Raptors GM Ujiri still reviewing Casey as coach, says step back is an option
Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri made the rounds on Toronto sports radio Wednesday, but much like in his season-ending news conference last week, he didn't have much to add on the status of coach Dwane Casey.
"I'm still studying it, we're still gathering all the information," Ujiri told Sportsnet 590 The FAN in regards to whether a decision has been made on Casey's future.
Approximately 20 minutes later, Ujiri told competing station TSN 1050 the same thing.
"We're still going to go through the process of looking at the things we did well and the things we didn't do so well," he said. "When that happens, we will make a decision and move forward."
Ujiri downplayed Kyle Lowry's remarks the day after the Raptors were swept by the Washington Wizards, when the point guard offered a less-than-ringing endorsement for Casey.
"It's very hard to do things the day after you lose. You act on emotions a little bit sometimes," Ujiri told TSN. "I didn't read anything into it. Dwane has won a championship as an assistant coach, but I haven't won a championship ... Kyle Lowry hasn't won a championship, so there's nobody who can question anybody."
There has been speculation that Ujiri's non-commitment to Casey may be the result of the Raptors waiting to see how this summer's coaching market shakes out - specifically, Tom Thibodeau's availability. Conversely, others such as ESPN's Marc Stein have reported that it's unlikely Casey, with two years and about $8 million left on his contract, is going anywhere.
In terms of the players on the floor, Ujiri again maintained they would be evaluated thoroughly. "Some guys are going to get good grades and some guys are going to get bad grades," he told Sportsnet.
He did, however, acknowledge that it may behoove the organization to take a step backwards in order to reach Ujiri's oft-stated goal of long-term excellence.
"That's an option," Ujiri told TSN. "Everything we are going to do is going to be what's good for this organization and competing for a championship in the future."
Key Raptors free agents this summer include NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams and longtime starting power forward Amir Johnson. Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas are due qualifying offers as they go into their fourth NBA seasons.
Toronto is in good long-term cap shape at the moment, with only three players - Lowry, Bruno Caboclo and Lucas Nogueira - ostensibly on the books after the summer of 2017.
Ujiri knows his team's current defensive deficiencies well, and joked about it on air, asking TSN's Dave Feschuk, "Are you available to come help us defend on the wing?"