Ujiri and the Raps

[eathb_au]

Not even I would give $15M to a guy who doesn't play or coach basketball.

[The Rebel]

I would agree that $15 million is too much for Ujiri, but it is also Broussard, so I don't believe that is the real number. Most have the last offer as being 4yr $12 million or 4 yr $9 million.

[The Rebel]

Chris Tomasson @christomasson

Nuggets initial offer to Masai Ujiri was believed to start at $1.2 mil per year, less than half of Toronto’s offer Will Nuggets raise it?

Chris Tomasson has long had connections in the nuggets front office, and every report I remember coming from him has been true. so while the offer is better then Toronto media has been reporting, I still think that is a bit of a low ball.

[The Rebel]

making the case for paying a GM market value.
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/5/30/4 ... asai-ujiri

[The Rebel]

According to NBA sources contacted by Sportsnet, the Denver Nuggets executive met with Denver president Josh Kroenke on Wednesday and is weighing a lucrative offer from Toronto for five years with a value an ESPN report pegged at $15 million.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/ ... eepstakes/

[RRFB]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 9m
Masai Ujiri has accepted Toronto GM job, sources tell Y!

**** **** **** **** **** ****

[almost famous]

Knew it would happen but I'm still kinda shocked

[DaFan334]

I'm hopeful that the rest of the front office staff contributed a bit to Ujiri's success and will remain with the team to keep some continuity of all the great things that Masia did. Its frustrating but he got paid a lot of money in comparison to the rest of the league and maybe Josh had more to do with the success than we are aware of.

[denvers_finest]

Pretty dissapointing. Not sure if it was the money or the opportunity, but if it was the former, its pretty embaresing that the Nuggets won't pony up a few million to keep talent from going to other teams.

[S.W.A.N]

Glad to have Ujiri back in the raps fold. Very excited to see if he can do as good of job for us as he did for you.

As for why he took the job instead of staying there seems to be a few factors. Obviously the money (5 years 15 mill all guaranteed is huge) also raps made commitment to some of Masai's African projects that are important to him. Masai also has strong connections to some of our staff and parts of the community which factored in.

Its impressive that it took that long and was that hard of a decision for him considering the monetary differences in contract offers. Says something to the way he felt about Denver. Hopefully you are able to maintain the momentum over the next couple years under new leadership.

[The Rebel]

Knew it was coming, but it still pisses me off, reportedly the Nuggets would not match a $3 million a year offer, which is ludicrous. After doing research that would have put him near the top end of the pay scale, but nowhere close to the top of what the best GMs make around the league.

[eathb_au]

I wonder if it was just the 3M per, because 5 years even if Masai has done a good job for us is ridiculous. Heck, Brian Colangelo who transformed the Suns to a powerhouse did nothing at Toronto and he's still there and Masai worked under him (and could still be??). While BC did luck out on Nash, you could say the same about Masai who came in with an incredible trade asset in Carmelo.

Any how, if we're also losing Iggy as a result of this, personally I think with the Knicks 2014 pick and Gallo out for most of the season, I think being in the lottery in a very very strong 2014 draft can be fantastic for us.

[StMikes31]

RAPTORS NAME MASAI UJIRI GENERAL MANAGER

Becomes fifth GM in team history



The Toronto Raptors announced Friday that the club has signed Masai Ujiri as its General Manager. Ujiri, 42, was recently named the NBA’s Executive of the Year in his capacity as Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations for the Denver Nuggets. He replaces Bryan Colangelo, who is now the Raptors’ President.

In his three seasons in Denver, Ujiri built the Nuggets into a team that won a franchise-record 57 games and delivered an NBA-best 38-3 record at home this past season.

A native of Nigeria, and the first African-born GM in the NBA, Ujiri will report to Tim Leiweke, MLSE’s President and CEO. “We feel very lucky to have Masai in our organization. He is a proven judge of talent and we look for him to be a big part of creating a winning atmosphere, leading us to the playoffs and, ultimately, delivering NBA championships for Toronto,” said Leiweke. “I would also like to publicly thank the Kroenke’s in Denver for being such a class organization that they would allow Masai to pursue his dream. They put him first in all of our discussions.”

Ujiri spent three years with the Raptors after joining the team as director of global scouting in 2007. He was elevated to assistant general manager in 2008. Ujiri is thrilled to return to the franchise that first gave him a front office position. “To come back to the Raptors, to live in such a great city, and work in an organization that has committed all the resources necessary to win championships was a huge factor in the decision,” said Ujiri. “I have already developed a great relationship with Tim Leiweke and I can’t wait to get back to Canada to build a team that is poised to take the next step in the NBA.”

Ujiri will be available to the media in Toronto next week

Good on you guys.

[corona]

frustrated with the franchise.

karl should be gone (long ago)

masai should be here.

[Powder Blue]

Hard to care about a franchise when ownership doesn't.

[The Rebel]

http://www.roundballminingcompany.com/2 ... departure/

[KAVK]

Masai's departure to me a sign of total change in direction on the way due to the way Kroenkes handled it. Now Karl is likely to bolt out while his value is higher and nothing coming from Nuggets on his contract status, just plain sending a message.

If things go forward the way it looks, then hate to say it but aiming for lottery pick in 2014 draft probably better suited with Gallo out likely the whole next season with Iggy & Brewer uncertainty along with our younger players needing on court time to develop.

We shall see..............