Masai Ujiri's exit interview for the Toronto Raptors was packed with insights and information that addressed some of the biggest questions swirling among fans and the media.
At first glance, a 30-52 record might suggest a tough road ahead for Toronto. However, as Ujiri pointed out in the media scrum, there are plenty of reasons to stay optimistic—not just for the long-term future, but also for the current win-now phase. Players like Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are key figures who can help lead the team forward.
The cast around them is really interesting, featuring a group of emerging talents who might not be superstars yet, but they’re definitely more than capable of pulling their weight. Looking at this promising bench squad, Ujiri would commend the growth of the Raptors’ young players and the boost in team chemistry that’s come with it. In fact, the Raptors' chief described the situation as an "A+."
It's rare to see a team near the bottom of the standings that can genuinely hold their heads high in tough times. Instead of succumbing to what should be a demoralizing situation, they come together—players and coaches alike—putting in their best effort to create positive energy. They focus on making the most of their opportunities, using each opportunity to grow and improve as a team.
Even with those impressive qualities, this Raptors team still has its flaws and could benefit from some adjustments. They need to add more talent, determine who to invest in, and decide who might need to be let go. The goal is to continue moving toward the bright future that Ujiri has envisioned, with another championship title in sight at some point.
The team is poised to be major players in the 2025 NBA Draft. Although their chances of securing the highest possible pick were hampered by a late-season push, Ujiri remains optimistic about the talent his franchise can find, regardless of their draft position.
Masai Ujiri comments on what Raptors need in the 2025 NBA Draft
When asked which positional need would best maximize their future, Ujiri pointed to a clear area for improvement:
"You know in this draft, wherever we fall, we're gonna go for the best talent available. I know it's the (laughs) answer everybody gives, or maybe will give, but it's a unique draft. We feel that we will have a talented player available. We'll try to get one that fits our ball club. Yeah, we need another young big. We would definitely look at that, but it's not really like focused on that to be honest. There's a lot of talented kids, again I say, in the draft. "Masai Ujiri on Raptors' 2025 draft plans
While Ujiri mentioned that the Raptors have other priorities, his comments reinforce what fans and analysts have been saying: Toronto's main need in the draft is a center. If they decide to go that route, the name most often linked to the Raptors is Duke center Khaman Maluach, a player Ujiri is reportedly quite fond of.
As Ujiri pointed out, while focusing on a center would be ideal, that doesn't mean the Raptors shouldn't prioritize getting the best talent available with their draft pick. It would be a mistake to overlook a higher-upside player just because they're not a center, especially if that player has more potential than the projected Maluach, so Ujiri's answer makes a ton of sense.
I'm sure the Maluach to Toronto rumors will continue growing as we inch closer to the draft. But for now, Raptors fans have some added clarity on what the head honcho is planning for this important offseason storyline.