Toronto Raptors: Ranking the Top GMs in Franchise History

With the superb job being done by the Toronto Raptors’ current general manager Masai Ujiri, and the recent (and expected to continue) success of the franchise in general, the team seems to be in good hands these days.

As we approach the 20th anniversary of the franchise, let’s take a look at the different eras of Toronto Raptors basketball. We’ll examine, and rank them, not only according to on-court success, but the growth of the organization as a whole, during the tenure of each of the Raptors’ main GMs.

1) Isiah Thomas

As the GM of the expansion Toronto Raptors, it was Thomas who arguably had the most impactful tenure for the team.

Mar 28, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Former Detroit Pistons player and former general manager of the Toronto Raptors Isiah Thomas addresses the crowd during a half-time celebration for the 1989 NBA championship team at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The selection of point guard Damon Stoudamire caused immediate booing from the fans gathered to watch the team’s first entry draft. This has to be considered the first sign of the following that the team would go on to accumulate.

With the immediate personal success of Stoudamire, Thomas validated his belief in point guard-led teams (much of which came, obviously, from his own experience), but the team ultimately failed to find any success during his tenure, which ended quickly due to the rapidly transitioning circumstances amongst the ownership group, of which he was part of during his time as GM.

Nevertheless, if the Raptors had missed on their first selection, like the Vancouver Grizzlies did with Bryant “Big Country” Reeves, the likelihood of the Toronto Raptors following the Grizzlies down south would have been a serious possibility. Had this happened, nothing else on this list could have taken place.

2) Glen Grunwald

After Thomas’ departure, Grunwald was brought on to steer the course for the franchise. Stoudamire requested, and received, a trade. Grunwald continued dealing, making the Raptors the youngest team in the league by the end of his first season. It was his first draft in which Grunwald truly made his mark, both on the franchise and the country itself. This was the draft day trade of Antawn Jamison for Vince Carter. With a true superstar in the mix, along with a new stable of veteran leadership, the team flourished.

The first playoff team in franchise history, along with the only series victory, happened during Grunwald’s tenure as the Toronto Raptors’ GM. Grunwald also was responsible for the trade in which Tracy McGrady was shipped to the Orlando Magic in a sign-and-trade deal – a deal in which the team could only lose.