Toronto Raptors’ 3-step plan for potential life without Masai Ujiri

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.

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.

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.

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.

No. 3: Get Buy-In

It’s an underrated part of any front office or coaching hire: The need for players and team staff to be on board with the new guy. It’s also another part of what would make the prospect of replacing as beloved a figure as Ujiri so inherently challenging. Just ask the Indiana Pacers, if the questionable reporting of a recent Bleacher Report story about Nate Bjorkgren is to be believed.

Some of the Raptors’ exit interviews over the past week have underscored the importance of collective buy-in and how it has helped the solid foundation of chemistry the club currently enjoys.

Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, and Nick Nurse have all spoken in glowing terms about Ujiri since the season ended, with Lowry even seeming to tie his own free-agent future to that of his boss.

“Part of the reason I re-signed here twice is because of [Ujiri],” acknowledged Lowry in his end-of-season press availability. “[…] So his decision, yes, it will factor into everything.”

The Toronto Raptors must get behind Masai Ujiri’s replacement.

That’s not to suggest that ownership must open up the vault to Ujiri so that Lowry will stay, but it speaks to the impact that a respected front office leader can have on a franchise. Does Webster carry that same air of respect and admiration? That would be a critical question ahead of any succession plan.

Under this doomsday scenario, it would be tempting to respond to a Ujiri exit by grabbing headlines with a major, marquee hire. But replicating the last eight years of Raptors basketball under the 50-year-old can only be a good thing, and he was never one to engage in knee-jerk PR-driven moves.

Webster has proven himself well suited for the GM’s chair and has built a strong working relationship with, not only Ujiri, but also Resch, Tolzman, Boyarsky, Embry, and the rest of the front office.

Ujiri is the central figure as the architect of his era for the club, but behind him is a group of exceptional basketball minds ready to do more – if need be (although, hopefully maybe not yet).