“I feel like something was taken away from me when we won the title. My goal is to win another one here. I am 100% focused on this. » Masai Ujiri climbed Everest with the Raptors in 2019, with a historic and memorable title, but the fall was tough.
In a few months, Kawhi Leonard left for the Clippers, the pandemic slowed down the franchise, which was exiled far from Toronto and Canada, before the departures of Nick Nurse and Fred VanVleet last summer. This season again, there has been change with exchanges – Pascal Siakam is no longer there – and above all only 25 victories.
A three to six year process?
This exercise was difficult, even more so than that of 2022/23, but the president of the Raptors is not as severe as in April 2023, when he did not spare his criticism of his group.
“Experiencing such a season is complicated for everyone, but we see the bright side of things,” assures the manager. “Sport has cycles and our franchise will go through several, which will be different. For now, we have to take the positive things and build on them to move forward. »
The message is clear: after successful years with DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry then Kawhi Leonard, where the playoffs were there every year (2014-2020), then much more difficult seasons afterwards, the Raptors have now just entered under reconstruction for several months. For how long ?
“Sometimes reconstructions can take between three and six years. Sometimes it goes faster, replies Masai Ujiri. “We will see how this process goes, we will use our instinct. But patience will be required with this team. »
Finding the right elements around Scottie Barnes
All this will be done around a Darko Rajakovic – Scottie Barnes duo. “We gave him bad cards and it’s our fault. But apart from the results, I think Darko did an incredible job”specifies the president of the franchise regarding the first season of his new coach.
“I want our fans to know how difficult it is to have players like Scottie. We are happy to be able to start from scratch with Scottie on our side,” he continues. “Finding Scottie Barnes is hard and we’re lucky to have a very good young player to build around. »
To surround it as best as possible, it will also be necessary to make successful moves on the market. Which hasn't been the Raptors' strong suit lately. The example of Dennis Schroder, recruited then transferred in a few months, proves this perfectly. “Over the last two years, we have not been good at evaluating free agents. We must do better in this area, 100%, to find players”admits Masai Ujiri in conclusion.
