NBA Rumors: Soon to be a free agent Masai Ujiri 'not in a hurry' to sign an extension with the Toronto Raptors

Masai Ujiri has proven himself to be one of the best GMs in the league, as he has played a key role in the Toronto Raptors breaching the upper echelons of the NBA in recent times. However, NBA rumors have come up recently regarding Masai Ujiri's future with the Toronto Raptors. Let's have a look at the latest in this regard.

NBA Rumors: Toronto Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri might hit free agency soon

Toronto Raptors Victory Parade & Rally

Highly coveted General Manager Masai Ujiri is an impending free agent. However, according to Sportnet, NBA rumors suggest that he is not in a haste to sign an extension with the Toronto Raptors.

Ujiri played an important role in delivering the Raptors their first NBA championship in 2019, as he brought Kawhi Leonard to Toronto in an NBA trade that sent fan favorite DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs.

Orlando Magic vs Denver Nuggets

Masai Ujiri is one of best communicators in basketball, which is part of what makes him nearly indispensable to the Raptors. https://t.co/qoIOQFvnC2

— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) December 5, 2020

As per NBA rumors, his services could cost a minimum of $12 million a year if Ujiri decides to hit free agency. Needless to say, the Toronto Raptors will do everything in their power to retain him, considering how pivotal he has been to their recent success.

Masai Ujiri has had an incredibly successful career as a general manager in the NBA so far. He became the first African-born general manager in major American sports when hejoined the Denver Nuggets as a GM and executive vice president in charge of basketball operations in 2010.

After putting together a Denver Nuggets roster that won 57 games, the most in the franchise's NBA history, Masai Ujiri was named the 2013 NBA Executive of the Year. He is the only non-American ever to win the award.

Masai Ujiri is a pending free agent and all signals are that he is in no rush to sign an extension, per https://t.co/qbsQMzoaRg The bidding for his services will start at $12 million a year should he reach free agency. pic.twitter.com/fkgcZ0sdHL

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) December 6, 2020

Masai Ujiri has been known to take bold decisions as the Toronto Raptors General Manager.

In 2018, Dwayne Casey, who won the Coach of the Year, was fired by Masai Ujiri and replaced with then assistant Nick Nurse. The decision turned out to be a masterstroke, as Nurse led the team to a championship win in 2019.

The Toronto Raptors consider Ujiri one of their most important assets, and his extension is the number one priority for them.