Masai Ujiri Says He'll Be a 'Raptor for Life' After Potential Departure Rumors

Toronto Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri told reporters Friday he's "hoping to be a Toronto Raptor for life" after rumors emerged that he could be a candidate to run the New York Knicks front office. 

Sportsnet relayed video of the comment, which came during a press conference to reintroduce Serge Ibaka after the two sides agreed to terms on a three-year, $65 million deal, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Shortly after the Knicks parted ways with Phil Jackson, speculation sprouted that they would pursue Ujiri intensely.

The Toronto Star's Bruce Arthur cited league sources June 28 who said the Knicks were "already confident Ujiri is coming to New York."

However, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported June 30 that the Knicks decided not to ask the Raptors for permission to interview the 47-year-old executive.

Now firmly focused on a future with the Raptors, Ujiri laid out a blueprint for the future Friday when he addressed reporters during pressers for Ibaka and Kyle Lowry.

Ujiri said he has a plan in place for the next two to three years and that the team will pivot if it doesn't turn out the way he hopes.

That timeline makes sense considering both Ibaka and Lowry inked three-year deals that will run through the 2019-20 season.

Locked in a battle with the Boston Celtics for superiority in the Atlantic, the Raptors' Big Three of Lowry, Ibaka and DeMar DeRozan will attempt to reclaim their title atop the division as they set their sights on a return to the Eastern Conference Finals.