See, now this is why I don’t think it is inconceivable that the Raptors might actually let Masai Ujiri leave if he wanted to join the Knicks as the Glen Sather of the Knicks (the competent guy that Dolan trusts enough to run his sports organization). Ujiri was pushed out of Denver in one of those embarrassing power plays where the owner’s kid didn’t want to give Ujiri a big raise and total control like Toronto was offering Ujiri, but Ujiri had built up such a strong organization below him that when Tim Connelly was brought in to replace Ujiri, he was able to step in and make the transition a smooth one. The impact of guys like Ujiri go far beyond their skills as executives, it is also about building a foundation where you hire other talented people to work under you and allow for smooth transitions when the man on the top changes (Connelly, of course, should be credited, as well. Note that the guy Connelly brought in with him as his assistant GM, Art?ras Karnišovas, was so respected that they ultimately decided to promote Connelly to president so that Karnišovas could become GM).
By all accounts, Ujiri has turned Toronto’s structure around so well that one of his subordinates would likely do a fine job in Ujiri’s absence.
Long story short, competent organizations make me sad when I see Steve Mills fail his way to practically unfettered control over this piece of shit organization.
Let’s go! Knicks?