Masai Ujiri's Next Possible Career Decision After Raptors Exit
Masai Ujiri's Next Possible Career Decision After Raptors Exit originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Toronto Raptors officially confirmed on Friday that Masai Ujiri is no longer serving as the team's president and vice chairman, ending a transformative 12-season tenure that included Toronto's first NBA title in 2019. Ujiri was entering the final year of his contract, and the decision follows a disappointing 30-52 campaign in 2024-25.
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Ujiri has long been recognized as one of the league's most respected executives. He began his NBA career as a scout before taking the reins in Toronto in 2013, ultimately earning NBA Executive of the Year honors and orchestrating the Kawhi Leonard blockbuster that led to the Raptors' championship run. His departure leaves GM Bobby Webster and the remaining front office as the cornerstone for the franchise's rebuild.
Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23), guard Kyle Lowry (7), forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and center Serge Ibaka (9)© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
This news coincides with renewed speculation about Ujiri's next destination. He was reportedly among several candidates for the Atlanta Hawks' president of basketball operations role earlier this spring.
Now that he and Toronto have mutually agreed to part ways, NBA insider Marc Stein suggest the Hawks remain a likely destination:
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"Masai Ujiri emerged as a candidate in Atlanta's recent search for a president of basketball operations as @TheSteinLine reported in May... A sign, perhaps, his time with the Raptors was nearing an end. Now ESPN reports Toronto and Ujiri have parted ways."
Ujiri's departure, announced just a day after the NBA Draft, came as a surprise to many, and Atlanta, which promoted Onsi Saleh to GM this spring and is still in search of a president, could provide the structured leadership role Ujiri is suited for. If he does land in Atlanta, Ujiri would bring championship pedigree to an evolving Hawks front office.
With Ujiri now officially on the market, the Raptors will continue searching for his successor, while the Hawks—and potentially other teams—will consider his proven track record as a built-in difference-maker.
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Related: Raptors-Nets RJ Barrett Trade Report Drops on Tuesday
Related: Raptors Send Brandon Ingram Message After Giannis Antetokounmpo News
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
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36 minutes ago
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