Masai Ujiri is playing the big game, now and later. It was clear when he traded for Kawhi Leonard last summer; it became clearer Thursday. When you sit at the big table you have to roll the dice, and the Raptors are rolling. They’ve come this far. What else was there to do?
No, the Raptors had to go as all-in as they were willing to go. A few hours before the NBA trade deadline, the Raptors traded longtime centre Jonas Valanciunas, guard Delon Wright, spare part C.J. Miles and a second-round draft pick in 2024 to the Memphis Grizzlies for centre Marc Gasol, 34.