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Exit Survey: 3 goals for the steadily-improving Toronto Raptors

By Luke Duffy

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 25: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors (C) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 25, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 25: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors (C) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 25, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 01: Toronto rapper Drake speaks with Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri during the first half of NBA game between the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat at Scotiabank Arena on February 1, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

3 goals for the steadily-improving Toronto Raptors: 2. Do not let Masai Ujiri leave

If there is one man who is in demand and has a great proven track record, it is Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri. He was the person who convinced the San Antonio Spurs to part with Kawhi Leonard for DeMar DeRozan, which was the catalyst in the franchise winning the 2019 championship.

Perhaps even more impressively, the Raptors did not hit the depths of the Eastern Conference once Leonard left for the LA Clippers. Instead, they kept their heads above water, moved on from franchise legend Lowry at the right time (if these playoffs are anything to go by), and saw VanVleet turn into an All-Star.

To nail the Barnes pick was bonus territory. The Raptors already have the makings of a fringe contender if they can just get some internal improvement and the aforementioned correct selection of later picks in the upcoming draft. None of this would have gone as smoothly if Ujiri was not in charge.

At one point in time, it looked like the New York Knicks were going to pursue him hard, but that ended up not happening. It kind of feels like the Covid-19 situation and the nature of teams playing it safe and just doing their best to survive cooled the interest in Ujiri as he continued to do a wonderful job in Toronto.

But make no mistake. Some up-and-coming franchise is going to see Ujiri as the man to take them to the next level, and if the project is intriguing enough, it would be hard to blame him for wanting to go.

Tim Connelly just received a ridiculous deal to go and work for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ujiri is in the same bracket, and it is imperative the Raptors keep him to continue steering their ship.

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