Masai’s future is always in play

The questions surrounding whether Masai Ujiri is leaving Toronto seem to be picking up steam. The biggest question to me is whether MLSE screwed up big time in not extending Masai after they won the championship. If that is indeed the case, it will go down as the most colossal mistake ever made in the history of Toronto sports. — Stan

There’s no steam today, and we have no firm idea of what did or did not transpire in the summer — or even last week — for certain. Read into stuff what you will, but I need to point this out because not many have: Masai is a 49-yearold, hugely accomplished sports executive and agent of social change, and it is entirely likely that he has designs on greater challenges for the rest of his life that will most certainly involve change in his current professional responsibilities. Anyone who would deny that is either (a) not paying attention to the great things he might want to accomplish on a grander stage, or (b) too selfish. Let’s see how this plays out, what he wants to do and where he wants to do it, because frankly he has decades left in his life to meet larger challenges, and to think he’s never going to leave Toronto is foolish.

I’m not sure of how this works, but another ball-handling guard might be nice for emergency situations and to take some of the burden off Patrick McCaw and Terence Davis with the second unit. Is Tyler Ennis an option? He seems to be doing well with the 905. — Scott It’d be the same as with any addition now: The Raptors would have to waive someone off their full 15-man roster and pay them not to play in order to create a spot for Ennis or anyone. As much as I like Tyler’s game — and he’s had some big ones in the G League — I don’t think that’s enough of a difference-maker to cause the Raptors to create a spot right now.

Hadn’t realized Andre Iguodala had been sitting out all season. Would he have still been paid while not playing in Memphis? You would think it would be better to be playing than just sitting. — Dave Oh yeah, he got paid every dime he was owed before the trade to Miami. And maybe playing would have been good for him, but he didn’t forget how to, and saved 50 or so games of wear and tear on his 36-year-old body.

I was perusing the NBA standings and was struck by the dramatic difference between 13 “have” teams and 17 “havenots” … How much of the disparity of the teams is due to bad executive decisions? How much is because of poor coaching? How much is it players not buying into the team-first concept? — Bruce

It’s impossible to apportion “blame” in the “how much is due?” question. It’s always shared, and different teams have different reasons for extended periods of futility. The “what can be done?” question is easier. I don’t think they need to change the draft process, but teams have to be better at identifying and developing their own talent. They need to add the right free agents, and get some breaks in trades. It’s about being smarter basketball minds.