The Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is navigating through a rebuild and that is something he has not had to worry about for years.
Since 2013, Ujiri has experienced plenty of success and created some of the most iconic teams in franchise history. However, coming into the 2023-24 season, the leash was short as there has been mediocrity in the past few seasons.
While it may have been a year or two overdue, the Raptors decided to blow it up. Ultimately moving off from O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam to bring in some young talents to surround Scottie Barnes.
The Raptors new young core of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Barnes had some great moments together prior to injury. Now, it is time to continue to build and get out of this rebuild and not make it a pain stacking long one.
When asked about the Raptors direction, Ujiri mentioned that he is in close contact with Orlando Magic president Jeff Weltman, studying their rebuild, via Aaron Rose of Sports Illustrated:
“We’ve studied it from head to toe.”
He has kept in contact with Weltman, gaining some further insight as this is Ujiri’s first time going through a rebuild:
“I talked to (Magic team president) Jeff Weltman every other day. So, these are things that we all study, our front office to the core of it, because I think it’s our first time, it’s my first time.”
It is reassuring to see Ujiri gain an outside perspective from someone who has turned a franchise around. A rebuild is tedious and delicate, so learning how it operates is vital.
After spending several years in the gutter, the Magic are now in the playoffs as the No. 5 seed, becoming a surprise team of the Eastern Conference.
Hopefully, Ujiri is able to replicate that kind of success as time passes.
Masai Ujiri talks about Toronto’s upcoming free agency
While the NBA Draft is looming for the Raptors, free agency is equally as important. Being able to hit on draft picks and signings is crucial.
With important decisions centered around Gary Trent Jr. and Bruce Brown, Ujiri talked about the team’s plan heading into the summer.
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