In a stunning development just a day after the 2025 NBA Draft, longtime Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri is stepping down as Vice Chairman and President of Basketball Operations, according to multiple reports. The move marks the end of an era for the franchise, and the departure of one of the most respected front-office figures in modern NBA history.
Ujiri, 54, had been with the Raptors since 2013, initially joining as general manager before being promoted to president in 2016. His exit comes as the team continues to struggle on the court, finishing the 2024–25 season with a 30–52 record and missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
While no official reason has been given, Ujiri was entering the final year of his contract, and sources suggest the decision to part ways was mutual between him and ownership group Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.
BREAKING: Masai Ujiri is out as Vice Chairman and President of the Toronto Raptors, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/JIXUMUXz55
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2025
Ujiri’s tenure will be remembered most for the bold 2018 trade that brought Kawhi Leonard to Toronto in exchange for franchise cornerstone DeMar DeRozan. The gamble paid off immediately, as the Raptors captured their first-ever NBA championship in 2019.
Under his leadership, the Raptors became a perennial playoff team, winning 50 or more games in multiple seasons and establishing a culture of development and international scouting excellence.
Born in England to Nigerian and Kenyan parents and later becoming a naturalized Canadian citizen, Ujiri was the first African-born general manager in North American sports. He also founded Giants of Africa, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through basketball across the continent.
His influence extended far beyond the court, making him one of the most admired and globally recognized executives in the league.
Ujiri’s next move remains unclear, but he has long been a coveted figure in NBA circles. Teams like the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks have previously pursued him with lucrative offers, and his name is sure to surface in future front-office searches.
As for the Raptors, the organization now faces the daunting task of replacing a visionary leader who helped shape its identity for over a decade.
