TORONTO — Masai Ujiri, the president and vice-chairman of the Toronto Raptors, is entering his 12th year at the helm of Canada’s only NBA franchise, and his passion for the team remains as strong as ever. During his annual season-ending press conference on April 16, 2025, Ujiri highlighted the Raptors' improved on-court chemistry, giving it an "A-plus" rating. He expressed optimism about the future, referencing comments from star player Scottie Barnes, who stated that the Raptors should aim to return to the playoffs next season.
Ujiri's focus on cultivating a winning culture has been evident. "We have that focus of playing together and playing the right way, and attacking the game. It's really built our culture," he said. This commitment to team unity marks a stark contrast to previous seasons when the Raptors struggled with selfish play.
With a record of 30-52 this past season, the Raptors finished seven games behind the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference, giving them the seventh-worst record in the NBA. This positions them with a 31.9 percent chance of securing a top-four pick and a 7.5 percent shot at the first overall selection in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery on May 12. Ujiri is particularly excited about the draft, especially with top prospect Cooper Flagg from Duke University being a potential target. "Wherever we fall, we're going to go for the best talent available," he stated confidently.
The Raptors entered the previous draft with only one pick but emerged with five rookies, thanks to strategic trades and free agent signings. They selected Ja'Kobe Walter (19th overall), Jonathan Mogbo (31st), and Jamal Shead (45th), while also adding undrafted free agent Jamison Battle. Although Ulrich Chomche missed most of the season due to injury, the other rookies showed promise, indicating a bright future for the franchise.
A significant move this season was the acquisition of former All-Star Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans. Ujiri emphasized that Ingram's addition is a vital step toward improving the Raptors' offensive capabilities, particularly in crunch time. "Trading for Brandon Ingram and then signing him helps us head towards our goal of getting better and adding more players to build a championship team," he explained. Ujiri believes Ingram fits the mold of what the team needs as they continue their rebuild.
Ujiri also addressed the looming changes in ownership, as Rogers Communications is set to buy out Bell, and Larry Tanenbaum can be bought out by Rogers by the summer of 2026. However, he reassured fans that these transitions would not disrupt the team's operations. "I don’t see anything changing. Everything has been normal," he remarked, highlighting the stable relationships he has maintained within the organization.
One of the prevailing themes from Ujiri's press conference was the importance of building a cohesive team. He acknowledged that some teams, like Utah and Philadelphia, have taken extreme measures to secure high draft picks, but he believes in instilling winning habits rather than resorting to tanking. "I think sometimes it’s a little bit overrated with the teams’ approaches to going scorched earth for lottery balls," he said. Ujiri is confident that the Raptors will find suitable talent regardless of where they land in the draft.
Reflecting on his journey with the Raptors, Ujiri recalled the challenges of the 2019 championship season, where he felt he didn’t get to fully enjoy the victory due to the pressure of retaining star players like Kawhi Leonard. "The day we won the championship, the only thing I was thinking about was: Are we going to re-sign Kawhi?" he lamented. Now, he guarantees that he will enjoy the next title and firmly believes that the Raptors will win again. "Every day I wake up, I sleep, I drink, I eat, is to come and try to win. You know, nothing else," he stated passionately.
Ujiri's commitment to building a championship team is unwavering, and he remains focused on identifying the right talent to complement the existing roster. He praised the leadership growth of Scottie Barnes, who has shown significant improvement both on and off the court. "For me, one of the things I really challenged Scottie with was becoming the leader. He’s taken it with pride," Ujiri said, noting Barnes's accountability and growth as a young player.
The Raptors have also been navigating their financial landscape carefully, with Ujiri suggesting that ownership would be open to a hefty payroll if the talent on the team justifies it. "It depends on the kind of talent we have on the team. So, we’ll see how the draft goes and where we are," he explained, emphasizing the importance of making calculated decisions in the market.
As the Raptors prepare for the offseason, Ujiri remains optimistic about the potential for growth and success. He believes that the team is on the right track, with a shared goal of winning another championship. "The goal is always a championship, and I feel like we just have to win another one, and we will win another one here," he asserted confidently.
In conclusion, Masai Ujiri’s vision for the Toronto Raptors is clear: build a cohesive, talented team capable of competing for championships. With a promising draft ahead and a renewed focus on team culture, the Raptors are poised for an exciting future. Ujiri’s unwavering dedication to winning and his strategic approach to team-building could very well set the stage for another successful chapter in Raptors history.
