Masai Ujiri Articles - Page 5

The Washington Wizards are eyeing to sign Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri to run the team’s basketball operations. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the deal could reach to as much as $10 million annually. The offer will also include the possibility of taking on a bigger leadership role in the Monumental Sports […]

ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski praised the Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri for signing his players to short-term deals rather than lucrative long term contracts. In his Woj Podcast, Wojnarowski said that Ujiri was able to build a championship contender without “mortgaging” the future of the team. “He didn’t mortgage his future… he left escape […]

Toronto Raptors fans have started camping at Jurassic Park way ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, so Masai Ujiri made sure they know that they are appreciated. In a video posted by Devin Heroux of CBC News, the Raptors president apparently visited the dedicated supporters on Sunday midnight […]

A majority of league followers knew the Toronto Raptors made the right decision by trading for Kawhi Leonard last summer. But some analysts, fans, and others alike believed Masai Ujiri erred by trading franchise favorite DeMar DeRozan and promising big man Jakob Poeltl for an injured, disgruntled superstar and the fading Danny Green. Obviously, it’s […]

The Toronto Raptors have advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history and will be facing the Golden State Warriors for the best-of-seven championship series. But while a huge part of their success is because of All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, there’s one other player who’s been impressively consistent throughout the course […]

Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri never stopped believing in Kyle Lowry. After years of playoff disappointments, team and individual, the Raptors held on to the veteran point guard for what could be one final postseason run, but this time replacing DeMar DeRozan, Lowry’s best friend, with Kawhi Leonard. That gamble paid off, obviously, as […]

Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri had high praise for Kawhi Leonard’s two-way play during Wednesday’s media availability. And as he has in the past, Ujiri noted that Leonard is the best player in the NBA. “I don’t know if there is anyone who will argue with me that Kawhi is the best […]

Masai Ujiri won’t stop to contemplate the future that awaits his Toronto Raptors this summer, with a major cog hanging in the balance of it all. Kawhi Leonard, the team’s leading scorer and best all-around defender, could part ways with the organization this summer upon declining his player option for 2019-20, but Ujiri isn’t worried […]

For the first time in its franchise’s history, the Toronto Raptors have advanced to the NBA Finals. Not only that, they also have the homecourt advantage in their best-of-seven championship series against the two-time defending champions, the Golden State Warriors. Raptors team president Masai Ujiri is excited about the team hosting its first-ever NBA Finals […]

Though they’re no longer with the organization, Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri is giving credit to Dwane Casey and DeMar DeRozan for their roles in the team’s success. “Give Dwane Casey credit for preparing us for this,” Ujiri told Ben Golliver of The Washington Post. “Dwane Casey and DeMar DeRozan are a […]

Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri envisioned the moment where he would bring the Raptors to their first-ever NBA Finals when he made the gutsy move to bring in two-way star Kawhi Leonard, trading away a lifelong Raptor in DeMar DeRozan. Now sitting four wins away from their first-ever title, Ujiri reminisced of […]

The Toronto Raptors are going to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. The person behind the road to them winning the Eastern Conference, president Masai Ujiri, deserves a lot of credit. The Raptors made a bevy of headlines last offseason as a result of two bold decisions. The first was firing […]

After the Toronto Raptors defeated the Milwaukee Bucks to advance to their first NBA Finals berth on Saturday night, TNT’s Ernie Johnson asked team president Masai Ujiri about the trade that brought superstar forward Kawhi Leonard to “The Six.” Ujiri iterated that it was an obvious choice, because Leonard was the “best player in the […]

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri called superstar forward Kawhi Leonard the best player in the league after he led the franchise to its first ever NBA Finals appearance, toppling the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, Kawhi Leonard didn’t really soak in the high praise from Ujiri. He wants […]

After several failed attempts over the past couple of years, the Toronto Raptors have finally advanced to the NBA Finals thanks in large part to Kawhi Leonard’s historic playoff performance. The All-Star forward was at his best in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, during which he scored 27 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and […]

Masai Ujiri built the Eastern Conference champions. Kawhi Leonard made this championship moment possible. Yet, this is merely a prelude to the next act. The Toronto Raptors have advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. They will be taking on the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors in a seven-game […]

Toronto Raptors point man Kyle Lowry and team president Masai Ujiri had a much-needed sit down conversation to clear things up after months had passed since the latter traded his backcourt mate and best friend DeMar DeRozan in the offseason. Lowry had been all business from the start of the season but had yet to […]

At times, it is quite easy to overlook all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes in the NBA. One rather thankless, and often times underappreciated role in the league is that of a front office executive. These people often take the blame for their teams shortcomings, but are rarely put on the […]

The recent public resignation of Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson has forced controlling-owner Jeanie Buss to be on the lookout for her next executive. The process of doing so will start with feeling out the temperature of the likes of R.C. Buford (San Antonio Spurs), Bob Myers (Golden State Warriors), Sam Presti (Oklahoma City Thunder), […]

By landing former Memphis Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol an hour before the trade deadline, the Toronto Raptors emerged as one of the big winners of this season’s edition of the trade deadline fiasco. However, it appears that the team are far from done, with Raptors president Masai Ujiri claiming that Toronto intends to be […]

The Toronto Raptors made sweeping changes in the offseason that was headlined by a blockbuster trade with the San Antonio Spurs involving All-Star wings Kawhi Leonard and DeMar DeRozan. Raptors president resident Masai Ujiri made the trade because he felt the team had peaked with DeRozan and needed to change something up if they had […]

San Antonio Spurs superstar DeMar DeRozan is about to face his former team on Thursday at the AT&T Center. DeRozan publicly revealed his dismay over the trade that sent him to San Antonio in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. When asked if he has talked to Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri since the trade happened, DeRozan […]

Toronto Raptors dime wizard Kyle Lowry was frosty cold in his response to ESPN’s Rachel Nichols when asked of his relationship with president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, claiming the two only have a working relationship, which is independent of one another. Ujiri insists he and Lowry don’t have an acrimonious relationship and have never had so much […]

OG Anunoby is one of the exciting young players the Toronto Raptors have in their arsenal. On Wednesday, Raptors team president Masai Ujiri was asked about the standout play from Pascal Siakam, but Ujiri used the moment to mention Anunoby who is dealing with the recent death of his father. Raptors president Masai Ujiri was […]

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry hasn’t been president Masai Ujiri’s biggest fan since he traded his backcourt mate DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs over the summer. ESPN’s Rachel Nichols asked the pressing question, one that Lowry’s icy response got the message across just fine. Nichols: How would you define your relationship with Masai […]

Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry still has no intention of discussing the DeMar DeRozan trade with Raptors president Masai Ujiri. Both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan were mad about the trade that sent DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Ujiri […]

When Los Angeles Lakers newcomer LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers a few months back, he pretty much blew the entire Eastern Conference wide open. Every single team in the East — except for the Cleveland Cavaliers, of course, but including the Raptors — got a significant boost in their Playoffs hopes, and to say that […]

Following the arrival of Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri doesn’t want to hear how little pull the city has when it comes to attracting players to play there. “The narrative of not wanting to come to this city is gone. That’s old talk,” said Ujiri on Monday’s Media Day, according to Ryan Wolstat […]

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri knows what he bargained for and won’t create false expectation of his star addition Kawhi Leonard. The Klaw has been historically a quiet player who often doesn’t say more than what’s necessary, and at times he’s even painfully quiet when media inquires for further depth in a subject. “He’s a quiet […]

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri expressed confidence in star point guard Kyle Lowry getting past the heartbreak of seeing former backcourt mate DeMar DeRozan traded to the San Antonio Spurs. Ujiri said he wasn’t surprised by Lowry’s reaction to the trade, but “is confident he’ll be a pro and lead the team once camp opens, […]

Despite the short time between the trade that shook the NBA world this offseason, Kawhi Leonard is expected to return to Toronto and join the Raptors for training camp shortly, according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN. President Masai Ujiri indicated that his star forward would be “ready to roll” by the start of camp, saying […]

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has a big task ahead of himself, needing to lock down his newest acquisition Kawhi Leonard after he becomes a free agent by the end of this upcoming season. Ujiri’s plan is far from complex, just to be as genuine as possible and sell him on the culture he’s helped […]

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 […]