A timeline of Masai Ujiri's more than decade-long run with the Toronto Raptors
Masai Ujiri's exit on Friday as vice-chairman and president of the Toronto Raptors marked the end of a more than decade-long run that delivered the franchise's first NBA title.
Here's a look at some of key moments from Ujiri's time with the Raptors:
May 31, 2013: Ujiri hired as executive vice president and general manager of the Raptors, replacing Bryan Colangelo.
July 10, 2013: Trades Andrea Bargnani to the New York Knicks for Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, Quentin Richardson (via a sign-and-trade), a first-round pick in 2016 and second-round selections in 2014 and 2017.
Dec. 9, 2013: Trades Rudy Gay, Aaron Gray and forward Quincy Acy head to the Sacramento Kings for John Salmons Greivis Vasquez, Patrick Patterson and centre Chuck Hayes.
March 28, 2014: Despite entering the season with an eye on rebuilding, the Raptors clinch their first playoff berth in six years with a 105-103 win over Boston.
April 19, 2014: At a fan rally before Game 1 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets, Ujiri shouts, 'F— Brooklyn!' to the crowd from the stage. Ujiri apologizes during halftime of Game 1, stating: 'Wrong choice of words out there. … I apologize to kids out there and to the Brooklyn guys.' Ujiri is later US$25,000 by the NBA. Toronto goes in to lose the series in seven games.
June 26, 2015: Trades Vasquez to the Milwaukee Bucks for a 2017 first-round pick (via the Los Angeles Clippers) and the 46th pick (Norman Powell).
June 23, 2016: Selects centre Jakob Poeltl with the No. 9 pick and forward Pascal Siakam at No. 27 in the first round of the NBA draft.
Feb. 14, 2017: Trades Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick to the Orlando Magic for forward Serge Ibaka.
May 11, 2018: Fires head coach Dwane Casey, who was later named NBA Coach of the Year for 2017-18 after Raptors finished the regular season 59-23 but were swept in the second round by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second straight year.
June 12, 2018: Promotes assistant coach Nick Nurse to the head coaching position.
July 18, 2018: Trades longtime fan favourite and all-star, DeMar DeRozan, along with Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs for two-time Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP winner Kawhi Leonard and sharpshooter Danny Green.
Feb. 7, 2019: Trades Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles and a 2024 second-round draft pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for centre Marc Gasol.
June 13, 2019: Raptors defeat the Golden State Warriors 114-110 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to win the franchise's first championship. Shortly after the win, Ujiri is involved in an altercation with Alameda County sheriff's deputy Alan Strickland while trying to reach the court. Video later emerges showing the altercation, which was followed by Kyle Lowry pulling Ujiri on to the court and then hugging the Raptors executive. Strickland attempts to sue Ujiri claiming the Toronto GM had injured him, with Ujiri filing a countersuit, but it is eventually dropped as video showed Strickland shoved Ujiri twice before Ujiri pushed back after being told he didn't have the authority to be on the court.
July 29, 2021: Raptors select Scottie Barnes fourth overall at the NBA draft. He goes on to win rookie of the year honours for the 2021-22 season.
Aug. 6, 2021: Raptors finalize sign-and-trade to send Lowry to Miami Heat in exchange for Goran Dragić and Precious Achiuwa.
Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
April 21, 2023: Raptors fire Nurse after 41-41 season that saw them lose in the play-in tournament to miss the playoffs for the second time in three years.
June 13, 2023: Raptors hire former Memphis assistant Darko Rajakovic as head coach.
Dec. 31, 2023: Trades defensive stalwart O.G. Anunoby, along with Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to New York for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick (via Detroit).
Jan. 19, 2024: Trades all-star forward Siakam with future second-round pick to Indiana Pacers for Bruce Brown, Kira Lewis, Jordan Nwora, two 2024 first-round picks and a conditional 2026 first-round pick.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
A timeline of Masai Ujiri's more than decade-long run with the Toronto Raptors
Masai Ujiri is departing after a more than a decade-long career as the president of the Toronto Raptors. Arda Zakarian has more on his legacy.
Ottawa Citizen
2 hours ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Canada's NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander checks in as bull of the week
Bulls of the week Article content It's been quite the week for the US$1.4 billion Florida Panthers of the NHL and the US$3.65 billion Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA; the respective Stanley Cup and Larry O'Brien Trophy winners as champions of pro hockey and pro basketball after the two leagues went shoulder-to-shoulder for 10 weeks of playoffs. Article content Article content Yet no one has had a bigger week — or a bigger year — than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Hamilton. He's NBA MVP, NBA scoring leader, NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP. He's one of only four NBA stars to have ever accomplished that feat. Article content Article content And he's certainly the first Canadian to pull off two or more of those milestones and he's done it in a year that will go down as one of the most dominant and consistent in NBA history. Article content Article content Most impressive of all, he's done it as the smiling leader of his Thunder, a thoughtful and articulate spokesman for the game and as a poster child for sportsmanship. Article content He's the bull of the week because, at age 26, he's only getting started on a journey that is on a trajectory to make him one of the most influential athletes in all of pro sport. Article content The downside to such shoulder-to-shoulder playoffs in the NHL and the NBA is the stark withdrawal symptoms experienced by fans when both leagues end their post-season showcases within a week of each other. Article content We go from game action almost every night — with two best-of-seven series going six and seven games in the case of this year — to a glut in the prime-time TV landscape. Article content Article content It's a shock to the systems of fans, broadcasters, sports-talk radio hosts, sports anchors and industry stakeholders ranging from merchandisers and licensees to sports bars and betting houses. Article content Article content On that note, in terms of sheer TV content and audience reach, the power of fantasy and football wagering makes for one heck of a hangover the day after the Super Bowl. Article content And yes, it's hard to describe the impact of a pause on a US$20 million business and its related industries in the hours after more than 120 million people have watched the big game. Article content Yet in terms of scope of membership — in this case making up the community of 62 sport franchises in the NHL and the NBA — there's no greater drop off in volume of game action than this week.
Toronto Sun
2 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
MASAI UJIRI EXITS RAPTORS: ‘Change is never easy'
MLSE President and CEO, Keith Pelley addresses media at the Scotiabank Arena following the departure of Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri in Toronto, Ont. on Friday June 27, 2025. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia WATCH: MLSE President and CEO, Keith Pelley addresses media a following the departure of Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri. What do YOU think? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below or send us a Letter to the Editor for possible publication to . Letters must be 250 words or less and signed. And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Canada Music Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Raptors Toronto Raptors
