NBA: Raptors hire reigning Executive of the Year Masai Ujiri away from Nuggets - Yahoo Sports

The Toronto Raptors have landed the NBA's reigning Executive of the Year Masai Ujiri, hiring him away from the Denver Nuggets, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday (Saturday, PHL time), citing league sources.

Masai Ujiri has agreed to a 5 year deal for $15 million with Toronto, league sources say.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 31, 2013

Biggest reason for time it took Ujiri to decide on move stemmed from strong bond with Denver CEO Josh Kroenke, sources say.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 31, 2013

According to the report, Ujiri "has accepted a five-year $15 million contract," with his current deal with the Denver Nuggets set to expire on June 30. He reportedly made just $500,000 with the latter franchise.

Ujiri is the first African-born general manager for a major American sports team, and is best known for negotiating the terms of the trade that sent superstar Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks.

This past offseason, Ujiri executed another deal that saw the Nuggets acquire Andre Iguodala. Despite the squad being bereft of a player considered a go-to guy, Denver finished third in the Western Conference with a 57-25 record.

The team however was upset by the Golden State Warriors in six games, in the first round of the playoffs.

Ujiri was actually the assistant Raptors general manager in 2008, before joining the Nuggets in 2010. He replaces his former boss Bryan Colangelo, who was shifted away from his basketball front office position to a corporate role.

The Raptors finished this season with a 34-48 card, bottom of their division. - AMD, GMA News