The Wizards will attempt to poach Masai Ujiri from the Raptors to become their head of basketball operations and may be willing to pay upwards of $10MM annually to pry him from Toronto, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com reports. The Athletic’s Fred Katz and David Aldridge (Twitter link) hear from sources that the offer could be in the six-year, $60MM range.
Wizards owner Ted Leonsis is expected to reach out to Toronto’s ownership group to request formal permission to speak with Ujiri, Woj writes.
In addition to the massive financial package, Washington may offer Ujiri a lead role in Monumental Sports and Entertainment, the company that oversees the Wizards and the NHL’s Capitals.
The Wizards’ search for a top basketball executive has been on hold since the franchise was unable to come to terms with Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly. The team also interviewed Danny Ferry and Troy Weaver for the position, but interim GM Tommy Sheppard has been running the show since Ernie Grunfeld was let go.
After overseeing a perennial 50-win team in Denver, Ujiri moved on to Toronto in 2013, where he played a significant role in building this season’s championship roster. Ujiri made major moves for Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and Marc Gasol, while also acquiring under-the-radar contributors like Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet.
You know Ted, I’ve always been a fan of the Wizards, and of the steady hand at the rudder. Let’s do lunch and talk about this empty position you have.
MLSE, step up and keep this man!!!
Bryan Coleangelo.
Washington has a fever…and the only prescription is more COLLAR!
Absolutely terrible! Hope both those guys full and speedy recoveries! Not a fan of the warriors and was hoping one or both of them left the team but this isn’t even about teams or money this is about a persons livelihood. Really feel bad for both of them
and somewhere Linda Rambis is telling Jeannie Buss that they dont need to bring in a guy like this to run their Basketball Ops dept, yet the Wizards will pay $10MM per.
The Wizards are just doing this so when Masai stays, they can claim they tried. Ted Leonsis doesn’t care about the Wizards
Sorry Ted, but not even Masai can trade that albatross John Wall contract.
So, if I’m the raptors I very politely say “no” when Leonsis calls.
I believe they can’t refuse if Wizards are offering a higher position than what Ujiri has with the Raptors. unless Raptors elevate him from GM to President of Basketball Ops
They absolutely can refuse. And furthermore, if they wanted to pursue to get him out of his contract, they’ll have to give up assets, like draft picks or players.
Heck, the Knicks gave up a second round pick for Scott Perry. I’d have asked for a second round pick from Sacramento for doing them the favor…
I don’t think teams refuse interviews for higher positions
Masai is the Pres of Basketball Ops