RealGM Basketball Wiretap

Raptors Request Permission To Interview Kevin Pritchard

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:34:28 EDT

The Toronto Raptors have requested permission to interview Kevin Pritchard for their general manager opening, according to sources.

The Indiana Pacers do not want to allow interviews until the season ends. They are currently down 1-0 to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

One of the possibilities that the Raptors have identified is teaming Pritchard with Oklahoma City assistant GM Troy Weaver.

Raptors Meet With Masai Ujiri About GM Job

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:22:37 EDT

The Toronto Raptors met with Masai Ujiri on Friday after the general manager received permission from the Denver Nuggets to interview, according to sources.

Tim Leiweke is aggressively pursuing Ujiri to become the Raptors' general manager and plans to present an offer that will pay him nearly $3 million annually over the course of a multi-year contract.

Ujiri's contract with the Nuggets expires on June 30 and it's possible an agreement can be struck that will allow him to leave sooner.

Kroenke Believes Ujiri Had Reached New Deal With Nuggets

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:45:25 EDT

Masai Ujiri has reportedly inched closer to becoming the Toronto Raptors' new general manager, but Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke believes he and Ujiri had reached a new contract prior to the interview process with the Raptors.

"In my mind," Kroenke said, "we had an agreement but it doesn't matter because I would never hold someone back from an opportunity they might be curious about. Especially someone I hold in such high regard as Masai."

After speaking with Ujiri, Kroenke decided it was best for both sides to allow the former Raptors official to interview with his old team.

"I have understood all along the relationships that Masai has in Toronto, and I respect those immensely," Kroenke said in a phone interview. "So when Toronto inquired about him recently, I knew that it was going to be a tough situation for everyone strictly because of the relationships involved."

Masai Ujiri Moving Toward Deal With Raptors

Fri, 24 May 2013 23:08:07 EDT

Masai Ujiri is in serious negotiations with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to become the next general manager of the Toronto Raptors.

Ujiri will take the next couple days to fully consider the move, but signs are currently pointing to him taking the position with the Raptors.

The Denver Nuggets do not intend to make an aggressive counter to the Raptors' multi-million dollar offer.

Denver ownership "seems to be moving on," one league source familiar with the talks told Y! Sports.

The Raptors are believed to be offering double or even triple the best deal Ujiri has received from the Nuggets.

Raptors Willing To Offer Masai Ujiri $2M Per Season

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:26:35 EDT

Masai Ujiri has been identified as the Toronto Raptors' top target to replace Bryan Colangelo as general manager.

The Raptors could offer Ujiri a salary in excess of $2 million to leave the Denver Nuggets.

Ujiri is reportedly earning approximately $500,000 in the final season of his contract with the Nuggets. The Nuggets, however, are confident that they will be able to retain Ujiri.

Colangelo's Tenure As Raptors' GM Over, Will Represent Club At Lottery

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:34:58 EDT

The Toronto Raptors will announce on Tuesday that Bryan Colangelo's tenure as chief decision-maker of basketball operations is over, but sources say he will remain with the franchise in a corporate role.

Colangelo has always been viewed as loyal to the organization and it appears as though new MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke and ownership will honor that.

Colangelo will coincidentally represent the Raptors at the lottery on Tuesday.

MLSE has hired a search firm to narrow a list of candidates, though Ed Stefanski will likely guide the front office until a new GM is hired.

Colangelo To Remain With Raptors In 'Corporate' Role, Still Pursuing New GM

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:25:06 EDT

MLSE has been in negotiations with Bryan Colangelo for him to return to the Toronto Raptors in a "significant" capacity, according to sources.

But the Raptors also remain in full pursuit of Masai Ujiri to assume full control of basketball operations.

MLSE faces a Monday deadline to make a decision on their option on Colangelo's contract for next season.

Sources tell Doug Smith of the Toronto Star that Colangelo will remain with the Raptors in a "corporate", non-basketball role.

Gani Lawal Intrigues NBA Teams After Breakout Season In Italy

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:15:10 EDT

After a breakout season in Europe, Gani Lawal has intrigued NBA teams and could receive consideration for a contract, league sources told RealGM.

Lawal has already scheduled workouts – private and as part of mini-camps – with the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, sources said. Four to five other teams have discussed bringing him in to work out, too.

Lawal, the 6-foot-9 athletic, scrappy forward, had his best professional season with Italy’s Virtus Roma, averaging 13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Virtus Roma has gone 20-10 this season and ranks third in the league standings.

Since leaving the Phoenix Suns organization that drafted him in the second round in 2010, Lawal, 24, has lost weight and added strength. Lawal played one game with the Suns two seasons ago and was in the San Antonio Spurs’ training camp in 2011, but he was derailed by injuries and didn’t figure into a long-term plan. He was drafted after three years at Georgia Tech.

Raptors Target Masai Ujiri As Top GM Candidate

Sat, 18 May 2013 11:05:13 EDT

The Toronto Raptors are pursuing Masai Ujiri to become the team's top basketball executive, according to sources.

Ujiri was named the 2013 NBA Executive of the Year for his work as general manager of the Nuggets.

Ujiri's contract with the Nuggets expires this summer and he has been in discussions on an extension.

Korn/Ferry International, the search firm hired by MLSE to search for a new GM for the Raptors, has identified Ujiri as its top candidate.

MLSE has until Monday to make a decision on whether to retain Bryan Colangelo, who could stay with the franchise under a new decision-maker.

Ujiri worked for three years with the Raptors under Colangelo before becoming GM of the Nuggets.

MLSE Hires Firm To Search For New Raptors' GM, No Decision Yet On Colangelo

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:30:00 EDT

MLSE, owner of the Toronto Raptors, have hired a firm to search for a possible replacement for Bryan Colangelo.

The Raptors have until Monday to make a decision on whether to pick up their option on Colangelo's contract for the 13-14 season.

Kevin Pritchard and Troy Weaver are two names being mentioned as candidates to replace Colangelo, should the Raptors make a move.

Tim Leiweke became CEO of MLSE last month and will have final say on the Raptors' general manager position.

Lillard, Davis, Beal, Waiters, Barnes On 2013 All-Rookie First Team

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:39:00 EDT

Damian Lillard headlines the 2013 NBA All-Rookie Team as a unanimous selection.

Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, Dion Waiters and Harrison Barnes joined Lillard on the All-Rookie First Team.

On the All-Rookie Second Team is Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kyle Singler and Tyler Zeller.

Raptors Request Permission To Interview Tyonn Lue For Assistant Job

Sun, 12 May 2013 20:14:16 EDT

The Toronto Raptors have requested permission to interview Tyronn Lue for a position on Dwane Casey's coaching staff.

Lue has been an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics since 2009.

Future Of Colangelo, Casey With Raptors In Doubt With Leiweke Hire

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:02:50 EDT

Tim Leiweke doesn't officially begin his tenure as president of the Toronto Raptors until June 30, but he will have influence over the MLSE board's decision on whether to pick up Bryan Colangelo's contract option for the 13-14 NBA season at a mid-May meeting.

It had been assumed that the Raptors would give Colangelo and Dwane Casey one more season to produce better results, but the situation has presumably changed due to the presence of Leiweke.

Phil Jackson is one candidate to take over the Raptors' front office.

Phil Jackson Ready To Listen To Raptors' Opportunity

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:56:51 EDT

Phil Jackson is prepared to listen to a pitch from the Toronto Raptors about taking a lead role in their basketball operations, but a source says that he wants to listen to options from other teams as well.

Jackson would prefer an advisory role similar to Jerry West's current position with the Golden State Warriors rather than a more active role similar to Pat Riley with the Miami Heat.

Multiple sources doubt whether Jackson would be satisfied by a position with the Raptors. A similar position with the Charlotte Bobcats was not initially appealing to Jackson.

Jackson would seek a situation where he can hire a head coach that would implement his vision.

Speculation that Jackson could end up with the Raptors increased with the hiring of Tim Leiweke, former CEO of AEG.

"He's very well-connected in the league and he has to rebuild that franchise," a league source said of Leiweke. "... He's about championships. They didn't just bring him in there to mind the house."

Sources told ESPN that the Raptors perceived the Seattle-based ownership group that has been attempting to purchase the Kings as the Raptors' biggest threat for Jackson.

Tim Leiweke Named President Of MLSE

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:41:38 EDT

Tim Leiweke has been named president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

MLSE owns the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Leiweke was previously president of AEG, which runs Staples Center amongst many other venues.

ESPN's Marc Stein reports that he heard rumors of the Raptors having interest in hiring Phil Jackson as team president. Leiweke and Jackson are familiar with one another from their time in Los Angeles over the past decade.

Raptors Would Likely Need To Include Asset To Trade Bargnani

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:04:41 EDT

Andrea Bargnani has $22.5 million remaining on his contract and sources say the Toronto Raptors would likely have to include an asset in order to trade him.

The Raptors pursued a trade of Bargnani throughout the season, something Bryan Colangelo even admitted.

Bargnani signed a $50 million extension with the Raptors in July of 2009.

Sources: Raptors Likely To Keep Bryan Colangelo

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:59:45 EDT

Bryan Colangelo does not have a contract for the 13-14 NBA season, but sources say the MLSE board is unlikely to consider a regime change.

Colangelo had instant success with the Toronto Raptors and won Executive of the Year in 2007, but the team hasn't been back to the playoffs since 2008.

Colangelo and the Raptors were unable to successfully build around Chris Bosh and haven't been bad enough since his departure to draft a franchise player as a replacement.

The Raptors improved their winning percentage from .348 in 11-12 to .415 this season, adding Rudy Gay, Jonas Valanciunas and Kyle Lowry to their roster over the past 12 months.

Raptors Discovered Vision Issue With Rudy Gay

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:58:45 EDT

The Toronto Raptors discovered that Rudy Gay has vision issues that need correction.

Gay wore goggles in practices during the season, but couldn't find a pair that were comfortable enough for him to wear in games.

Raptors Want To Add Perimeter Shooting, Veterans In Offseason

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:44:30 EDT

Bryan Colangelo addressed the media on Monday following the fifth consecutive season in which the Toronto Raptors missed the playoffs.

"I believe where we are is a much greater place, a much more developed team much further down the path then a number of people in the media seem to think," said Colangelo. "And that's not to be defensive or take offense to to what's being said, but we are pretty much exactly where I thought we would be with respect to the roster make-up. Maybe not from a wins/loss perspective but when you talk about this process, I believe three years ago year one we won 28 percent of our games. Year two it was 35 percent and this year we won 42 percent. The next step is obviously to get to the point where you exceed 50 percent and guarantee yourself a playoff spot."

Colangelo wants the Raptors to add perimeter shooting and veterans to the roster in the offseason.

Raptors 'Quickly Rebuffed' Valanciunas For Harden Trade Inquiry From Thunder

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:53:05 EDT

The Oklahoma City Thunder spoke to the Toronto Raptors about a trade centered on James Harden for Jonas Valanciunas.

The Raptors 'quickly rebuffed' the interest from Sam Presti in the trade.

The Thunder eventually traded Harden to the Rockets while also acquiring the Raptors' lottery guaranteed pick.

Valanciunas averaged 8.9 points and 6.0 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game during his rookie season.

Casey Supports Colangelo Remaining With Raptors

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:10:42 EDT

Bryan Colangelo's contract with the Toronto Raptors expires in July and whether or not he will continue as general manager has yet to be determined.

Colangelo has a supporter in Dwane Casey.

“I want Bryan back,” Casey said. “Bryan hired me here. I don’t want to go into another year with a new general manager. Change is part of the NBA but I’d much rather have Bryan back, a guy I’ve worked with and been with. We know each other and I know he knows what we’re looking for, what we’re trying to do.”

Casey and Colangelo have not been completely in unison this season, but generally have a good relationship.

“He’s done a good job of taking big steps, of getting assets and pieces of a core together. I’d like to finish it out, and I’d like to do it with Bryan.”

Valanciunas Kept Overnight At Hospital Following Head Injury

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 01:52:56 EDT

Jonas Valanciunas was taken to a Chicago hospital as a precaution following a 'whiplash-like' injury at the end of the Toronto Raptors' 101-98 win over the Bulls.

Valanciunas banged his head into Rudy Gay's shoulder while going for the ball out of a jump ball.

Play was not stopped, but Valanciunas went straight to the Raptors' bench to sit on one of the chairs.

Valanciunas was fitted with a protective collar and escorted from the court.

Valanciunas was kept overnight at the hospital for observation.

Lillard, Valanciunas Named Rookies Of Month

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:24:21 EDT

The NBA announced Friday that the Toronto Raptors' Jonas Valanciunas and Portland Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard were named the Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in March.

Valanciunas ranked first among Eastern Conference rookies in rebounds (7.3 rpg), blocks (1.07 bpg), and field goal percentage (.620). He also ranked second in free throw percentage (.822) and fourth in scoring (11.4 ppg), reaching double figures in points in 11 of his last 12 games (March 6-31). Valanciunas is one of only two rookies (New Orleans' Anthony Davis) in the NBA averaging at least 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and shooting 50 percent from the floor this season.

Lillard, winner of his fifth consecutive Kia Rookie of the Month award, led all rookies in scoring (21.3 ppg), assists (6.8 apg), field goals (119), three-pointers (42) and free throws (61). In March, he became one of only four rookies in league history to record 1,390 points and 475 assists. Lillard also tied the all-time NBA rookie record for three-pointers in a season with 166.

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