Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster have proven to be ruthless when it’s called for, creative when necessary, and astute judges of young basketball talent.The Raptors’ president and general manager have been presented with another opportunity to reconstruct their roster with an eye on reaching the sports pinnacle again, and they have myriad moves — today and in the future — at their disposal. Their track record would lead one to believe they will be successful.The duo traded away a franchise icon, DeMar DeRozan, last summer for one magical championship season. They moved bits and pieces in a handful of moves that got them a veteran frontcourt that was instrumental to that title run. And one only has to look at the likes of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet to understand how they can find talent where others have missed it.The job began in the wee hours of Saturday morning, after Kawhi Leonard blew out of town to join the Los Angeles Clippers and Danny Green followed him shortly after to the Lakers.Already, there is buzz around the NBA that Ujiri and Webster are at least investigating bold moves to hasten the transformation from the 2019 championship squad to one that will more than keep pace with the Eastern Conference in 2020 and beyond.Much of that buzz surrounds Toronto’s veterans and their expiring contracts, the willingness of management to make more franchise-shifting deals, and teams looking for quick fixes with deals that make sense.Kyle Lowry, who became the soul of the team, is on the final year of a contract that, with incentives included, could pay him $35 million (all figures U.S.) but Ujiri will at least investigate what he could get in return. It might end up being another point guard and a prospect in a deal that doesn’t include Toronto having to sweeten the pot or take back long-term salary. Marc Gasol ($26 million on his final contract year) and Serge Ibaka (a $23 million expiring deal) might also be available.One th ...
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