VIDEO: Old Clip Surfaces of Masai Ujiri Saying He 'Hates the Knicks' So New York Fans Can Relax
By Brendan Balsamo
After the firing of New York Knicks president Steve Mills, owner James Dolan reportedly wants to target current Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri to take over. However, after a 2014 video of Ujiri recently resurfaced, it seems like the longtime Raps exec might not be as enthusiastic about coming to Manhattan as Dolan would hope.
Here’s a 2015 clip of Masai Ujiri saying he hates the Knicks pic.twitter.com/FWsgNMLl3a
— David Gardner (@byDavidGardner) February 4, 2020
Knicks fans, who oh so often are let down by a so-called basketball messiah, need to relax. For one, Ujiri is under contract until 2020-21. Not only that, but, in total character with how Dolan has operated for years, he is reluctant to give up any assets for Ujiri.
Masai Ujiri has long been Jim Dolan's dream candidate to run Knicks, but here's what's already complicating that pursuit: Ujiri's contract, and Knicks reluctance to give up draft compensation to Toronto, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2020
The assets will have to be abundant as well, as Ujiri just brought Toronto its first championship in franchise history, and they currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference despite losing Kawhi Leonard in the offseason. They're in a good place with Ujiri at the helm and it's hard to see the Raptors letting him walk.
Dolan has already had converations with one possible candidate, sources tell ESPN. The process for a successor is likely moving faster than the time needed to wait on an Ujiri courtship. https://t.co/9oFeARMvFY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2020
Knicks fans need to remember who their owner is and temper their expectations, as always.