Masai Ujiri Weighs In On Upcoming NBA Draft & Toronto’s Rebuild

The Toronto Raptors are coming off a disappointing 2023-24 season.

The team went 25-57, their fifth-worst record in franchise history and their worst record since 2010-11 (22-60).

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri  addressed the media on April 17 in his end-of-season press conference.

First, Ujiri talked about the upcoming draft via TSN’s Josh Lewenberg:

“Any way it goes we’ll be grateful, we’ll be happy. If we’re not in the top 6 we get our pick next year. If we are in the top 6 we’ll go out and find the best guy or find the best transaction.”

The Raptors finished with the sixth-worst record in the NBA. Therefore, the team will have a 45.8 percent chance of keeping their first-round pick. If they keep their pick, they will owe their 2025 first-round pick (top-6 protected) to the San Antonio Spurs next season.

One of the biggest narratives going into this year’s 2024 NBA Draft is that it is considered a weaker draft class. Ujiri gave shares his thoughts on this via Lewenberg:

“Players are found everywhere. I guarantee you there’s going to be 2 or 3 all-stars to come out of this draft. It happens every year. It’s on us to find (those guys).. We have to do our jobs & it’s on us.”

The Raptors are in the midsts of their rebuild. In order for them to get back to where they want to be they need to be patient. Ujiri preached patience but also said he doesn’t wait to wait too long for the Raptors to be back where they need to be via Lewenberg:

“I’m patient but I’m not trying to wait 6 years, to be honest. We’re hoping. You hope with these things that you make the right decisions, that we pick the right players. We’re going to be patient but I’m glad that we’re starting off with (Scottie Barnes). Sometimes rebuilds can take 3-6 years. Sometimes teams act before. We’re going to see how this process goes and use our instincts. But patience is going to be a big thing with this team.”

It is going to be a very important offseason for the Raptors as they continue their rebuild and aim to turn things around soon.

Jontay Porter banned for life from NBA after betting investigation

The Raptors offseason has not gotten off to a good start. Center Jontay Porter has been banned from life form the NBA following a betting investigation.

Porter was banned from the NBA on April 17 following an investigation into prop-betting irregularities.