Step 1: Trust Internal Growth
It is to Ujiri’s credit that he’s established a surprisingly smooth transition process through the grooming of young executives within the Raptors’ front office. Take general manager Bobby Webster, for example.
Originally a salary cap expert working in the NBA offices, Webster was Ujiri’s first hire upon beginning his second tour of duty in Toronto back in 2013. The Hawaii-born number-cruncher’s rise through the ranks has coincided with the golden era for the franchise, with Webster having an increasingly large hand in its success.
Bobby Webster could replace Masai Ujiri in Toronto.
It’s admittedly difficult to fully ascertain the power balance of the front office in recent years, specifically which deals were driven primarily by Ujiri and which were more Webster’s domain. Either way, it’s telling that the club president made a point of solidifying the contract status of his key staff, including his top lieutenant, before worrying about his own deal.
If Webster takes the front office helm in the event of Ujiri’s departure, expect some of his fellow Raptors execs to grow into similarly larger roles. There’s Teresa Resch, who I wrote about back in February, but also assistant GM Dan Tolzman and analytics guru Keith Boyarsky.
Raptors 905 GM and reigning G League Executive of the Year Chad Sanders could also be ready to join the big club.