In the two days before making the most significant, high-risk, blow-your-mind trade in Toronto Raptors history, Masai Ujiri spent time with former U.S. President Barack Obama in Kenya. Obama opened a court Ujiri helped build; they went to dinner together, spent time together. The thing that struck Ujiri the most was how Obama made people feel special. How the former President’s charm, intellect, and natural feel for human interaction made everyone in the room feel like they could believe in him.
On Friday, Ujiri stood before the media two hours after getting off a plane from the continent and discussed The Trade: Four-time all-star and franchise icon DeMar DeRozan for potential MVP and free agent Kawhi Leonard.