Masai Ujiri said Wednesday there is “nothing new” to report on his contract status during a press conference that included a poignant moment as the Toronto Raptors president reflected on the team’s players and staff.
“Nothing new. We just finished (the season), so at some point, get with ownership here and sit down and talk,” said Ujiri of his current contract situation, per The Athletic‘s Blake Murphy.
“We’re going to weigh a few of the options and just give this thing some deep thought now as I go through this process.”
Sportsnet‘s Michael Grange reported earlier this week that Ujiri’s contract was slated pre-pandemic to expire on June 30, but there is some flexibility with the entire NBA calendar being pushed back roughly six weeks.
With another difficult season in the books and an important off-season ahead for both Ujiri and the franchise, the Raptors executive also got quite emotional at one point during the 40-minute press conference when asked about the praise he’s been given by players and staff in the days since Toronto’s regular season ended.
“It’s hard for me because these guys are incredible for me. To hear them say that… I honestly sometimes don’t know what to say,” a choked-up Ujiri said after being told Fred VanVleet called him the second-most important Raptor behind Kyle Lowry. “Our players, the coaches, the staff… they’re incredible for me.
“I’ll go to battle every day with those guys. Every single day. I love them like they’re my family.”
And making sure he has the organizational resources to lead his “family” to another championship is among Ujiri’s top priorities.
“This is all about winning a championship again,” said Ujiri.
“Yes, we won. Nobody cares anymore.”
After missing the post-season for the first time since 2013, the Raptors enter the off-season with plenty of question marks as Ujiri’s contract is set to expire, Kyle Lowry is scheduled to become a free agent and there remains uncertainty surrounding when the team can return to Toronto.
