All articles tagged with #masai ujiri
The Toronto Raptors announced the mutually agreed departure of president Masai Ujiri after 12 years, with GM Bobby Webster set to interview for the role. The decision, influenced by internal power dynamics and high executive salaries, aims to preserve the team's culture and brand. The team also made draft picks, including Collin Murray-Boyles and Alijah Martin, focusing on defense and physicality to strengthen their roster.
The Toronto Raptors unexpectedly fired their vice chairman Masai Ujiri after 12 seasons, amid ongoing trade talks and free agency preparations, marking a surprising move just before NBA free agency begins.
The Toronto Raptors have fired Masai Ujiri after a 12-year tenure marked by a championship and strong team-building, amid organizational shifts and strained relationships with new ownership, raising questions about the franchise's future direction and stability.
The Toronto Raptors have parted ways with longtime president Masai Ujiri amid a franchise downturn, ending his 13-year tenure that included an NBA championship in 2019. Ujiri, a highly regarded executive, is expected to attract interest from other teams as a free agent.
The Toronto Raptors made significant moves at the trade deadline, diversifying their assets around core player Scottie Barnes while also aiming to provide leadership for their young players. The team acquired Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji, while also parting ways with several players. The Raptors' president, Masai Ujiri, emphasized the need for patience as the team navigates a potential rebuild or reset, and the front office remains focused on developing their young talent while also exploring future contract negotiations with Olynyk.
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri shared an anecdote about meeting RJ Barrett as a child and expressed hope for Barrett's growth with the team. Both Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have shown strong performances since joining the Raptors, with Quickley's role being elevated and Barrett's shooting efficiency improving. The Raptors are in a rebuilding phase, while the Knicks have been dominating since acquiring OG Anunoby. Despite being traded from the Knicks, both players harbor no animosity and believe the trade worked out well for both sides.
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri apologized to Pascal Siakam for a lack of communication and defended the recent trades involving Siakam and OG Anunoby, emphasizing the team's focus on building around Scottie Barnes. Ujiri explained that the uncertainty of free agency and the team's strategic direction prompted the trades, and he expressed confidence in the return the Raptors received. He also discussed the team's draft picks, potential trade flexibility, and the consideration of fit and financials in deciding whether to retain Siakam. Ujiri emphasized the importance of surrounding Barnes with the right players and indicated that the team will continue to compete rather than prioritize tanking for draft picks.
The Denver Nuggets have won their first-ever NBA Championship, ending decades of disappointment for the franchise and its fans. Led by top player Nikola Jokic and coached by Michael Malone, the Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs and went on to beat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. The team's success is attributed to the ownership of Stan and Josh Kroenke, the management of Masai Ujiri and Tim Connelly, and the fearlessness of current GM Calvin Booth in making astute off-season additions. The Nuggets are no longer the "Stiffs" of the past and are now a confident and dominant force in the NBA.
Nuggets GM Calvin Booth credits former team president Tim Connelly and former GM Masai Ujiri for laying the foundation of a championship roster before he took over last summer. Booth also acknowledges the contributions of his peers in putting the finishing touches on the team. The Nuggets' success is a result of years of work, including the 2011 Carmelo Anthony trade that yielded Jamal Murray, and the 2014 draft that brought Nikola Jokic to Denver. Booth's moves, including landing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and drafting Christian Braun, strengthened an already contending roster.
The Washington Wizards' GM search has been relatively quiet since Tommy Sheppard was fired a few weeks ago. One reason for this could be that the team doesn't generate much buzz in the media. Additionally, there aren't many high-profile candidates interviewing for the job, and potential candidates may be wary of taking the job due to the likely pre-conditions of keeping Wes Unseld Jr. as head coach and avoiding a full roster rebuild involving a trade of Bradley Beal.
Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri cited "complacency" and "selfishness" as season-long problems for the team, leading to the dismissal of head coach Nick Nurse. Ujiri also mentioned Nurse's reluctance to play young bench players as a factor in the decision. The coaching staff was known to be "less than cohesive," and sweeping changes are expected. Ujiri praised Jakob Poeltl and expects Otto Porter Jr. to return next season. Ujiri denies rumors of leaving for the Wizards' front office vacancy.
The Washington Wizards have fired president and general manager Tommy Sheppard after four seasons, during which the team missed the playoffs in three of them. The decision to re-sign Bradley Beal to a maximum salary with a no-trade clause was widely criticized, and injuries limited his playing time this season. Monumental Sports & Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis said the team will search for new leadership from outside the organization, and potential replacements include Masai Ujiri and Tim Connelly.