Toronto Raptors have named Masai Ujiri's replacement
The Toronto Raptors are promoting from within.
As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Raptors are naming general manager Bobby Webster as the new team’s head of basketball operations, replacing the recently departed Masai Ujiri, who was let go in June.
“The things that are important to me – a deep love for basketball, thoughtful and empowering leadership, and a competitive fire – are the pillars of who I am as a leader. That’s what you’ll see from me every day. This is a new chapter in Raptors basketball, but one thing that will not change is our passion for winning, and our goal to bring another championship to Toronto,” Webster wrote in a statement.
Webster has worked with the Raptors since 2013, being named the general manager in 2017. He will also remain as the team’s GM for the time being. Notably, the new role is simply “head of basketball operations”, rather than the president title Ujiri held.
“It’s been 12 incredible years with the Toronto Raptors,” Ujiri said on a Good Morning America appearance in the wake of his departure. “I am so grateful and thankful for the opportunity. Fans, my family, colleagues, coaches, players, the owners, everybody has been incredible to me. I love you, Toronto. I love you, Toronto. A great part, great journey in my life. It’s time, and great things come to an end.”
Webster had been a leading candidate for the role since the news of Ujiri’s departure was first reported.
“Bobby Webster is really respected around the league,” MLSE CEO Keith Pelley said at a press conference earlier this year. “When you look at not only this year, but previous years, he’s often been the spokesperson for key trades, key moves, free agency deals. So you have a prominent person there right now.”
Pelley echoed those comments in an official statement on Monday.
“Going through this comprehensive process this summer and meeting with external candidates played a critical role in arriving at this decision as it made clear that we already have the right person leading the Raptors in-house. When we weighed the many considerations, including roster construction, team culture and competitive landscape, it made perfect sense to officially hand the team to Bobby and give him the time and support to allow his plan to develop,” Pelley said.
“After spending time together this summer in Las Vegas, I was very impressed by Bobby’s leadership style, his rapport with the players and staff, his reputation with his peers across the league and – especially and importantly – his vision for the Raptors. This team is his, now, to lead and I know we all look forward to what comes next.”
Toronto is looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, having finished 11th in the Eastern Conference this past season. The Raptors finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 30-52, tied for the eighth-worst performance of their 30-year franchise history.
The Raptors will reconvene in Toronto in late September, meeting the media before going on a bit of a cross-country tour. They’ll hold their training camp in Calgary before heading off to Vancouver for a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets.
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