Why The Toronto Raptors Ousted President Masai Ujiri A Day After Draft

Toronto Raptors vice chairman and president Masai Ujiri is reportedly moving on from the team per ESPN’s Shams Charania. After 13 seasons, Toronto is looking to move in a different direction with their leadership.

“He brought an NBA Championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best. As we plan for the franchise’s future, and its return to the NBA Playoffs, a search for the successor as president of the Raptors, led by CAA Executive Search, will begin immediately.” MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley said in a statement.

Why Masai Ujiri Was Let Go By The Toronto Raptors

The Raptors recently experienced some organizational shifts amongst the ownership group Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. The recent purchase by Rogers Communication led to different presidents under the MLSE umbrella being fired, and Ujiri is just the most recent one.

“We are confident that the Raptors organization, under the guidance of Bobby and his team, is in a great place,” “They have a plan in place for next season and beyond as the team continues its rebuild, and we have confidence in their ability to execute and ultimately, to excel. We feel the team is in a strong, stable place, and we believe the addition of a new president will continue to move the Raptors forward, towards our next NBA championship.” said MLSE President and CEO Keith Pelley in a statement.

Ujiri was the architect of the most successful era in Toronto Raptors history. He delivered the organization its first and only NBA championship. He earned playoff berths in 8 of his 13 seasons with the franchise. However, the last few years have not been so kind to Toronto. Some organizational missteps may have contributed to the decision to move on from Ujiri. Toronto has not made the playoffs since the 2021-22 NBA season, and has been in the lottery in multiple seasons since then as well. Ujiri waited too long to capitalize on the trade values of former Raptor stars Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, ultimately accepting a meager trade package for Siakam and allowing VanVleet to walk for nothing in free agency. These moves left Toronto in a worse place than they would have been had Ujiri and company capitalized at the right time. While Ujiri is not the only one to blame for Toronto’s position currently, he was the leader and ultimately looked at as the man responsible.

All in all, Ujiri’s tenure with Toronto should be looked at favorably for the rest of time.