May 9, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri during the press conference naming him NBA executive of the year at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Denver Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri is prepared to meet with the Raptors about taking over Toronto’s front office.
“Unless Denver responds soon with a market-value contract extension to keep its general manager Ujiri is prepared to leave Denver for the chance to rebuild the Raptors organization,” Wojnarowski writes. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the group that owns the Raptors, is prepared to offer Ujiri nearl $3 million yearly.
Ujiri worked in the front office as the assistant general manager until he was hired as Denver’s general manager in 2010. His prior experience with the ball club may give him more inclinations to leave, especially considering the major pay raise.
Denver has long been reluctant to pay top dollar to front office positions and it’s unclear now whether Nuggets president Josh Kroenke will match or up Toronto’s lucrative offer. Ujiri’s contract with Denver is set to expire on June 30.
Ujiri was voted as the league’s Executive of the Year and has become one of the elite general managers in the league since joining Denver in 2010. He flawlessly handled the Carmelo Anthony saga and constructed a roster that won 57 games in the regular season.
For Denver, retaining Ujiri for the long haul must be a top priority.
***
Thanks for reading and follow me on Twitter @lashy.