A massive piece from its 2018-19 NBA Championship season is gone.
The Toronto Raptors had Nick Nurse, Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, and Fred VanVleet on that team; however, they are all with different programs. Masai Ujiri, who served as Vice Chairman and President of the Raptors since 2013, has exited too.
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ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the news Friday as the 54-year-old is out. Ujiri, a Nigerian, Kenyan, Canadian, and British descent, spent his entire professional playing career in Europe. After being an international scout for the Denver Nuggets and Director of Global Scouting for the Raptors, Toronto hired Ujiri to be its general manager in 2008.
Ujiri worked his way into becoming the Raptors’ executive vice president and general manager in 2013 — signing a five-year, $15 million contract.
BREAKING: Masai Ujiri is out as Vice Chairman and President of the Toronto Raptors, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/JIXUMUXz55
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2025
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Masai Ujiri have decided to part ways, as Ujiri was entering the final year of his contract, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/PtCKLdJvxC
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2025
He guided Toronto to the Eastern Conference playoffs in seven consecutive seasons.
After it missed the postseason in 2020-21, Ujiri had the Raptors back in it for 2021-22.
He has been a major part of its success, and it will be interesting to see who takes over for him.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
