Masai Ujiri Departs Toronto Raptors

TORONTO: Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) announced Friday that Masai Ujiri has concluded his tenure as team president of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors by mutual consent.

Ujiri, celebrated as the architect of the Raptors’ 2019 NBA championship—a historic achievement as the first team outside the U.S. to win—leaves the franchise before the culmination of his five-year contract.

The organization released a statement acknowledging Ujiri’s accomplishments.

MLSE President and CEO Keith Pelley stated, “Masai was instrumental in the on-court transformation of the team and served as an inspirational figure off the court. He led Toronto to an NBA championship and encouraged us to have faith in our city and ourselves. We appreciate his contributions and wish him and his family well.”

This declaration occurs one day after the 2025 NBA Draft’s completion. The Raptors had a 30-52 record the previous season and were absent from the playoffs for the third year in a row.

Ujiri, who began with the Raptors in 2013, distinguished himself through impactful decisions, such as trading franchise mainstays and dismissing head coach Dwane Casey in May 2018, just two days after Casey received the NBA Coach of the Year award.

The most significant risk during Ujiri’s time was the trade of DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard in July 2018, a decision that initially faced skepticism.

However, Leonard became a pivotal player during his single season in Toronto, guiding the Raptors to an exhilarating championship victory and earning the NBA Finals’ Most Valuable Player award.

As the search for a new team president commences, the Raptors’ core leadership, including general manager Bobby Webster, remains secure with contract extensions.

Pelley concluded, “We believe the team is well-positioned and that bringing in a new president will help the Raptors continue to pursue another NBA championship.”