The Toronto Raptors appoints general manager Bobby Webster as the new head of basketball activities of the team, and the parties reportedly reached a new contract, ESPNs Shams Charania reported Monday.
Bobby Webster came to Raptors in 2013
Webster came to the Raptors in 2013 as the first recruitment of Masai Ujiri. He now succeeds Ujiri as head manager of Raptors. Toronto separated roads with Ujiri on 27 June and called CAA Executive Search into the team residence process.
“The Raptors spoke with various candidates for the best executive position of the team, but Webster impressed Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley and other MLSE officials since the process for replacing Ujiri started at the end of June,” Charania reported.
In July, Pelley and Webster discussed the future of the Raptors during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. With their meeting, MLSE could view the management style of Webster, per Charania.
“When we weighed the many considerations, including schedule construction, team culture and competitive landscape, it was completely logical to officially hand over the team to Bobby and to give him the time and support to have his plan developed,” Pelley said.
Raptors won a Lone NBA title in 2019
Ujiri joined the Raptors as General Manager in 2013 and won the NBAs Executive of the Year Award that season. He also helped Toronto to win his only NBA championship in 2019.
Ujiri was even the only one responsible for pulling the tractor over the Kawhi Leonard trade with the San Antonio Spurs after the transaction of Franchise star Demar Derozan.
That movement eventually put an end to the 26-year-old championship drying of the city of Toronto, if not the Toronto FC’s 2017 MLS championship or the Gray Cup titles from Toronto Argonauts.
Ujiri promoted Webster from different positions within the Raptors organization, including Vice President of Strategy, Assistant General Manager and GM.
“I am grateful to Keith for the board and our property for this opportunity – the opportunity to continue the work that I love, for a team, a city and country that has become at home,” Webster said in explanation.
“The things that are important to me – a deep love for basketball, attentive and empowering leadership and a competitive fire – are the pillars I am as a leader.
“That is what you will see of 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 to introduce the 21st NBA season
Webster, 40, starts his 21st season and works in the NBA. The Hawaii resident started his executive career with a role in the League Office of 2006-13. He will start his ninth season as GM.
The Raptors went 30-52 last season and missed the late season for the third consecutive year. The core of Toronto includes Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and Immanuel Quickley.
Last month the Raptors and Poeltl agreed to a four-year extension of $ 104 million that will keep the 7-foot center under contract during the 2029-30 season.
Per PlacePoeltl came to Barnes and Quickley at least the next four seasons as players of Raptors. Poeltl, Barnes, Quickley, Barrett and Ingram all earn at least $ 25 million from average annual salary.
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