Latest news with #KawhiLeonard
New York Times
14 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Masai Ujiri and the Raptors have split, but their success will impact Toronto forever
By parting ways with longtime executive Masai Ujiri, the Toronto Raptors have officially moved on from every major element of the most successful stretch in the franchise's 30-year history. No matter your thoughts on whether or not it was time for Ujiri to leave, it's hard to overstate his impact after turning the Raptors into an NBA champion with bold trades and sustained efforts to bring new talent to Toronto. But even the most successful teams must find a new path forward. In the Raptors' case, Ujiri's dismissal may not have been a shocker to many because the franchise has been facing a new direction for a while. Advertisement Since Toronto won the 2019 NBA Finals, the Raptors have sported the NBA's 20th-best win percentage (.475), missed the playoffs four times and parted ways with franchise stars Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam, along with key supporting players such as Serge Ibaka and O.G. Anunoby. They haven't finished with more than 41 wins in three seasons and have since replaced those aforementioned pillars with a core led by a 23-year-old Scottie Barnes, 25-year-old RJ Barrett, 26-year-old Immanuel Quickley and 27-year-old Brandon Ingram, the trade-deadline acqusition who has yet to suit up for the Raptors but signed a three-year extension with the team. Under Ujiri, the Raptors were led by head coaches Dwane Casey, Nick Nurse and Darko Rajaković. The Raptors missed the playoffs in each of their first two seasons under Rajaković but went 13-14 after last season's All-Star break, despite several injuries, including Ingram's. By moving on from Ujiri, who, as our own Eric Koreen explains, faced an uncertain future with the Raptors at various points during his 12-year tenure, Toronto will seek to add new successful chapters in its basketball history. Before the Raptors move on, let's examine a timeline of Ujiri's path to running Toronto's show and molding a champion. If you feel there are any glaring omissions, feel free to add and discuss in the comments. 2003 — Ujiri became an international scout for the Denver Nuggets after working in a similar role with the Orlando Magic. 2007 — The Raptors, led by Bryan Colangelo, hired Ujiri into their front office as director of international scouting. He became Toronto's assistant general manager by 2008. 2010 — On Aug. 27, Ujiri returned to the Nuggets as general manager and executive vice president for basketball operations, becoming the first African general manager in major American sports. The Nuggets went 50-32 during his first full season overseeing the franchise. Advertisement 2013 — On May 9, he was named NBA's Executive of the Year for the 2012-13 season, during which Denver won 57 games (tied for its most since joining the NBA via merger with ABA in 1976). 2013 — On May 31, Ujiri re-joined the Raptors as executive vice president and general manager on a five-year, $15 million deal. 2013 — On July 10, the Raptors traded Andrea Bargnani to the New York Knicks for Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, Quentin Richardson, a 2016 first-round pick (used to select Jakob Poeltl ninth) and two second-round picks. 2013 — The Raptors entered Dec. 9 with a record of 7-12 to begin the 2013-14 season. That day, Ujiri traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings for Chuck Hayes, Patrick Patterson, John Salmons and Greivis Vásquez. Toronto had the NBA's fourth-best record (41-22, .651 win percentage) en route to the first of a franchise-record seven consecutive playoff berths. The Raptors finished 48-34, then the best record in team history. 2014 — On April 19, during a fan rally for the Raptors' first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets, Ujiri shouted 'F— Brooklyn!' to the crowd, for which he apologized. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver fined Ujiri $25,000 for the incident. 2014 — With the 20th pick, the Raptors took Brazilian forward Bruno Caboclo, a relative unknown who memorably caused ESPN international basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla to declare that Caboclo was 'two years away from being two years away.' Caboclo played just 25 games over three-plus years with the Raptors before Ujiri traded him to Sacramento in 2017. He played for the Kings, Grizzlies and Rockets before leaving the league, but he has put together a solid international career. 2015 — On April 18, at a postseason fan rally, Ujiri said, 'We don't give a s— about it!' in response to the Washington Wizards' Paul Pierce saying the Raptors didn't have an 'it' factor. Silver fined Ujiri $35,000 and the Raptors organization $25,000. Ujiri apologized for the comments. Advertisement 2016 — For the 2015-16 season, the Raptors notched the first 50-win season in team history (56-26 mark, finishing one game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, the eventual NBA champions, for first in the East) as Kyle Lowry secured his first career All-NBA nod (Third Team). Toronto reached its first-ever conference final, losing to LeBron James' Cavaliers in six games. 2016 — On June 23, Ujiri and the Raptors drafted New Mexico State's Pascal Siakam, who was born in Cameroon, 27th in the 2016 NBA Draft. He was assigned to the franchise's G League affiliate, Raptors 905, as a rookie. Siakam led Raptors 905 to the G League title that season, averaging 23 points and nine rebounds in the finals en route to MVP honors. 2017 — Led by DeMar DeRozan's All-NBA season (Third Team), Toronto won 51 games in the 2016-17 season but were swept in East semifinals by the Cavaliers. 2017 — The Raptors drafted Indiana forward O.G. Anunoby 23rd in the 2017 NBA Draft. 2018 — During the 2017-18 season, the Raptors set a franchise record with 59 wins as Dwane Casey won NBA Coach of the Year honors. The Raptors fired Casey shortly after the 2018 playoffs, which ended with the Raptors' third consecutive postseason elimination by the Cavaliers, another sweep. Ujiri promoted Toronto assistant Nick Nurse to head coach. 2018 — On July 18, Ujiri traded DeRozan, Poeltl and a top-20-protected 2019 first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and cash. In 60 regular-season games during his lone season as a Raptor, Leonard averaged 26.6 points, which remains the third-highest single-season mark in team history, trailing only peak Vince Carter (27.6 in 2000-01) and DeRozan (27.3 in 2016-17). 2018 — On Nov. 28, during Peace Week, Ujiri was awarded the first-ever President's Peace Medal presented by YMCA of Greater Toronto. Advertisement 2019 — On Feb. 7, the Raptors acquired Marc Gasol from the Grizzlies in exchange for Jonas Valančiūnas, C.J. Miles, Delon Wright and a 2024 second-round pick. Down the stretch of the 2018-19 regular season, Gasol appeared in 25 games for the Raptors, shooting 44.2 percent from deep, ranking second on the team in rebounds (6.6 per game), second in blocks (0.9 per game) and third in assists (4.0 per game). The Raptors were 17.6 points per 100 possessions better when Gasol was on the floor in his 629 minutes to close the regular season than when he sat. 2019 — On June 24, Siakam was named Most Improved Player for the 2018-19 season, during which he averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists after averaging six points across his first 136 NBA games. He earned an All-Star nod and Second Team All-NBA selection by the next season. 2019 — On June 13, the Raptors clinched their first NBA championship, beating the Golden State Warriors 4-2 in that year's finals. Leonard, who won the 2014 NBA Finals MVP as a member of the Spurs, joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lakers, Bucks) and LeBron James (Cavaliers, Heat) as the only players to win finals MVP honors with multiple teams. Leonard's 732 points for the 2019 playoffs trail only Michael Jordan (759 in 1992) and James (748 in 2018) for the highest-scoring playoff run by any player in NBA history. 2019 — Moments after the 2019 title was secured, Ujiri was seen on video getting into an altercation with a sheriff's deputy. It was alleged by Sgt. Ray Kelly, a spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriff's Department, that Ujiri failed to show proper credentials for floor access, shoved a sheriff's deputy and made contact with his face. Lowry eventually came over to escort Ujiri onto the court for the Raptors' celebration. Ujiri disputed the account, saying the sheriff's deputy initiated and escalated the confrontation. Both parties filed lawsuits against the other. Both lawsuits were dropped by February 2021. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process. The story of the greatest players in NBA history. 2020 — After losing Leonard in free agency, the Raptors went 53-19 for the 2019-20 season, the year was interrupted and shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their title defense ended in the second round of the playoffs, losing to the Boston Celtics in seven games. 2021 — For the 2020-21 season, the Raptors had their lowest win total since Ujiri took over (going 27-45 and finishing 12th in the East) and hosted home games in Tampa, Fla., due to travel restrictions between the United States and Canada as the pandemic continued. On July 28, the team drafted Florida State's Scottie Barnes fourth, with the Raptors having moved up from seventh in the lottery. 2021 — On Aug. 6, the Raptors signed Lowry to a new contract to complete a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat for Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragić. Advertisement 2021 — Ujiri signed a five-year contract with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. 2022 — The Raptors went 48-34 for the 2021-22 season but were eliminated in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers. It was the last time the Raptors finished above .500 2023 — On April 21, the Raptors fired Nurse as head coach, leading to Rajaković, who spent time as an assistant for the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder, taking over the role. 2023 — On June 30, Ujiri was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. 2023 — On Dec. 30, the Raptors traded Anunoby, Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to the Knicks for Barrett, Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick. 2024 — On Jan. 17, the Raptors traded Siakam for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three future first-round picks. 2024 — On July 8, the Raptors and Quickley, a restricted free agent, agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract. On the same day, Barnes signed a five-year, $224.2 million extension. 2025 — On Feb. 6, Ujiri acquired Ingram from the Pelicans in exchange for Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a 2026 first-round pick and a 2031 second-rounder. On Feb. 12, the Raptors and Ingram agreed to a three-year, $120 million contract extension, which includes a player option for 2027-28 2025 — Toronto finished the 2024-25 season with a 30-52 record and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, marking the longest such streak under Ujiri. 2025 — On June 25, the Raptors selected South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles with the ninth pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. 2025 — On Friday, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment parted ways with Ujiri. During his tenure overseeing the franchise, the Raptors had the NBA's fifth-highest win percentage (.565) as they secured almost twice as many playoff berths in 12 seasons under Ujiri's leadership (eight) than the five they clinched in 18 seasons prior. ( Photo: Dan Hamilton / USA Today Network via Imagn Images )
Reuters
19 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Raptors part ways with team president Ujiri after 12 seasons
TORONTO, June 27 (Reuters) - Masai Ujiri, who oversaw the most successful era in the history of the NBA's Toronto Raptors, is out as team president, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) announced on Friday. Ujiri, whose bold gambles helped the Raptors capture the 2019 NBA championship, making them the first and only team outside the United States to do so, was entering the final year of a five-year contract with the team. "Masai has helped transform the organization on the court and has been an inspirational leader off it," MLSE President and CEO Keith Pelley said in a press release. "He brought an NBA championship to Toronto and urged us to believe in this city, and ourselves. We are grateful for all he has done and wish him and his family the very best." The decision to part ways with Ujiri comes a day after the 2025 NBA Draft concluded and following a season in which the Raptors went 30-52 and missed the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Ujiri joined the Raptors in 2013 and became known for his bold decision-making, trading some of the team's more popular players and firing head coach Dwane Casey in May 2018 two days after he was named the NBA's coach of the year. Perhaps Ujiri's biggest gamble was the blockbuster trade in July 2018 that sacrificed fan favourite DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard, a move that was initially greeted with mixed reaction among the team's fan base. But Leonard became one of Canada's most popular athletes during his one season in Toronto as he took the Raptors on a thrilling championship run that saw him named the most valuable player of the NBA Finals. As the search for a new team president commences, Raptors front office leadership remains in place with extensions for key personnel including general manager Bobby Webster. "We feel the team is in a strong, stable place, and we believe the addition of a new president will continue to move the Raptors forward, towards our next NBA championship,' said Pelley.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raptors Champion Receives Major Update on NBA Future
Raptors Champion Receives Major Update on NBA Future originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 NBA Finals are set to begin on June 5, but there are plenty of teams around the league who are already shifting their focus to the offseason. This includes the Houston Rockets, who may have some major decisions to make this summer. Advertisement One player in Houston to keep an eye on is Fred VanVleet. The former Toronto Raptors champion has a $44.9 million team option that the Rockets must make a decision on this year. If they decline, he will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. While nothing is official, there was a recent update regarding VanVleet's contract status that will have a big impact on his NBA future. Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23), guard Kyle Lowry (7), forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and center Serge Ibaka (9)© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images VanVleet signed with the Rockets as a free agent in 2023 after seven years in Toronto. Despite coming off his worst statistical season in a few years, it seems that the Illinois native is going to stick around for another season. Advertisement According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic (subscription required), the Rockets will likely bring VanVleet back in the offseason. Iko suggests that they could do so by either picking up his team option or negotiating a new contract at a lower salary. "Houston is expected to bring guard Fred VanVleet back, according to both team and league sources, either by picking up his $44.9 million team option for the 2025-26 season or negotiating a new deal at a lower, team-friendly salary," Iko wrote."The likelihood VanVleet plays for a different team next season is slim, those sources said." VanVleet has started every game of his Rockets career so far and played a big role in their recent playoff appearance. However, most would know him best for his time with the Raptors, where he helped the team win their first-ever NBA Championship and was an All-Star. The 31-year-old provides a lot of value to Houston, and it could make sense for them to keep him around in the offseason. Regardless, this will be a situation worth monitoring until something becomes official. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cooper Flagg Didn't Hesitate When Naming His NBA Comparison
Cooper Flagg Didn't Hesitate When Naming His NBA Comparison originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg is expected to be selected No. 1 overall in Wednesday's 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. Advertisement In his lone season at Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists, leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four. But their national championship dreams fell to Houston in the semifinal. Ahead of the draft, Flagg joined House of Highlights for a one-on-one interview. When asked which NBA player he would compare himself to, the Maine native quickly named Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard. "I like to think that I can play like Kawhi," Flagg said. "You know, just such a good two-way talent. I don't know if I actually do or not, but I think my friends would say someone like that as well." Leonard joined the NBA in 2011, selected No. 15 overall by the San Antonio Spurs. He spent seven seasons there, winning one championship, before being traded to the Toronto Raptors. In one season in Canada, Leonard brought the Raptors their first-ever championship before signing with the Clippers in 2019. Advertisement Like Flagg mentioned, Leonard has become one of the better two-way players in the game. He is averaging 20.1 points on 49.9% shooting for his career and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors twice. Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper FlaggRobert Deutsch-Imagn Images Barring a last-minute draft decision from Dallas, Flagg is set to join a Mavericks team with championship aspirations heading into the 2025–26 season. He'll be added to a veteran-filled roster that includes Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson. Irving, however, suffered a torn ACL during the regular season, which could sideline him for a significant portion of 2025–26. Along with Flagg, Duke has numerous other players expecting to be selected on Wednesday or Thursday. Fellow Blue Devils Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach are expected to join Flagg as a lottery pick. Advertisement Related: LeBron James Turns Heads With Personal Announcement on Monday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blockbuster Trade Idea: Clippers Could Create Big 3 With Kevin Durant; Last Chance For An NBA Championship
Blockbuster Trade Idea: Clippers Could Create Big 3 With Kevin Durant; Last Chance For An NBA Championship originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Kevin Durant's next move could reshape the Western Conference, and there's a compelling buzz building around Los Angeles. With the Phoenix Suns exploring trade options and KD reportedly eyeing San Antonio, Houston, Miami, and possibly the L.A. Clippers, word is spreading that L.A.'s blue-chip duo of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden could add another superstar to the mix in this trade idea. Advertisement After near-miss assemblies in past summers, a fresh opportunity to form a true 'Big Three' may finally be within reach, and it involves an interesting reunion between Kevin Durant and James Harden. The Clippers have shown elite-level performance recently, winning 50+ games and securing a Pacific Division title behind Kawhi, Harden, and elite coach Tyronn Lue. However, bringing in Durant would ignite their offense even further, layering in his unparalleled three-level scoring and playoff experience. But a successful counteroffer will require navigating salary constraints and offering the Suns value. In this piece, we'll introduce a blockbuster trade scenario that puts Durant on the Clippers, analyze the pros and cons for both franchises, and evaluate whether this could be L.A.'s final best shot at a championship run. Let's break it all down. Proposed Trade Details Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns Receive: Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell, 2026 second-round pick (MEM), 2031 first-round pick (LAC) Clippers Form A Big Three That Will Place Them Among The Top 4 In The West Acquiring Kevin Durant instantly elevates the Clippers into championship conversation, forming a powerhouse three-headed monster alongside stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. LA's current core, Leonard (former Defensive Player of the Year) and Harden (former MVP), has taken them to consecutive 50-win seasons. Advertisement Adding Durant, who averaged 26.6 PPG on .527/.430/.839 shooting splits with 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks this season, gives the Clippers an all-time elite offensive trio capable of rivaling any in the league. His presence forces opponents to stretch their defense, creating easier drives for Harden or open catch-and-shoot looks for role players. Coach Tyronn Lue, who has experience with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, knows how to manage rosters with multiple ball-dominant stars, a potential edge for LA. The proposed package, Zubac, Powell, a 2026 second-rounder, and a 2031 first-rounder, strikes a balance between winning now and planning for the future. While KD is 36 and approaching decline, the upside, an inside-out superstar fusion, makes this trade the Clippers' best shot at serious title contention. Suns Recoup Two Starters Around Devin Booker And Gain Future Assets For Phoenix, the proposed return of Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell, and future picks offers a reset around Devin Booker. Zubac provides much-needed interior presence; he averaged a career year and would address Phoenix's long-standing issues with rim protection. Advertisement Powell adds instant scoring punch as a proven 20-point-per-game contributor, including standout performances like a 41‑point outburst this season. This package helps Phoenix recover flexibility: Powell's expiring deal ($20,482,758 in 2025-26) provides cap relief, and the draft assets, a 2026 second-rounder from Memphis and a 2031 Clippers first-rounder, lay groundwork for future retooling. With the franchise entering its fourth coaching cycle in as many years and capped into large contracts, shedding Durant's salary while bringing in rotation and picks helps realign their timeline. Most importantly, this seismic shift reframes Phoenix's core. Pairing Booker with Zubac and Powell, both efficient, basketball-savvy veterans, provides a balanced foundation of shooting, defense, and leadership. It's not a quick return to Finals contention, but it gives the Suns breathing room for a smarter rebuild and better roster construction. A Blockbuster Trade Idea That Makes Sense For Both Sides This trade perfectly balances both franchises' priorities. The Clippers gain a generational scorer to complement Leonard and Harden, transforming them into title contenders. KD's fit alongside Lue's system, and LA's shooting-focused supporting cast seems almost cinematic in its potential. Advertisement Phoenix, on the other hand, moves entrenched payroll for functional assets: a defensive anchor in Zubac, floor-spacing in Powell, and long-dated picks that restore strategic flexibility. Those picks, while distant, provide peace of mind in an uncertain free-agent market, exactly what the Suns need after mortgaging much of their future on Durant. In short, this deal gives LA its best shot at a championship window without gutting continuity, while giving Phoenix clarity and room to rebuild smart. It may not match Brooklyn's legendary package for Durant in 2023, but these are tough trade winds in a changed landscape, and this one sails smoothly for both sides. Related: NBA Insider Hints At A Potential Kevin Durant-James Harden Reunion Amid Trade Rumors This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
