TheAlchemist wrote:Imagine this: your team just won the championship. The core is strong, the system works, and you can realistically contend for another title—or two.
Then your franchise superstar walks.
Now what?
Option 1: Replace the talent. Bring in someone who can shoulder 60–70% of that superstar’s load. Package depth, use draft picks, clear cap—do what contenders do.
Option 2: Recognize the mountain’s too steep without a lead alpha. Sell high, flip veterans for assets, and start a proper rebuild.
Option 3: Stay the course. Re-sign key players, keep the culture intact, and see how far the team can go.
Option 4: Do absolutely nothing. Let free agents walk. Don't trade. Don’t rebuild. Don’t contend. Just… stall.
Masai Ujiri chose Option 4.
Kawhi left—we get it. But the decisions (or indecisions) that followed? That’s where it gets baffling.
No move for a Kawhi-lite replacement like Jimmy Butler. No aggressive retool. No full teardown.
Instead:
- Marc Gasol: Walked for nothing. The cost? Jonas Valanciunas and picks.
- Serge Ibaka: Left to join Kawhi. Again—no effort to re-sign, no trade, no return.
- Kyle Lowry: Philly reportedly offered Tyrese Maxey. Masai declined, and settled for Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic in a quiet sign-and-trade.
- Norman Powell: Wanted to retire a Raptor. Traded for Gary Trent Jr. (who had been trash).
- OG Anunoby: Passed on a reported trade from Portland—Shaedon Sharpe and the #7 pick. Later dealt OG for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley—good players, but not Sharpe-level upside.
- Pascal Siakam: Traded for filler and late firsts. Picks in the 20s don’t replace an All-NBA forward.
- Scottie Barnes: Chose not to move him in a package for Kevin Durant, even with a win-now core of Siakam, OG, and FVV. That team could’ve been a legitimate Finals threat.
He didn’t commit to contending. He didn’t commit to rebuilding. He hovered. He hesitated. He waited—too long.
And yet, Raptors fans still defend him like he’s infallible.
Look back. Connect the dots. This wasn’t patience—it was paralysis. And yes, Siakam trade was completely lopsided.
This is void of context. Yes Masai made mistakes, but everything you mention isn't truth.
Yup, Kawhi left. But it's not like there was magically $ available to spend on a UFA.
Raps were the 2nd best team in the league post Championship record wise when covid hit. So it's not like they cratered without Kawhi.
They lost in the bubble in the playoffs and a big reason was SIAKAM showing up out of shape and underperforming.
Yes Gasol and Serge left because they were UFA's after that 2020 season where they were going for a repeat. There was no "opportunity" to trade them....same with Kawhi.
Masai at this point was hoping Giannis came available and he didn't. He 100% failed in not replacing them by getting a reliable C.
2020-21 they had to play every home game in Tampa. Certainly an unusual season. They traded Powell for a younger SG with upside. People ignore that the deal was with Portland and Portand essentially salary dumped him. Every other team could of had him and passed. GTJ showed some promise but never improved.
That Lowry for Maxey deal was debunked. He was a UFA and they sent him where he wanted to go as a thank you for being the GROAT.
OG trade vs what could have been is still TBD
Siakam trade...Masai turned it into a 22pt scorer in Ingram+Ochai(shot 40% from 3+D)+Walter who's 3pt shooting improved every month as a rookie and shot over 40% the last 2 months.
Scottie Barnes for Durant...how many teams trade their ROTY in the season right after? And it wasn't just Barnes because the big difference in cap. It might have been OG+Barnes. We don't know. And at that point, still had no C so it was far from a team ready to compete.
So context is needed for a whole bunch of these things you listed. It isn't cut and dry like "they got nothing for Kawhi, Serge, Gasol, etc..."
Masai absolutely failed at not adding a C early enough. And yeah he could have moved OG or Siakam earlier but "Masai overrates his players" right?
Funny how there is no mention of the earlier Siakam deal where they could have gotten Bufkin and Griffin but declined. You know, where the Raps were idiots for not taking it.
And you ignore that the Siakam deal opened up cap space to take on Davion+2 2nds...which is now Shead+#39 this year+2nd from LA in future.
Siakam for Ingram+Ochai+Walter+Shead+#39+2nd is a fine return. It's helped build up the Raps depth they lacked.