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Over the last two days we've heard from two different reporters on the Toronto Raptors' offers for the Denver Nuggets VP of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri. Doug Smith, from The Star, had the offer at $1.5 million per season, Michael Grange, from Rogers Sportsnet, reported that the Raptors' offer was a 4-year, $9 million one ($2.25M per), and last night Peter Vecsey Tweeted out that the Raptors have offered a deal in excess of $3 million per season:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Can confirm Raptors offered 3M plus per 2 Masai Ujiri 2 rule b-ball program. Relationship w DN pres Josh Kroenke makes decision difficult</p>— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterVecsey1/status/339246131785637889">May 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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I was a little confused by the "per 2" part ... is that just a two year offer? Did Vecsey just mean "to Masai Ujiri"? Surely, the offer is for longer than two seasons?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/nate_timmons">nate_timmons</a> 4 yrs</p>— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterVecsey1/status/339387755052269568">May 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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The power of Twitter! Behold! Wait ... what? Jokes aside - that's a four-year, $12 million offer or more. I would think Ujiri would jump at that, but again we're hearing three different offers; hard to know the truth.
No matter what the real offer is from Toronto, we should be getting an answer from Ujiri (perhaps today, May 28th) soon. Like today or maybe tomorrow.
UPDATES:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Denver GM Masai Ujiri expected to make choice as soon as today on rich Toronto offer, sources tells Y! Denver hasn't made a big counter.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/339442781267312640">May 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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I can't help but to think that Woj is feeding us information he's hearing from the Toronto side of things. I don't know why, but I get that feeling. I could be wrong. Why is that important? It might not be - just feels like everything he writes is dire straits for the Nuggets and all gravy for the Raptors.
And at 12:42 p.m. today Ken Berger from CBS Sports Tweeted this out:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>As Denver GM Masai Ujiri weighs lucrative offer from Toronto, he won't make a decision until he meets with Nuggets ownership, sources say.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/status/339451618871349249">May 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Ujiri met with Raptors new boss Tim Leiweke on Friday and was offered job. He'll meet with Nuggets' Josh Kroenke today or tomorrow.</p>— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBergCBS/statuses/339451942810038272">May 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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I would think this is a good sign or maybe Masai's final chance to let the Nuggets try to keep him? Ahh! It'll all be over soon, I promise.
Chad Iske on the move?
George Karl has been talking-up his assistant coaches for the better part of two seasons now. Bob Finnan, from The News-Herald in Ohio reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers have interviewed Iske for a seat on Mike Brown's (yes, that Mike Brown) staff.
The Cavs have interviewed Nuggets assistant coach Chad Iske for a position on Mike Brown's staff, a source said. Iske just finished his 14th season with the Nuggets, six as an assistant. He oversees the scouting of upcoming opponents and assisted Coach George Karl with game-plan preparation.
I enjoyed watching Iske coach this past season and getting to talk a little hoops with him. He does an excellent job with his scouting of opponents and is really confident and knowledgeable in his approach to the game. Check out this piece I did with Iske talking defense from January. I hope Iske sticks around, but perhaps the opportunity to take on more responsibility awaits him in Cleveland? We'll find out soon.