Step 2: Lean on an Experienced Advisor
For 17 years, the Raptors have basically had the market cornered on an experienced hand to lean on for advice and guidance with the legendary Wayne Embry.
The recent recipient of a statue and civil rights honor from Ohio’s Miami University, Embry has spent nearly half a century in the NBA – first as an All-Star player, then as the league’s first African-American GM and team president, and finally as Senior Advisor in Toronto.
There’s no reason to think he can’t remain an asset to the organization, but a young, inexperienced front office might require more of a hands-on, day-to-day veteran presence than the 84-year-old Embry can offer at this stage.
Wayne Embry or Ed Stefanski could help out Toronto.
Perhaps someone like Ed Stefanski could get a second chance in Toronto after, ironically, being fired as part of the front office shakeup tied to Ujiri’s hiring.
Whoever the Raptors might target under this scenario, the job would theoretically be a coveted one. The prospect of working with bright young executives to help lead a first-class organization would check a lot of the boxes that experienced front office types look for.