Wizards Planning $10 Million Offer For Raptors' Chief Architect

Kawhi Leonard’s future is unlikely to be the only worry for the Toronto Raptors going into the offseason with the Washington Wizards reportedly planning an approach for Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri. The 48-year-old is considered the chief architect of the franchise that just claimed their first ever NBA Championship beating Golden State Warriors in Game 6 on Thursday night.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Wizards are planning an approach for Ujiri with a massive $10 million per year offer while also offering the opportunity for ownership equity. Wizards owner Ted Leonsis is expected to contact Toronto ownership to request permission to meet with the president of basketball operations.

The offer will include running the Wizards basketball operations and taking over a leadership role with Monumental Sports and Entertainment that oversees the Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals. Ujiri, who joined the Raptors in 2013, has been credited for building the team and making them a championship-winning franchise.

The England-born Nigerian arrived from Denver Nuggets, where he was named NBA executive of the year in 2013. Ujiri is also responsible for making the Nuggets into perennial post-season contenders and the Wizards are now keen for him to help them move up in the Eastern Conference.

The Wizards have been looking for a top basketball executive since the departure of Ernie Grunfeld in April but the search has stalled after Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly rejected an offer on May 20. They have also interviewed Oklahoma City Thunder executive Troy Weaver and former Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry, league sources told ESPN.

The Washington franchise is said to be relatively impressed with the performance of interim general manager Tommy Sheppard. But if Ujiri, who has two years remaining on his contract with the Raptors, becomes available, they are keen to make a move during the offseason.

Meanwhile, Ujiri already has a major task of convincing Leonard to commit to the Toronto Raptors this summer, and the speculation over his long-term future with the franchise is certain to cause an unwanted distraction.