Road to the NBA Finals 2019: Masai Ujiri’s Top 3 Transactions as Raptors GM and President(May 27th, 2019)

Masai Ujiri became the 5th Toronto Raptors general manager back on May 31st, 2013. He signed an extension as team president in 2016 hiring Bobby Webster as general manager. What no one knew then is that Ujiri would also become the Raptors’ best ever executive. Ujiri was named executive of the year in the NBA for his work with the Denver Nuggets back in 2013.

Since his appointment as the man in charge in Toronto, the Raptors have made the playoffs for six consecutive years. There has also been a pile of positive firsts. Under his tutelage, the Raptors have won 50 plus games for the first time in franchise history and have now done that for 4 consecutive seasons. The Raptors who are 1-1 in Eastern Conference finals series, having just dispatched the Milwaukee Bucks, made their first ECF under Ujiri in 2016. They are now also about to embark on a journey that could land the franchise it’s first-ever Larry O’Brien trophy in their first-ever NBA Finals Series.

The Finals’ appearance was made largely possible thanks to Ujiri’s trade landing the Raptors their first-ever superstar in Kawhi Leonard, with no disrespect to DeMar DeRozan or Vince Carter.

With only Kyle Lowry linked to a trade made by Bryan Colangelo before he was let go as the Raptors President, the current Raptors roster in the NBA Finals has truly been crafted by Masai Ujiri. Win or lose versus Golden State in the NBA Finals, Ujiri is likely to win the 2nd Executive of the Year award in his career. We take a moment here to assess three of his best transactions as the man in charge of the Toronto Raptors:

Norman Powell or Fred Vanvleet:

This is a tough choice between these players. One was a second-round pick in 2016 the other was never drafted. Just like the San Antonio Spurs management, Masai Ujiri has been making a habit of finding late first-round picks or undrafted talent. In 2015, Norman Powell was a second-round pick, of the Milwaukee Bucks. He was traded to Toronto and has outlasted his draft year mate and Raptors first-round pick Delon Wright in terms of usefulness.

While he did struggle in 2018 and lost his starting job to 2018 late first-round pick O.G. Anunoby, Powell is once again relevant to the Raptors rotation. He has made a big habit of coming up huge in playoff games. The 2019 ECF against Milwaukee was no exception. Powell had 54 points total off of the bench in the Raptors 4 straight victories over Milwaukee.

As for Fred Vanvleet, he signed as an undrafted player in 2016 with the Raptors and has been a steady backup to Kyle Lowry at the point. In the just-completed ECF, Fred Vanvleet scored 48 points in the last three games against Milwaukee. He was deadly accurate from the 3-point arc shooting 14/17 for 82.3%.

Pascal Siakam:

Masai Ujiri had two first-round draft picks in 2017. At #9, he selected c/f Jacob Poeltl. At #27, Ujiri selected Pascal Siakam. In his rookie season, Siakam started 38 games for Toronto and just 5 In his second season. However, in 2018 he was a huge part of the Raptors dominant bench averaging 7.3ppg.

The 2018-19 season has been a revelation of just how high the ceiling is for Siakam. He won the starting power forward spot out of training camp and has literally been the 2nd or third best player for the Raptors this season. He is highly favored to win the Most Improved Player Award for 2019.

Siakam has been pretty good throughout these 2019 playoffs. Siakam has had 5 double-doubles through the first three rounds of playoffs. Siakam also has been averaging 18.7ppg and 7rpg. Masai Ujiri may have unearthed gold when he drafted Pascal Siakam. Head coach Nick Nurse does not need to run plays for Siakam who is often involved in the games off of his tireless running, ball-handling skills and hustle on the court.

Kawhi Leonard:

​Kawhi Leonard was a surprise 2018 off-season addition to the Raptors that raised many an eyebrow. Masai Ujiri swung for the fence with a deal that removed star scorer and longtime Raptor DeMar DeRozan and Jacob Poeltl and a 2019 1st round draft pick from the roster.

What Ujiri was betting on is what has happened. Leonard has quickly re-established himself to be an elite NBA player after his disastrous 2017-18 season was mostly lost to injury. Along with former San Antonio teammate Danny Green, who was also included in the deal last summer, the two have brought a defensive intensity to the Raptors that is consistent. The pair of former Spurs also bring a winning attitude to the Raptors and Leonard is a former NBA Finals MVP.

Leonard brings an offensive skill set even better than Vince Carter. In these 2019 playoffs, his first as a Raptor, Leonard is averaging 31.2ppg, 8.8rpg, and 3.8apg. While Leonard may not be a Raptor for long due to free agency this summer, Masai Ujiri had a goal to get the Raptors to the NBA Finals where they are now. Win or lose, Leonard gives the Raptors their first and best shot to become the NBA Champions and Masai Ujiri made it all happen.