The New York Knicks have Masai Ujiri at the top of their list to become president of basketball operations and replace Phil Jackson.

The Toronto Raptors hired Ujiri away from the Denver Nuggets in 2013 and he wa recently given a raise believed to make him one of five highest paid executives in the NBA.

Sources say Ujiri will be allowed to leave the Raptors if he makes that decision. Toronto recently received draft pick compensation from the Orlando Magic for Jeff Weltman. The Raptors haven't received a request from the Knicks to interview Ujiri.

League sources have indicated the Knicks are confident that Ujiri will join their franchise.

Tim Leiweke, who hired Ujiri with the Raptors, is now advising the Knicks.

“Don’t forget that (Leiweke) wants to stick it to these guys,” said one MLSE official.

Ramona Shelburne reports that the Knicks are unlikely to rush hiring a replacement for Jackson. League sources told her it will be difficult to hire Ujiri away from the Raptors because of the Knicks' reluctance to part with draft considerations.