Today marked the final exit interview for the Raptors organization as their 2024-25 regular season drew to a close, and it was perhaps the most anticipated one of all—Raptors President Masai Ujiri was in the hot seat to address the media.
Ujiri discussed several topics related to the Raptors, but one point that really stood out to me was the status of several players on the team. Each of them is on track to secure their next contracts with the franchise.
Masai Ujiri comments on Raptors players seeking new contracts
A question arose about the futures of three key Raptors players: Ochai Agbaji, Jakob Poeltl, and RJ Barrett. Ujiri responded with the following:
"Longer-term, I think we address that at the end of the season... I would not talk about that now, but it's our intentions that these guys are the type of players that we want on our team. I think all three you've mentioned have done really well. Jakob [Poeltl] has been like a backbone for us when he's played here, I'd say he was one of the guys who had one of the better years here. We saw Ochai's improvement on the team, and also RJ [Barrett]. I told RJ that he told on himself now, that he can defend now, so yeah. "Masai Ujiri, April 16, 2025
Taking that response at face value and considering how it was delivered, I believe Ujiri genuinely values what veteran big man Poeltl brings to the Raptors. Notably, Poeltl emerged as one of the team's most impactful and consistent players all year, a point that I highlighted toward the end of the season.
When he talked about the two wings, Agbaji and Barrett, it didn't seem too detailed. Still, I'm not going to jump to conclusions and underestimate their value in the eyes of Ujiri. That said, with all the intel and rumors flying around the Raptors news scene, it definitely seems like the wing position is where Toronto is likely looking to make some changes. They're likely to try and make space for Brandon Ingram and maybe even a top prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft.
But then again, Ujiri revealed his thoughts on the questions surrounding the Raptors entering luxury tax territory as their hefty payroll starts to kick in: "Ownership, I think will be fine with it, depending on the talent we have on the team."
It's clear that Toronto isn't shy about paying top dollar for its talent, as long as they deliver on their price tags and perform at a high level.
While discussing players vying for their next contracts, Ujiri also touched on the status of the often-overlooked veteran, Chris Boucher, during the same media scrum. He would share this information about the team's choice to sit Boucher out later in the year and discuss where his journey with the Raptors might be heading next:
"This was a tough one. I think we had all the communication with Chris [Boucher]. I think Chris was an incredible professional, it was a tough place to put him. I think, when he played, he had a really good year and I think everybody knows who Chris Boucher is. I think the value of what he is, still stands here, with us, and it stands all over the league. Teams ask me everyday about him. Chris Boucher is all our longest-tenured player on our team... he's basically like family."Masai Ujiri on Chris Boucher
Ujiri would add further context to the Boucher situation by saying:
"I don't know who Jonathan Mogbo is. I don't know who Jamison Battle is, in terms of where they're going. I have to put them in a position to start to find out, what players they can become. And that's by throwing them into the NBA... giving them that opportunity. I only give example of those two, there are more that we really need to find out about... I think the value still stays the same and we'll treat it like that in the offseason."Masai Ujiri on Chris Boucher
Reflecting on Ujiri's comments about Boucher, it's clear he genuinely appreciates Boucher's hard work and dedication as a professional. However, I still believe the 32-year-old veteran is likely to find a new NBA home this offseason. He still has the potential to be a valuable contributor off the bench and getting DNP's in Toronto isn't the best way to close out his career.
Given how deep the Raptors' roster is—and the possibility of new additions next season—Boucher's role on the team largely closed shut before fans could even realize.
We'll have to wait and see how maestro Ujiri and the Raptors' front office manage the contract situations of these players as we head into the crucial offseason and beyond.