Raptors lose GM to rival month before draft
Masai Ujiri has built a deep and highlyrespected front office with the Raptors, and it was inevitable that a new, bigger challenge would ultimately present itself to some member of his brain trust. That day has arrived.
Jeff Weltman, a highly-regarded longtime NBA front-office executive brought to Toronto by Ujiri not long after taking over the helm of the franchise, is leaving to become the president of basketball operations with the Orlando Magic.
The timing of the move is not ideal for a Raptors franchise facing a handful of key off-season decisions, but will give Weltman the time necessary to continue a building process with the Magic — who fired GM Rob Hennigan last month. Widespread speculation that the Magic were prepared to wait for the Cleveland Cavaliers to finish their season before hiring their GM, David Griffin, was proved wrong.
While the loss will be significant, Ujiri has built a solid front office that can withstand one member getting a promotion. Assistant GM Bobby Webster, director of player personnel and Raptors 905 GM Dan Tolzman, and director of basketball operations Teresa Resch will give Ujiri counsel as the draft and summer free agency approach.
It is a significant time in Raptors history. Four players — Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, P.J. Tucker and Patrick Patterson — will be unrestricted free agents in July, and decisions on their future will map out the Raptors’ future for the next half-decade.
In Orlando, Weltman has a chance to make an immediate impact on a team that has missed five straight post-seasons. The Magic have the sixth pick in the June 22 draft and could clear as much as $15 million in cap space for free agents.