The Washington Wizards are still searching for their next general manager and are eyeing Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri. Reportedly, the Wizards could go to extreme measures in trying to pry Ujiri from the Raptors, per Jake Baer of Yahoo Sports.
Among the options mentioned are an annual eight-figure compensation package and an ownership stake and control of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of not just the Wizards, but also Capitol One Arena and the Washington Capitals. That kind of stuff could move the needle.
That's certainly a hefty package that's difficult to turn down. Apart from the above-mentioned details, Washington also gives Ujiri a bigger stage for his “Basketball Without Borders” program.
However, other circumstances within the organization seem to negate whatever the Wizards may have on the table.
The Wizards are a mess right now. They are capped out in salaries and have no flexibility to make big moves. Their long-term outlook is horrendous, beginning with the burden of the John Wall contract, a 4-year, $170-million deal that will be on the Wizards' books starting next season through the 2022-23 season, Wall's age-33 campaign. Wall, an injury-prone point guard reliant on his athleticism, ruptured his Achilles after falling in his own home. He could possibly miss the entire 2019-20 season.
Ujiri, on the other hand, has Toronto on the cusp of winning its first NBA championship, needing just one more win to catch that elusive Larry O'Brien Trophy.
All the success the Raptors are enjoying this season flows from the African-born executive's massive preseason gamble in trading star DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard, who then had plenty of question marks following an injury-riddled campaign in 2017-18. Of course, he is also responsible for other key moves such as the acquisitions of Marc Gasol, Danny Green, and even the promotion of head coach Nick Nurse.
Leaving a winning situation and a class organization such as the Raptors could be hard for Ujiri. The appeal of the reported package and the bigger stage for his outside interests might make him think about making the move.
After the NBA Finals, this should be a huge and interesting offseason for for one of basketball's brightest minds.
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