Toronto General Manager Masai Ujiri has opined players are likely to stay when teams give players the platform to be happy.
He made the statement in an interview with Basketballghana.com’s Yaw Adjei-Mintah when asked about Toronto’s prospects of retaining All-Star Guard Kyle Lowry next season during a two day trip to Ghana.
The Nigerian native who is touring six countries in Africa with members of his award winning Giants of Africa program, pinned player retention on making player’s happy. He said:
“When it comes to contract situations, you try to give these players a platform and put them in a position where they are happy. When Kyle signed with us (in 2014) he was happy…we have to create a position and a platform for them to be happy with our team”.
He also stated the importance of winning in the process saying, “Winning helps. We have to win on the court and off the court. We have a great organization and great fans. I think all that plays out well”.
Ujiri himself is in negotiations with the Raptors on an extension after leading the side to three consecutive playoff appearances including a maiden Eastern Conference final appearance last season.
