Raptors GM says lacklustre finish is ‘unacceptable,’ but ‘it’s not doomsday’

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In his season-ending session with the media on Tuesday, Masai Ujiri wasn't ready to speak for or against keeping Dwane Casey as the coach of the Toronto Raptors, but he did pledge his confidence in a return to form for point guard Kyle Lowry.

Less than 48 hours after the Raptors were swept out of their first-round playoff series by the Washington Wizards, the team's president and general manager called the playoff finish "unacceptable" and likened it to being "kicked in the face."

When asked about the future of his coach, Ujiri forewent the opportunity to endorse Casey, saying instead that he still needs to evaluate everyone.

When questioned about Lowry, though, Ujiri said he expects a summer of hard work will have Toronto's struggling point guard back to the form that got him voted into the all-star game. Ujiri said he hasn't lost any of the confidence he felt when re-signing Lowry last July to a reported four-year contract worth about $48-million (U.S.).

"I have no doubt that 100 per cent he's going to come back to being Kyle Lowry and being the fierce competitive player playing at the level he played this first half of this season and all last year," Ujiri said.

"I'm even more confident [than when he was re-signed] because we know now what we have and what we need to work on. We know who Kyle is."

A variety of other topics were put before Ujiri. He said he can live with the decision he made at the trade deadline to stand pat with his roster and said he's glad he got to evaluate everyone under adversity. The GM said the team has been waiting for some contracts to expire to open doors for new players. While Ujiri didn't mention any names, the Raptors have several players entering free agency in July: Landry Fields, Amir Johnson, Tyler Hansbrough, Lou Williams, Chuck Hayes and Greg Stiemsma.

Ujiri preached patience and optimism about the two Raptors entering the final year of their rookie deals – Jonas Valanciunas and Terrence Ross. He felt Ross regressed a little on defence this season but is a great shooter who's starting to pull his game together. And he said Valanciunas improved with footwork, rim protection, confidence and defensive rebounding.

"We can criticize Jonas all we want, and it's a big discussion we're going to have with coach and staff – how he was used," Ujiri said of the seven-foot Lithuanian. "I think it's gradual with big guys. It takes time, and he's going to be a big part of our building."

Ujiri dropped a little news as well, saying the board of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has approved the purchase of the Raptors' own NBA Development League team. He couldn't predict a timeline for the purchase, but hopes it will play a big part in developing rookies such as Bruno Caboclo.

Ujiri was also asked if he regrets going on stage before fans and yelling, "We don't give a s---" about Wizard Paul Pierce's remarks that Toronto didn't have "it." He professed great respect for the veteran but said he was only trying to show support for the Raptors, not shine a light on himself.

"Was it stupid that I went out there and said that? I apologize for cursing. I got scolded by the commissioner, my wife and [Raptors basketball adviser] Wayne Embry," Ujiri said. "I'll tell you what: I'm not going to do it again. I think I've learned my lesson."

In the end, Ujiri stressed his mix of great disappointment over the playoff flop and his eagerness to get building on the base he sees.

"Maybe I didn't get a pulse on our team. Those are all the things that I think we're going to evaluate and then move on from there," he said. "But it's not doomsday. There are a lot of good things."