Last summer, Masai Ujiri dreamed big. He chased all-star LaMarcus Aldridge, texted him over and over, sold him a vision of a team with a country and a pulsing fan base behind it, with the chance to accomplish something for a franchise that had never accomplished anything. Ujiri is one of those people who can walk into any room and command it, and whose aura leaves an imprint. It’s a gift.
Aldridge was intrigued by Ujiri’s pitch, but didn’t visit Toronto. The signing would have required some significant financial reorganization, but it likely would have made the Raptors better.