World News – CA – Video: Masai Ujiri almost had his man with Giannis Antetokounmpo who slipped the 2013 NBA Draft

The Toronto Raptors did not have a selection for the 2013 NBA draft. Still, it didn’t stop the then-newly hired Executive Vice President and General Manager Masai Ujiri from actively pursuing a particular player he had his eye on: Giannis Antetokounmpo.

An old clip from the Raptors’ war room during the tense moments of the 2013 NBA Draft has recently surfaced. Ujiri and the right-hand Bobby Webster did everything to pluck Antetokounmpo.

Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster, boy genius, in 2013. I’m desperately trying to swap the draft for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

As seen in the clip, Ujiri and Webster were trying to figure out possible trade movements that could have allowed them to land a then relatively unknown antetokounmpo. He was named 15th by the Milwaukee Bucks. Overall winner selected, and now that we have the edge with hindsight, there’s no denying that it was an absolute bargain price.

For his part, Ujiri very much appreciated the potential of Giannis Antetokounmpo and was eager to try to bring him the Raptors. Oh what could have been.

This only shows the kind of foresight that Ujiri possesses. He had a few problems along the way, but he has undeniably emerged as one of the top managers in the NBA. The way he did a great job of pulling the strings as the architect behind the unforgettable Raptors’ title run in 2019 is just one testament to that fact.

The Raptors have some very good players on their roster like Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. However, at this point it appears that Ujiri is still the team’s most valuable asset right now.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Toronto Raptors, 2013 NBA Draft, Masai Ujiri, Milwaukee Bucks