The Toronto Raptors organization and team president Masai Ujiri have mutually agreed to part ways, according to an announcement from the team on Friday. This decision comes as a surprise, particularly as it follows just one day after the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Draft. Ujiri spent 12 seasons with the Raptors and is widely credited as the architect who built their 2019 NBA championship-winning roster. Renowned as one of the most respected front office executives in the league, his availability is expected to attract significant interest from multiple NBA teams.
Following their 2019 championship victory, the Raptors organization has faced challenges in replicating that level of success. The team missed the NBA playoffs in the last two consecutive seasons, undergoing a rebuilding phase that involved trading key members of the championship squad, such as Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, and seeing others like Fred VanVleet depart in free agency. While they have begun building a promising young core featuring Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, and recently acquired Brandon Ingram at the trade deadline, uncertainty persists about the long-term vision for the franchise. Ujiri`s departure means his successor will likely shape the strategic direction the team takes moving forward.
Although Ujiri`s exit appears sudden, reports from SNY`s Ian Begley indicate that rival team executives had anticipated potential changes following Rogers Communications` acquisition of BCE`s 37.5% share in the Raptors. This transaction granted Rogers majority control over Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), the parent company of both the Raptors and the NHL`s Maple Leafs. Rogers already held a 37.5% stake and purchased BCE`s portion in September 2024 to secure sole majority ownership. Transitions in ownership often lead to organizational shifts, and Ujiri`s departure seems to be the initial manifestation of these changes.
MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley issued a statement regarding Ujiri`s time with the team: `During his 13 seasons with the Raptors, Masai has profoundly transformed the organization both on the court and as an inspirational leader off it. He delivered an NBA Championship to Toronto and inspired belief in our city and in ourselves. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and extend our best wishes to him and his family. As we look ahead to the franchise`s future and its path back to the NBA Playoffs, a search for the next Raptors president, overseen by CAA Executive Search, will commence immediately.`
Upon joining Toronto`s front office in 2013, Ujiri was instrumental in elevating the Raptors from a team that merely reached the playoffs to one capable of making significant postseason runs. From 2015 through 2020, the Raptors consistently achieved over 50 wins and advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs every year. The pinnacle of his tenure occurred in 2019, when Ujiri made a bold and widely debated move, trading beloved fan favorite DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard with the explicit goal of competing for a championship.
The trade was met with considerable criticism initially, largely due to DeRozan`s status as a long-time cornerstone and fan favorite, and because Leonard offered no guarantee of re-signing beyond the 2019 season, when he would become a free agent. While Leonard did depart after that single season, he delivered Toronto its inaugural NBA championship during one of the most remarkable playoff performances in recent memory. This audacious trade ultimately became the defining achievement of Ujiri`s time with the Raptors, solidifying his reputation as an executive willing to take calculated risks that many others would avoid.
Ujiri transformed a franchise that had reached the playoffs only five times since its NBA inception in 1995 and was often considered an afterthought. Under his leadership, the Raptors became a perennial contender, achieving eight playoff berths and securing an NBA championship. He successfully revitalized the team, fostering a winning culture in Toronto, despite the recent seasons presenting challenges in maintaining that level of success.
Over the last five years, the Raptors compiled a record of 171-229, resulting in only a single playoff appearance. The accumulation of losses coincided with some criticized roster decisions, including the trade of Anunoby for what was perceived as a suboptimal return and allowing VanVleet to leave without compensation in free agency. Furthermore, TSN Sports` Josh Lewenberg reported that some rival executives characterized Ujiri as `challenging to work with,` citing issues related to his ego. Given the combination of new ownership and recent on-court struggles, a change in leadership appeared increasingly likely.
With Ujiri`s departure, the focus now shifts to identifying his successor as team president. The Raptors might consider an internal promotion, potentially elevating current general manager Bobby Webster, who was Ujiri`s first hire in June 2013, to a dual role.
As for Ujiri, he instantly becomes a highly sought-after executive in the league. He was reportedly considered for the recent president of basketball operations opening with the Atlanta Hawks, according to Marc Stein, though that opportunity did not materialize. He has also been linked to the New York Knicks multiple times over the years, but the current successful tenure of Leon Rose makes that possibility less likely now. The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly undergoing an ownership transition, and while General Manager Rob Pelinka has had notable successes (acquiring LeBron James, winning the 2020 title, trading for Anthony Davis), he has also faced significant criticism. Similar to the Raptors` situation under new ownership, the Lakers might consider a leadership change in the near future, potentially making Ujiri a prime target.
Jasper Hawthorne