The basketball world is buzzing after reports surfaced that Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors’ ownership group, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, have opted to part ways as they take a step into the future. This decision comes ahead of the final year of his contract, which runs through the 2025-26 season, marking a significant moment for both Ujiri and the franchise.
Ujiri, who joined the Raptors back in 2013 as the executive vice president and general manager, is credited with transforming the organization into a competitive powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Raptors not only clinched their first and only NBA championship in 2019 but also established a solid playoff presence, reaching the postseason in eight out of twelve seasons. His record with the team stands at 545 wins to 419 losses, which includes an impressive streak of seven consecutive playoff appearances from 2014 to 2020.
One of Ujiri’s most notable moves was the bold trade that brought superstar Kawhi Leonard to Toronto. In 2018, he shipped DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a first-round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs, a gamble that could have left the Raptors with just one shot at a title. However, it paid off tremendously as the Raptors defeated the heavy-favorite Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals, with Leonard being named the Finals MVP.
Unfortunately, the departure of Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency left a lasting impact, and the Raptors’ performance has somewhat dwindled since then. While they made playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021, they managed to win only a single series, with several key members of the championship team, including Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and Kyle Lowry, either traded or leaving via free agency.
The Raptors haven’t made it to the playoffs in the past three years and are coming off a 2024-25 season marked by struggles, finishing with a disappointing 30-52 record. Ujiri and his team were reportedly looking to shake things up during the offseason, even pursuing a trade for superstar forward Kevin Durant. However, that attempt fell short when Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets instead.
Looking ahead, there is still hope for the Raptors. With promising young talent in Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Poeltl, they have the pieces that could help them rise back into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. Additionally, the recent draft saw the addition of two promising rookies in Collin Murray-Boyles and Alijah Martin, potentially setting a foundation for the team’s future direction.
As NBA free agency approaches on Monday, the Raptors will do so with a new leader at the helm, marking a new chapter in their story. After years of Ujiri’s visionary leadership, it will be fascinating to see how this change affects the team’s strategy and ambitions moving forward. Whether this fresh start will revive the team’s playoff hopes remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the franchise is at a crucial crossroads, and the decisions made in the coming days will be paramount.
