CLEVELAND—The fast-fading memory of the Andrea Bargnani era has been momentarily revived for Toronto Raptors fans.
Thanks to general manager Masai Ujiri’s masterful ability to fleece the New York Knicks in NBA transactions, Toronto will have the ninth pick in June’s draft, a perk the Raptors got when Ujiri shipped Bargnani and his declining skills to New York in a deal nearly two years ago.
The Raptors will also have their own 27th pick.
“You know, he’s sneakily good,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said of Ujiri. “He’s done an excellent job of developing a culture, not only building for right now, and our expectations are high now, but for (the future).