Let’s all take a deep breath, Toronto Raptors fans. If this article heading sparked a brief burst of anxiety, then rest assured that no news has broken to indicate president Masai Ujiri is going anywhere. He said as much in his season-ending press conference on Wednesday, saying that he would soon meet with team ownership and weigh his options.
For those seeking a more hopeful bit of news, Sportsnet’s Michael Grange has actually reported that “confidence is mounting” in the club’s ability to keep the free agent executive.
Still, until Ujiri’s signature adorns a new contract to extend his Toronto tenure, the possibility looms for the Raptors of life without their beloved, celebrated boss. Painful as it may seem to envision such a world, the possibility has to at least be considered.
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum has, on many occasions, expressed full confidence in retaining Ujiri, but MLSE brass simply wouldn’t be doing their job if they didn’t at least plan for a future without him. The 2013 NBA Executive of the Year would leave massive shoes to fill, leaving the task of replacing him daunting.
Masai Ujiri says there's nothing new to report on his contract status, plans to sit down with ownership soon. "Weigh a few of the options and give this thing some deep thought now as I go through this process."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 19, 2021
While there’s been plenty of speculation over Ujiri’s potential next moves, little has been said about what the Raptors would do to move forward – possibly because no one wants to think about it. With full hope that everything works out and an extension is forthcoming, let’s at least explore the possibility of a post-Masai world for the organization.