Why Masai Ujiri was out as VC and President of Toronto Raptors after NBA Draft. Exploring potential causes

This comes solely hours after the NBA Draft concluded. Ujiri, who joined the Raptors in 2013 and signed a major contract extension in 2021, was within the ultimate yr of his deal. His departure from a franchise he reworked into a world model has sparked hypothesis concerning the causes behind it. 

While the Raptors or Ujiri haven’t issued an announcement but, we’re itemizing potential causes behind the large transfer. 

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Ownership and organizational modifications at MLSE

Ujiri’s exit aligns with vital shifts at MLSE, the Raptors’ mother or father firm. In 2024, Bell Canada started promoting its stake to Rogers Communications, giving Rogers majority management. This adopted the departure of Brendan Shanahan as Toronto Maple Leafs president and Bill Manning as Toronto FC president, leaving Ujiri as MLSE’s final group president.

The restructuring, coupled with the exit of Larry Tanenbaum, an in depth ally who facilitated Ujiri’s previous offers, could have strained his place.

Recent group efficiency

The Raptors’ lackluster efficiency post-2019 championship seemingly contributed. After a 30-52 report in 2024-25, marking three straight non-playoff seasons, Ujiri confronted scrutiny over the group’s route. 

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Despite successes like drafting Scottie Barnes (2021, No. 4) and buying and selling for Brandon Ingram (2025), the Raptors remained ‘tweeners’—neither contenders nor lottery-bound. 

Other NBA groups?

Ujiri’s standing as a sought-after govt could have influenced his departure. In May 2025, the Atlanta Hawks expressed curiosity in hiring him as president of basketball operations. 

Other groups, together with the Washington Wizards and New York Knicks, beforehand pursued him with profitable gives, some nearing $10 million yearly with possession fairness.