Toronto Raptors: Little chance of Masai Ujiri leaving for the Knicks

By Paul Taylor | Jun 28, 2017

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 /

Despite reported interest from the Knicks, it’s difficult to imagine Masai Ujiri parting company with the Toronto Raptors, to go to New York.

Last April, we shared a report from Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, who claimed Knicks’ owner James Dolan was interested the Toronto Raptors‘ Masai Ujiri as a potential replacement for Phil Jackson. At the time, Jackson was still in his position as president of the Knicks, but we did state that we believed this wouldn’t be the end of this particular speculation.

Fast forward to today, with Sports Illustrated reporting that Jackson has now officially parted company with the Knicks, after his refusal to evolve forced their hand. And right on cue, shortly after, the rumor linking Ujiri to New York have resurfaced.

More specifically, the rumor has been restarted by The Vertical‘s Adrian Wojnarowski. Quoting league sources, Wojnarowski writes that Dolan is targeting the Raptors’ president, to take up a similar position in New York.

Assuming this report is true, it is hardly a surprise that Dolan and the Knicks would be interested in Ujiri. Named NBA Executive of the Year in 2013 for his work with the Denver Nuggets, he has been a revelation since coming to Toronto.

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In fact, the 46-year old has helped lead the Raptors to unprecedented levels of success during his run as general manager and now president. This includes setting team records for regular season wins and winning three division titles, while also making four straight playoff trips and proceeding to a first ever appearance in the Eastern Conference finals.

With how things have gone in Toronto, why would Ujiri even want to go and join the circus in New York? The Knicks are often perceived as a prime NBA location, but the reality is they have rarely lived up to their mostly undeserved reputation.

Of course, even if the Zaria, Nigeria did want to leave, can you really see the Raptors agreeing to let him go, especially to a divisional rival? In addition, just last year the organization gave him a multi-year extension on a contract which already had two years remaining.

In the interest of being objective/playing Devil’s advocate, you could point to the news that former Raptors’ executive Tim Leiweke will be serving as an adviser to the Knicks, with Jackson now gone. It was Leiweke who first brought Ujiri to Toronto and the two men have a decent relationship.

Ultimately though, it is still tough to imagine Ujiri ending up in New York. However, you can never say never in the world of professional sports, so once again, we don’t expect this to be the last we hear on this link, regardless of how unlikely it is to come to fruition.

Next: Kyle Lowry has lost all negotiation leverage

What do you make of the Knicks’ apparent interest in Ujiri? Is there any reason to be concerned, or are you confident he will remain in his position as Raptors’ president? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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