New general manager Masai Ujiri isn’t sugarcoating the current state of the Toronto Raptors.
While some believe the Raptors are just a few pieces away from contending, Ujiri appears to view the situation very differently.
“We need to get better at everything,” Ujiri told Jeff Blair Thursday on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “We didn’t make the playoffs. We’re not a contending team. We’re not even close to being that.”
The Raptors haven’t made the playoffs the last five years and do not appear ready to contend with the likes of the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference.
So the primary goal for Ujiri and the Raptors at this point will be player development and trying to get the identity of the organization back on track.
“How do we make the better on our team in terms of production and wins and losses and in terms of getting better as a player? Those are the things we’re working on this summer,” Ujiri said. “We need to start developing and teaching players our identity, and philosophy and identity going forward.
“It’s not a test year. Not about wins and losses but how much can we grow together and build this thing where it’s positive.”
Some were surprised to see the Raptors bring back incumbent coach Dwane Casey, considering the team’s collapse on defence last season, but Ujiri was confident that they will make for a strong partnership going forward.
The two have already discussed candidates to fill out the rest of the coaching staff — a decision Casey will have a strong hand in.
“Dwane Casey has the pedigree,” Ujiri explained. “We’re going to work together and figure it out. I have to put him on a platform to succeed and that’s bringing in poeple he feels comfortable with. We want energy and teaching to grow and to encourage players to get better and to go out and work hard and put it all out for the Raptors.”
Heading into the summer, the Raptors’ focus will shift towards player acquisition and that could come in a number of ways.
“We’ll try everything we can to get the team back on track,” said Ujiri. “We’ll try every single way because we’re not a playoff team and we haven’t been there for five years. We have to be patient and find a way to grow this team in this right way.”
It won’t be easy for the Raptors, though, as they currently are without selections for next week’s NBA Draft.
Ujiri knows it could be difficult to acquire a pick but that will not stop him from working the phones.
“Never shut off my phone and stop bugging people. You bug people all day. Keep bugging until something gives. Thursday (next week’s NBA Draft) could go very quiet or could be very busy. Hope things go the way you want it to go. “
