Sources: Masai Ujiri To Return to Toronto Raptors — "A Matter of When, Not If"

Nearly two months into the Toronto Raptors offseason, and fans have been getting pretty antsy about the future of Masai Ujiri as team president. But sources say "it's a matter of when, not if" for the free-agent executive to sign a new deal with the organization.

Masai Ujiri is doing what he always does at this point in the NBA’s annual cycle — working to make his team better. Multiple sources are confident his new deal in Toronto is a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ — but for now his actions will have to speak: https://t.co/RpNKKIz7Hj

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) July 9, 2021

According to Raptors insider Michael Grange, multiple sources expect Ujiri to re-up with the Raptors, and in fact, one player agent told Grange, “He’s working like someone whose team’s problems are his to fix. He’s all in on the draft, he’s looking at free agency,” said one player agent. “He’s coming back.” 

At the NBA Draft Combine, another agent told Grange “He was acting like the president of the Raptors at the combine and on a mission to win another title.” 

These words are music to the ears of every Raptors fan, as Ujiri is widely regarded as one of the top executives in all of professional sports. He is the man, after all, that brought an NBA championship to Toronto, after years of playoff heartbreak.

After winning the title in 2019, and finishing with the 2nd-best record in the NBA in the 2020 season, this year was one that was consumed with countless injuries and a team-wide Covid-outbreak; the Raptors missed the playoffs for the first time in Ujiri's 8-year reign. 

As for when a deal might finally get done already, one source said "It's moving slowly, but it's moving." 

Raptors fans, just remember: breathe in, breathe out. And have faith that with these latest tidbits of positivity, it will get done. 

Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports