ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday that the Toronto Raptors are appointing general manager Bobby Webster as the team’s new basketball business head, and the two sides have reportedly signed a new contract.
Bobby Webster joined the Raptors in 2013
Webster joined the first hiring of the Raptors in 2013. He now succeeds Ujiri as head of Raptors. Toronto split up with Ujiri on June 27 and recruited CAA to perform searches during the team president recruitment process.
“The Raptors talked to several candidates about the team’s top executive position, but since the Ujiri replacement process began in late June, Webster has impressed Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley and other MLSE officials.”
In July, Pelley and Webster discussed the future of the Raptors during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Their meeting allows MLSE to view Webster’s management style according to Charania.
“It makes a lot of sense to formally hand over the team to Bobby and give him time and support to allow his plan to be made,” Paley said.
Raptors win the only NBA title in 2019
Ujiri joined the Raptors as general manager in 2013 and won the NBA Executive of the Year Award. He also helped Toronto win the only NBA title of 2019.
In fact, Ujiri is entirely responsible for triggering the trigger with the San Antonio Mast after trading franchise star Demar DeRozan.
The move ended the city’s 26-year championship drought, even if not counting the 2017 MLS champion of Toronto Football Club or the Grey Cup at Toronto Argonauts.
Ujiri promoted Webster from various positions within the Raptor, including Vice President of Strategy, Assistant General Manager and General Motors.
“I thank Keith, the board and our ownership for this is an opportunity to continue my work, a team, a city and a country that I love to work on,” Webster said in a statement.
“What’s important to me – the leadership that is considerate and empowered, and the competitive fire – is the backbone of my as a leader.
“That’s what I see from me every day. It’s a new chapter in Raptors basketball, but one thing that won’t change is our passion for winning and our goal is to bring another champion to Toronto.”
Webster enters its 21st NBA season
Webster, 40, entered his 21st season in the NBA. The Hawaiians have been in executive careers in the Alliance Office since 2006-13. He will begin his ninth season as General Motors.
The Raptors missed the third consecutive year of playoffs, winning 30-52 last season. Toronto’s core includes Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and Immanuel Quickley.
Last month, the Raptors and Poeltl agreed to a four-year, $104 million extension that would keep the 7-foot-long center contracted for the 2029-30 season.
Poeltl joins Barnes and Quickley for each Spotrac, and the Raptors players are under contract for at least the next four seasons. Poeltl, Barnes, Quickley, Barrett and Ingram have an average annual salary of at least $25 million.
