[Shams] Masai Ujiri is out as Vice Chairman and President of the Toronto Raptors

[Tha Cynic]

But Ross aktkins and Shapiro are still here? Wtf is up with that

It’s pretty scary when you think about what has happened with the Jays. This has been going on for a decade.

10 years is a long time lol

[theonlyeastcoastrapsfan]

the timing is bad, should have been earlier if this was the plan. But he was being paid as a top level GM, but hadn't been performing that way. So this next contract was always a likely break up. The idea of Masai taking less, seems unlikely, as does the idea of continuing to pay him as a top performing GM. If you can tell which way the wind is blowing without the weather man telling you, you would have anticipated this was happening this year, despite the fact that that captured imbedded propagandist beat guys only report what the org wants.

Except he wasn't the GM, and the role he was ACTUALLY playing he was perfectly suited for.

Even if Masai had the title of President, and Bobby the GM, it is my belief that the decisions were made my Masai. Even if Bobby does all the work, Masai signs off on the directions and every major decision. I do not think it was a thing where, Bobby is the GM it's his decision, not mine. So it is hard to evaluate what differences there would be if it was someone else making that call. Ownership is always involved, look at Nico wearing the owners decision in Dallas, but I think from the sounds of things, they've haven't been hard to work with from Bball execs. With Masai gone, I assume despite no immeadiate change in title, Bobby assumes the void of Masai's departure and he will be the main org decision maker. We'll see how aggressive, patient, accommodating, calculating he is when he can make his own decisions. He's already a cap guru, he'll lean on Tolsman and whoever else is around.

I suspect they announce the search will find that Bobby is the new pres.

[Los_29]

He should've started the rebuild in 2021 right after they drafted Barnes, and not hang onto Siakam, FVV etc. The Norm trade was the beginning, trading down for Thad, Flynn, the disagreements with NN, 6'9 vision, poeltl trade because the lack of Center, bit he had a chance of picking Kessler but he traded down for Thad and went for his African fellow Koloko, keeping Siakam, OG and FVV until they're value was at the lowest... 48W season was a fluke and not a success. This team had no joy or vision everybody saw it, they literally had to squeeze out a w in every game and played a 7/8 man rotation. He **** up big time during the last 4 years. One bad decision followed the next. Masai just did a bad job, and it's OK to admit that. He had good run. And I'm pretty sure he will be successful somewhere else too, where he has a fresh start.

In '20 they had the second best record in the NBA. Kinda hard to tear down that team especially since our core was stepping into more prominent roles after Kawhi departed. Easy to say stuff like this in hindsight.

IM NOT TALKING ABOUT 2020. IM TALKING ABOUT 2021. STOP TWISTING WORDS.

Scottie won ROTY and they won 48 games. It wasn’t unrealistic at the time to think Scottie could continue to get better and develop into a top 15 player. That didn’t happen and we rebuilt a year and a half later.

[Mattatron]

He should've started the rebuild in 2021 right after they drafted Barnes, and not hang onto Siakam, FVV etc. The Norm trade was the beginning, trading down for Thad, Flynn, the disagreements with NN, 6'9 vision, poeltl trade because the lack of Center, bit he had a chance of picking Kessler but he traded down for Thad and went for his African fellow Koloko, keeping Siakam, OG and FVV until they're value was at the lowest... 48W season was a fluke and not a success. This team had no joy or vision everybody saw it, they literally had to squeeze out a w in every game and played a 7/8 man rotation. He **** up big time during the last 4 years. One bad decision followed the next. Masai just did a bad job, and it's OK to admit that. He had good run. And I'm pretty sure he will be successful somewhere else too, where he has a fresh start.

In '20 they had the second best record in the NBA. Kinda hard to tear down that team especially since our core was stepping into more prominent roles after Kawhi departed. Easy to say stuff like this in hindsight.

IM NOT TALKING ABOUT 2020. IM TALKING ABOUT 2021. STOP TWISTING WORDS. It was clear and well known to everybody that the Tampa season would be a mess. We lost Gabaka, both of them were on their last legs. Norm was traded, Lowry became old. It was ok to hold onto that Championship team in the defending season 2020 and ive always stood for that while others wanted to trade every piece, but they earned it to run it back. But tampa and everything else after the summer 2021 was a fever dream

[Tha Cynic]

From a business standpoint, Jays are well run organization. They also spend a lot. The mediocre GM of the team is a separate issue.

Rogers is more focused on making money. I don’t think it’s all doom and gloom like everyone’s making it out to be. Rogers will not accept mediocrity, so it’ll be tough for people who want a long rebuild.

I take it you don’t follow the Jays?

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Question: do we know if Bobby is actually good?

His background is CBA/cap expert. That’s not exactly the type of skill this franchise needs. Cap manipulation isn’t exactly priority 1 for a team that never gets free agents.

Tolzman seems better imo

[Madvillainy2004]

Long over due is pretty crazy lmao they won a championship in 2019 and made the 2nd round game 7 in 2020. Even 2022 was seen as mostly successful. The only year he held on too long was 2023. Then he tore it down the year after and we've been rebuilding since.

He should've started the rebuild in 2021 right after they drafted Barnes, and not hang onto Siakam, FVV etc. The Norm trade was the beginning, trading down for Thad, Flynn, the disagreements with NN, 6'9 vision, poeltl trade because the lack of Center, bit he had a chance of picking Kessler but he traded down for Thad and went for his African fellow Koloko, keeping Siakam, OG and FVV until they're value was at the lowest... 48W season was a fluke and not a success. This team had no joy or vision everybody saw it, they literally had to squeeze out a w in every game and played a 7/8 man rotation. He **** up big time during the last 4 years. One bad decision followed the next. Masai just did a bad job, and it's OK to admit that. He had good run. And I'm pretty sure he will be successful somewhere else too, where he has a fresh start.

In '20 they had the second best record in the NBA. Kinda hard to tear down that team especially since our core was stepping into more prominent roles after Kawhi departed. Easy to say stuff like this in hindsight.

Some crazy revisionism going on lmao 2021 was seen by most as a unfair season considering they played every game on the road (they also got scottie barnes from that season). 2022 Siakam missed like 2 months he came back and they were good. 2023 was a big misstep and then he traded everyone in 2024 and let Fred walk. Also some of the critiques being made are dumb, Walker Kessler is a fine player but nothing special. And blaming Masai on Koloko who had blood clots then we were forced to let him go was also not his fault. He didn't have a good post 2020 run but I think if you say 2021 was a wash, you have 1 bad year. It's not like he's left the team in shambles with a old roster and no frps lol the team is in a better spot then whatever garbage he had to deal with from BC.

[YogurtProducer]

The problem is not even that Masai got fired, but how it was done. It looks like an action James Doolan from NYK would make. This does not inspire confidence for the future.

I mean yes and no.

Doing it before the draft is dumb. That throws out an entire year of scouting. Doing it after Free agency is also dumb as then you hire a President who has his hands tied to make moves for almost an entire year.

IDK if there is ever a "good" time to replace your president or GM

[Dalek]

The player centric culture will change a lot, but we needed better decision makers. Masai and Bobby over the years have been stubborn in their philosophy and slow to make trades at the right time, and poor at asset acquisition.

More analysts than Bill Simmons have questioned the direction of the team.

Maybe now we can move forward and not chase after Giannis and put together a modern team. I assume Bobby is next to go if they bring in a new executive. Let's revamp the whole FO over the next year. Truly rebuild this team.

[Mikistan]

Question: do we know if Bobby is actually good?

His background is CBA/cap expert. That’s not exactly the type of skill this franchise needs. Cap manipulation isn’t exactly priority 1 for a team that never gets free agents.

Reports were he orchestrated the kawhi trade

[ConSarnit]

So they are hiring CAA to look for a new President.
bob myers is a CAA client, he might be one of the few names, but CAA is a big player.

I wouldn’t mind Bob

Myers is an appallingly bad drafter. I want nothing to do with him.

Myers has a great rep but if you dig deeper he wasn’t in charge when they drafted Curry or Klay. When you’re already set up with 2 all-stars (one who is an all-time great) your job becomes much easier.

[OakleyDokely]

The problem is not even that Masai got fired, but how it was done. It looks like an action James Doolan from NYK would make. This does not inspire confidence for the future.

I mean yes and no.

Doing it before the draft is dumb. That throws out an entire year of scouting. Doing it after Free agency is also dumb as then you hire a President who has his hands tied to make moves for almost an entire year.

IDK if there is ever a "good" time to replace your president or GM

probably should have been done at the conclusion of the season.

[RapsFanInOhio]

Okay so less emotional thoughts:

- Definitely a Bobby draft.
- We knew this was coming if Ed gained control, it was only a matter of when. Masai and Ed weren’t working together no matter what.
- Masai made comments a few years ago that he was “back” and more hands-on because the on court product worsened, but then the Rogers thing happened and I think he just backed off. He clearly didn’t see a future for himself here, so I’m guessing he probably worked with Bobby and Dan (who surely had some knowledge this was coming if we did) to transition. The fact that Masai got extensions for those guys and all of the management is staying tells me that the root of this was the Ed-Masai relationship and the fact that they probably weren’t coming to terms on an extension because Ed didn’t feel he was worth it and didn’t want to pay.
- I have some comfort with keeping Bobby and Dan in place, and there’s a little relief that this didn’t turn super ugly. I also think this was probably more mutual than we’re giving credit for (me included) - I think there’s some truth that Masai wants to get into politics and philanthropy rather than doing the daily GM grind. Add that into the idea of working for Ed and it was probably a professional end to the relationship, especially because this could have happened in April.
- I really don’t think this was performance related, or else everyone would be gone and there’s no way they would have let this group run a draft or free agency process. This was more “Masai and Ed don’t get along” than anything else.
- I would be somewhat surprised if Masai stepped right back into a full time, grind type of GM job. I could see him continuing to dabble in African ball, taking on a consulting type of role, or even pursuing political office. I’ve gotten that sense from him for a long time now anyway.

All of that said, f*** you Ed.

[YogurtProducer]

He should've started the rebuild in 2021 right after they drafted Barnes, and not hang onto Siakam, FVV etc. The Norm trade was the beginning, trading down for Thad, Flynn, the disagreements with NN, 6'9 vision, poeltl trade because the lack of Center, bit he had a chance of picking Kessler but he traded down for Thad and went for his African fellow Koloko, keeping Siakam, OG and FVV until they're value was at the lowest... 48W season was a fluke and not a success. This team had no joy or vision everybody saw it, they literally had to squeeze out a w in every game and played a 7/8 man rotation. He **** up big time during the last 4 years. One bad decision followed the next. Masai just did a bad job, and it's OK to admit that. He had good run. And I'm pretty sure he will be successful somewhere else too, where he has a fresh start.

In '20 they had the second best record in the NBA. Kinda hard to tear down that team especially since our core was stepping into more prominent roles after Kawhi departed. Easy to say stuff like this in hindsight.

IM NOT TALKING ABOUT 2020. IM TALKING ABOUT 2021. STOP TWISTING WORDS. It was clear and well known to everybody that the Tampa season would been a mess. We lost Gabaka, both of them were on their last legs. Norm was traded, Lowry became old. It was ok to hold onto that Championship team in the defending season 2020 and ive always saod that whole others wanted to trade every piece, but they earned it to run it back. But tampa and everything else after the summer 2021 was a fever dream

I mean, it would have been crazy to trade away Siakam/FVV/OG outside of godfather offers as they were 26, 26, and 23 years old respectively.

[ForeverTFC]

But Ross aktkins and Shapiro are still here? Wtf is up with that

It’s pretty scary when you think about what has happened with the Jays. This has been going on for a decade.

10 years is a long time lol

Rogers only surrounds himself with yes men and only feels comfortable around mediocre people. His own father chose a different guy over him to run Rogers and Ed got jealous and ousted him.

Again, anyone who takes the side of this unremarkable nepo baby is simply just as mediocre.

[YogurtProducer]

Question: do we know if Bobby is actually good?

His background is CBA/cap expert. That’s not exactly the type of skill this franchise needs. Cap manipulation isn’t exactly priority 1 for a team that never gets free agents.

I guess we don't really know how much he was involved in drafts / trades / whatever over the past however many years.

How awkward for Bobby though to likely know in negotiations your boss is gonna get canned. The same guy you pretty much owe your job to.

[Duffman100]

Love Masai but I guess onto a new thing.

Curious if we see a different direction now. Or if it's status quo with Bobby/Tolz

[DreamTeam09]

Why didn't they trade him for a draft pick then, ATL would've given us 13 or the Pels pick smh
Rogers is dumb

You are under the assumption that Ed Rogers knows how the NHL and NBA operates. Rogers wanted to slash salary, not to make moves that benefits the teams.

That would've cut salary, they still have to pay him until his contract ends at the end of 26/

[Randle McMurphy]

The Raptors post championship have not been well run, and Webster has been there the whole time. Removing Masai but keeping everyone else seems counter productive, unless Webster was just getting Masai coffee the last six years.

Agreed, it doesn’t make much sense to keep Bobby too which suggests to me this decision was largely about money.

The other big distinction between Shapiro and MU is that they aren’t paying Shapiro a ridiculous amount of money (10M+ a year) to get mediocre production.

Shapiro was also extensively involved in the stadium renovations (a stadium that Rogers owns), so he’s likely deep in Rogers’ inner circle. I don’t think he’s going anywhere anytime soon unless it’s his choice. If Masai was producing in 2020-25 as good as he was in 2013-19, then I think he stays on but hard to know what the real reasoning was. Financial was definitely part of it but financial mixed with poor results is harder to justify.

You just can’t justify paying Masai over 10M a year for what this franchise has been the past five years. It’s also hard to imagine Masai ever being willing to take a pay cut off that number either, which I think inevitably led to them departing today.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Shapiro after this season as his contract is expiring itself. Could Shapiro end up in Pelley’s job running all of MLSE in the end?

[YogurtProducer]

- I have some comfort with keeping Bobby and Dan in place, and there’s a little relief that this didn’t turn super ugly. I also think this was probably more mutual than we’re giving credit for (me included) - I think there’s some truth that Masai wants to get into politics and philanthropy rather than doing the daily GM grind. Add that into the idea of working for Ed and it was probably a professional end to the relationship, especially because this could have happened in April.

- I would be somewhat surprised if Masai stepped right back into a full time, grind type of GM job. I could see him continuing to dabble in African ball, taking on a consulting type of role, or even pursuing political office. I’ve gotten that sense from him for a long time now anyway.

I think if he was stepping away from the NBA the Raptors would have let him "step down" and announce that on his own terms as it would look better for everyone involved.

The fact they didn't make me think Masai would have stayed on if the circumstances were different