbuster trade for Kawhi Leonard earlier this week. The front office boss urged that he would do “anything in his power” to honor DeRozan in the near future. “He’s the greatest player to play for […]

The Toronto Raptors swung for the fences, while teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and the Philadelphia 76ers were hesitant to give out assets in return for Kawhi Leonard. President Masai Ujiri was willing part ways with DeMar DeRozan in order to acquire the former two-time Defensive Player of the Year, something he […]

The Toronto Raptors front office and president Masai Ujiri have faced an onslaught of concern after shooting guard DeMar DeRozan blasted the organization on his Instagram story, claiming he had been lied to. Ujiri cleared up matters somewhat during his media availability Friday, apologizing for “a gap in communication” with his former star. “I’m a […]

After LeBron James signed with the LA Lakers the spotlight has rightfully shifted back on the NBA’s biggest drama this year – the Kawhi Leonard situation. At one point it seemed like the star forward had the entire basketball media world at his feet because everybody was waiting for something to happen with him. Yet […]

This is LeBron James’ fault. Last May, the Toronto Raptors suffered a 4-0 sweep in back-to-back seasons at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers after a historic playoff series by the four-time Most Valuable Player. That ultimately led to the firing of coach Dwane Casey who ironically won Coach of the Year honors at the […]

Not a few heads were scratched and jaws that dropped on the floor when news broke on Wednesday that the Toronto Raptors have acquired Kawhi Leonard via a trade with the San Antonio Spurs. To get the swingman, the Raps gave up then-face-of-franchise DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a future protected draft pick. Raptors general […]

Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri just made a blockbuster move that shook the landscape of the NBA by trading for Kawhi Leonard. According to Blake Murphy of Raptors Republic, Ujiri will speak to the media on Friday, but Leonard won’t be in attendance. The enigmatic star has never been much for talking, […]

Under head coach Dwane Casey, the Toronto Raptors went from a middle-of-the-road team into a serious and legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. Casey’s Raptors just could not get over the hump in the playoffs, especially when it crossed paths with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. So, when the Cavs swept the Raptors – […]

The Philadelphia 76ers are the talk of the NBA after entering the playoffs after a long drought, but the biggest and most damaging news about the team currently came from an exposé involving Bryan Colangelo, president of basketball operations. Colangelo is under investigation by the Sixers organization after Ben Detrick of The Ringer wrote an article […]

The case of the Raptors has to be the most unfortunate turn of events this season. From a team that held the best record in its conference, and arguably had the best roster in its history, Toronto sank to the absolute bottom in a span of just four postseason games. After being swept by LeBron […]

The Toronto Raptors had the best regular season in franchise history, and many believed this was finally the year that they found a way to get over the hump. In the end, it was an all too familiar ending with the Raptors getting bounced by the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third year in a row. […]

Dwane Casey was just named Coach of the Year by the other NBA head coaches, and he led the Toronto Raptors to their best regular season in franchise history, but even that was not enough to save his job. “After careful consideration, I have decided this is a very difficult but necessary step the franchise […]

Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri made the firing of seven-year head coach Dwane Casey official on Friday morning with a statement, but apparently, the writing was actually on the wall after Game 3 of their second round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. “After careful consideration, I have decided this is a very difficult but necessary […]

The storyline about how the series would flow between the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers quickly flipped after the road team’s Game 1 victory. The Raptors were up big in Game 1 before the Cavaliers came storming back to steal a win. Near the end of regulation, the Raptors had countless attempts to hit […]

Toronto Raptors team President Masai Ujiri’s wallet got a little lighter over the weekend after he was fined $25,000 by the NBA for walking onto the court during halftime of Game 3 to confront the game officials. Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for walking on court in Game […]

Pascal Siakam’s journey to the NBA was a long and difficult one. He came from Cameroon, abut 6,000 miles away from where he plays now — for the Toronto Raptors. But now that he’s a bench player on one of the best teams in the NBA, he’s having the time of his life, and working […]

There is plenty to smile about for star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors (45-17) this season while currently atop the Eastern Conference standings. After Sunday 103-98 home victory over the Charlotte Hornets, when DeRozan was asked by Raptors beat reporter Josh Lewenberg on what Toronto’s confidence level was going forward, he and […]

Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri had some strong words for what President Donald Trump said recently about African countries. Trump on Thursday reportedly said the US should stop giving protections to people from “s—hole countries.” The comments were made during a meeting on immigration with leaders from both the Republican and Democratic parties, and were […]

Even at the age of 40, Vince Carter remains a relevant figure in the NBA. While it’s no longer mostly because of what he could bring to the court, his legend has grown so much that people are still talking about the 19-year veteran of the league. Carter is unlikely to stay in the NBA […]

DeMarre Carroll’s time with the Toronto Raptors was forgettable for both sides, as he barely made positive impact on the squad while saddling the franchise with a fat contract during his brief two-year stint above the border. Fortunately for the Raptors, though, they were able to ship Carroll and his salary to the Brooklyn Nets this […]

It’s been three years since the Toronto Raptors selected Bruno Caboclo 20th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, but there has been barely any progress that could be gleaned on. To date, Caboclo only holds career averages of 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds per game across just 23 total games played to show in his NBA […]

The Toronto Raptors have been trying to stay active in their pursuit of dethroning the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East. The organization traded for forwards Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker last season, and re-signed Ibaka to a massive deal this summer. In addition to that, they added C.J. Miles this offseason. While the moves have not helped […]

Toronto Raptors team president Masai Ujiri has done a great job in his role. The former Denver Nuggets executive signed a $15 million, three-year deal in 2013 to be Raptors general manager, and he was promoted to team president in 2016. In his tenure, the Raptors escaped from relative obscurity in the East and made […]

Kentucky Wildcats head coach and top-flight college recruiter John Calipari wants to make it clear once and for all: neither he nor anyone from his camp have contacted the New York Knicks with regards to a possible job opportunity. Calipari sent out a tweet on Thursday, one that he hopes will put to rest any […]

Despite being their first-reported interest, the New York Knicks are no longer expected to seek permission from the Toronto Raptors to talk to president Masai Ujiri for their same vacant role, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. With former Knicks president Isiah Thomas recently declining interest to come back to his old role, the main candidate […]

Following the surprising development that was reported about the New York Knicks and Phil Jackson parting ways, team owner James Dolan is not wasting any time looking for a replacement for him. Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is being reported to be Dolan’s target to take the place of the the Zen Master, to help […]

Contradictory to earlier reports stating that Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry had “zero interest” in returning to the organization, team president Masai Ujiri said Tuesday the All-Star dynamo has told him the very opposite. “He’s been a part of our organization, and he says he wants to come back,” Ujiri told reporters, according to ESPN. “I […]

The Orlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors have been frequent business partners as of late, but they won’t be trading with each other until the end of the 2017-18 season. Given the provision in their most recent transaction between the Toronto-Orlando deal that sent Jeff Weltman to the Magic’s front office, these two teams are […]

After a postseason letdown in the second round of their postseason run, Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey has been assured he will resume his coaching duties next season. This comes only weeks after president Masai Ujiri stated the front office would look at changes all around the roster and “evaluate” many aspects of the […]