Hey, to each their own, but if these candidates were already viewing their potential destination with pessimism and a bleak outlook, maybe this was just a blessing in disguise.
Raptors insider Josh Lewenberg mentioned on TSN's OverDrive program, following Toronto's decision to promote Bobby Webster to a more influential role within the franchise:
"What I was told was that a number of the external candidates that came in really, really pushed back on some of the moves that Masai [Ujiri] and company made over the last few years. One of them went as far as calling the [Brandon] Ingram trade a "desperate Hail Mary," and that's not surprising, right? I think a number of them also pointed out that the Raptors are in a bit of a cap crunch and paying a lot of money for a team that tops out right now as a play-in group. So, the fact that they ultimately decided to stay in-house tells us a few things ... it reiterates what we already knew — that the Masai [Ujiri] firing had more to do with money than vision."Josh Lewenberg, Aug 18, 2025
So, there's quite a bit to unpack there in terms of what stands out. The real kicker, of course, is the unnamed candidate Lewenberg mentions, who called the Brandon Ingram move a "desperate Hail Mary." That's a pretty firm take, and even with my strong faith in the Raptors succeeding with Ingram aboard the ship, I can see why someone might feel that way.
Raptors' recent string of questionable moves turned away potential hires
However, Lewenberg does acknowledge that was just one individual willing to make such a comment. The point I’ve highlighted multiple times in past pieces remains: the Raptors are undeniably in a tricky spot with their salary cap situation. Navigating a relatively expensive yet unproven roster will be a significant challenge for anyone. I can understand why someone applying for that job might approach it cautiously and with some hesitancy. You wouldn't want to step in and be blamed for all the mistakes made by the previous regime.
Case in point, it's why the Raptors chose to promote from within — despite fans on social media speculating that the real reason behind the deal might be MLSE and Rogers being cheap and stubborn, once again.
I'm firmly against toxic positivity just as much as I dislike a negative Nancy. I believe it's always best to approach things with a sense of realism and self-awareness. Regarding the Brandon Ingram swing, I don't think it makes much sense right now to assume it'll be a complete flop or a surprise success —there just isn't enough sample size to draw any conclusions yet, especially since he hasn't even suited up. But when it comes to money and talent mix, absolutely these candidates were right to think how they did.
Now, it’s just up to Bobby Webster not to overhaul everything overnight or claim he can fix all the Raptors’ problems with a snap of his fingers, but to demonstrate to this organization that he can salvage what’s been built around this core.