The Raptors announced on Monday that they’ve decided not to fill the president role formerly held by Masai Ujiri, with Bobby Webster hanging onto his title of general manager as he takes over as the team’s permanent head of basketball operations. That’s fine with Webster, as Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca relays.
“On the title, what’s the best way to put it? The title, to me, probably isn’t as important as the responsibilities,” Webster said. “I’m really thankful for this opportunity. I’ll make the most of it and that (not getting the president title) is not something that concerns me.”
While Webster seems unfazed by not being named the Raptors’ president, he’s still expected to have a chance to earn a promotion to that position based on how he handles his new responsibilities, Grange adds.
“This is his chance,” a source close to the hiring process told Sportsnet. “Show (us) he’s the president. It’s a process. It’s all about the rebuild, it’s all about the strategy going forward. Can Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes become an incredible duo? How do you manage the tax situation we’re currently in?
“At the end of the day, it will be about Bobby making the right decisions moving forward. He’s (40 years old) and he’s got every quality that you want representing your organization. Now, it comes down to wins and losses, building the reputation of the brand and dealing with the salary cap.”
Here’s more on the Raptors:
- Grange hears from sources that Toronto formally interviewed Pacers president Kevin Pritchard, former Kings general manager Monte McNair, and former Raptors coach Dwane Casey for its president role, while Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports that Pacers GM Chad Buchanan and Bulls GM Marc Eversley also interviewed for the job. Pritchard was believed to be the candidate that intrigued the Raptors the most, but “prying him away from the Pacers proved difficult,” Grange writes.
- While Webster believes the roster the Raptors have put together is ready to “make the next step” in 2025/26, there’s skepticism around the NBA about some of the moves the team has made in recent years. According to Grange, one Eastern Conference executive questioned the team’s investments in Immanuel Quickley (five years, $162.5MM), Ingram (three years, $120MM), and Jakob Poeltl (three years, $84MM): “I know sometimes you have to pay a premium for players in Canada, but that much?” Another rival executive, per Grange, suggested there’s an excess of wings on the roster and a lack of depth at point guard and center. “They have a lot of nice pieces,” that executive said. “It’s just not clear how they all fit.”
- Some of the executives who interviewed for the Raptors’ president job were among those questioning the club’s recent personnel decisions, according to Lewenberg, who says one of those external candidates referred to the Ingram trade as a “desperate Hail Mary.”
- Eric Koreen of The Athletic previews what the Raptors’ rotation might look like this fall, projecting Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jamal Shead, and Collin Murray-Boyles to be the top options off the bench behind a starting lineup of Barnes, Ingram, Quickley, Poeltl, and RJ Barrett.
This team is in horrible shape
They may have overpaid for Quickley and Poeltl, but this team is better than many people think. They’re not championship contenders, but they have 4–6 seed potential. Barrett was forced into a creator role last season, and the progress he showed looks real. I think Ingram still has another All-Star campaign in him, Quickley can space the floor and attack off the dribble, Barnes is a matchup nightmare, and Poeltl impacts the game in ways that don’t always show up in the box score. The bench is a bit thin, but Dick and Agbaji still have room to grow, and both Walter and Murray-Boyles bring intriguing upside.
Not sure I agree with Eric Koreen’s projected rotation. Sandro is a good addition for some short spurts on offense, but the Raptors have shown they want to give Mogbo minutes, and he’s far and away a better defender and passer than Sandro. They look like they’re going to give Walter a good run as well, but Koreen has him on the outside looking in.
I agree they overpaid for IQ and Jacob. I do like this team but I think they need to make a couple moves. I see IQ as a really good 6th man backup guard, Ingram and Barnes are both SF’s really, neither should be playing PF. They have a really good young team.
Edit I just looked and IQ is way overpaid. OMG
Trade IQ and Ingram for a veteran PG starter (30+), a PF starter.
Waive their two way guys and sign a young C and PG prospects
Ujiri began to be believe he was smarter than everyone else and has left the Raptors worse off. He picks Murray-Boyles (maybe)over Khaman Maluach (upside) and settles for Sandro (hit a ceiling). Overpays for maybes and troubled guys like Ingram. But he is wiser than everyone else.
The Raptors have a bunch of versatile players who will figure out their game plan. It’s not that big a deal. If things aren’t working they can make some trades with some intriguing pieces to work with.