On Wednesday, Masai Ujiri FaceTimed with Collin Murray-Boyles, the defensive dynamo the Toronto Raptors had just selected with the ninth pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. "This is awesome, we're so happy to have you," Ujiri told him.

The move comes as an unusual time. Ujiri just took part in the 2025 NBA Draft with the Raptors, and was entering the final year of his contract. Ujiri could have hypothetically finished out his contract with the team and left in the offseason. It's unclear why both sides felt it was necessary to move on at this time.

The Toronto Raptors fired president and vice chairman Masai Ujiri, the franchise announced Friday, less than 12 hours after the 2025 NBA Draft and days before the start of free agency.