After 52 days of searching and speculation, the Toronto Raptors have ultimately landed back where they started. General Manager, Bobby Webster, will succeed the recently dismissed, Masai Ujiri, as Head of Basketball Operations for the Toronto Raptors.
Webster will maintain his current title of General Manager, while assuming full team leadership
responsibility, as per Raptors PR.
“I’m grateful to Keith (Pelley, MLSE President and CEO), to the board, and to our ownership for this opportunity — the chance to continue the work that I love, for a team, a city, and country that’s become home,” said Webster. “The things that are important to me — a deep love for basketball, thoughtful and empowering leadership, and a competitive fire — are the pillars of who I am as a leader. That’s what you’ll see from 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.”
Ujiri was dismissed on June 27th, after 12 seasons leading basketball operations for the Toronto Raptors. The front office enlisted CAA Executive Search to help with finding Masai’s successor. While many names were floated around — Dwane Casey, Bob Myers, Marc Eversley, and Kevin Pritchard to name a few — MLSE chose who many Raptors fans believed was the right choice all along.
“Going through this comprehensive process this summer and meeting with external candidates played a critical role in arriving at this decision as it made clear that we already have the right person leading the Raptors in-house. When we weighed the many considerations, including roster construction, team culture and competitive landscape, it made perfect sense to officially hand the team to Bobby and give him the time and support to allow his plan to develop.” said Pelley. “After spending time together this summer in Las Vegas, I was very impressed by Bobby’s leadership style, his rapport with the players and staff, his reputation with his peers across the league and — especially and importantly — his vision for the Raptors. This team is his, now, to lead and I know we all look forward to what comes next.”
Webster has been with the Raptors since 2013, working his way up from VP of Strategy to Assistant GM, to his current title. At 40 years of age, and with a newly signed contract extension as a product of this move, Bobby has the runway and organizational support to lead the Raptors into the next era of competitive basketball.
The final years of Ujiri’s tenure — one playoff appearance over five seasons — will never diminish the run of excellence, which included the 2019 championship, that defined Masai’s legacy.
Toronto will enter the 2025-26 season with a starting lineup that boasts 2 All-Stars (Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes), a top-10 Center (Jakob Poeltl), and 2 young guards entering their prime (Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett). The bench is stocked with young, rising stars who have built a reputation as a feisty, defensive group, and fresh off a dominant Summer League run.
Webster’s challenge will be returning this team to the hallowed grounds that defined his predecessor’s tenure — sustained regular season success, yearly playoff trips, and, eventually, another championship!
