Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: Four takeaways from Masai Ujiri’s season ending press conference

By Chris Okrainetz

May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri (right) gestures as he speaks with media during pre-game shoot around before the Raptors host Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri (right) gestures as he speaks with media during pre-game shoot around before the Raptors host Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Toronto Raptors
May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey watches the action during the third quarter in the second round of game four of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Dwane Casey is on the hot seat

Before Ujiri addresses the Raptors’ roster this offseason, he must first decide on the future of his head coach, Dwane Casey.

Based on everything Ujiri said during his presser, I would say Casey’s job is safe for now, but he is without question on the hot seat. Despite having two more years and roughly $12 million left on his contract, Casey needs to revamp this team in a hurry or it sounds like the team has no problems paying him out.

While a lot of fans have been critical of Casey, myself included, Ujiri did say during his presser that him and Casey have talked about changing the way the Raptors play, altering their philosophy and much more. So unless those conversations happened during the season, I think it’s safe to assume Casey will be here to start next season.

However, should there be a falling out during the team’s “evaluation process” or free agency, I could easily see the team parting ways with Casey. Considering what Ujiri and Casey have accomplished in Toronto, though, this scenario seems farfetched.

Ultimately, Casey’s job security is tied to how well he can alter this team’s philosophy and whether he can help them transition into a more modern NBA team.

Home/Toronto Raptors