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But the veteran NBA executive, seven years on the job in Toronto after more than a decade with the Phoenix Suns and a two-time NBA executive of the year, has always been a loyal and valued part of the organization, a fact not lost on ownership. Sources suggest minority owner Larry Tanenbaum may have been involved in the process of finding a suitable and significant position for Colangelo, a process that was still being finalized Monday afternoon, according to sources. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo 

But NBA sources have confirmed that Ujiri is at the very least “intrigued” by the opportunity in Toronto, and not just because the Raptors have suggested through back channels (likely an executive search firm contracted to do background work on identified candidates and make third-party approaches to those already under contract with other teams) that he could command a four-year contract worth about $9 million. It’s a nice pay packet in a league where the average general manager earns $1 million per year. SportsNet

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri 

It only makes sense that before they do respond Denver will negotiate the parameters of a new contract with Ujiri. League sources suggest that Wednesday will be the earliest any formal talks between Ujiri and the Raptors can take place — and only if Ujiri doesn’t get a significant offer on a contract extension from Denver in the meantime. SportsNet

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri 

In a move that should be officially announced as early as Tuesday morning, Colangelo will cede control of basketball operations as the president and general manager within the company and move to some unspecified corporate role, according to multiple NBA sources. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo 

Sources suggest minority owner Larry Tanenbaum may have been involved in the process of finding a suitable and significant position for Colangelo, a process that was still being finalized Monday afternoon, according to sources. What Colangelo’s role will be remains unclear but sources are adamant it won’t include the current title. However, with 18 years as an NBA executive, Colangelo would surely have some insight to offer to whomever takes on whatever role MLSE ownership has in mind; he is not expected, however, to have the ultimate say in personnel matters. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo, Owners, Larry Tanenbaum 

Colangelo will actually represent the Raptors at the NBA draft lottery in New York on Tuesday night but sources have said they expect an official announcement on his new position before the lottery is held. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo 

According to multiple NBA sources, Colangelo is about to be moved into an unspecified corporate role with MLSE, leaving his Raptors post as president and general manager’s open. The top — and most successful — name being kicked around is Ujiri, named the league’s executive of the year earlier this month by other league execs. Ujiri has close ties to the Raptors, having worked for three years in Toronto as the director of global scouting and assistant GM. His close allegiance to Colangelo and senior advisor Wayne Embry will be a factor, however, in any decision on his suitability. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo, Wayne Embry 

And some sources are quick to suggest it’s not just a matter of finalizing a contract with the 43-year-old Ujiri, whose contract with the Nuggets expires this year. New MLSE chief executive officer Tim Leiweke, who will make the final decision on Colangelo’s replacement, may be looking to make an even bigger splash with his first hire on the job. However, the list of potential candidates doesn’t suggest there’s going to be much of a “wow” factor to the new front office addition. The only other outside names that have been mentioned privately in NBA circles are Indiana GM Kevin Pritchard and Troy Weaver of the Oklahoma City Thunder, both solid front office personnel but hardly the kind of ‘rock star’ hire many expected Leiweke would be able to pull off. Toronto Star

Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, Kevin Pritchard, Troy Weaver, Masai Ujiri, Tim Leiweke 

If the Suns hadn’t been in the Finals, and Jerry Colangelo hadn’t attended that game, who knows whether he would have warmed up to an idea that led to the expansion Diamondbacks? Michael Jordan’s 55 points led to a Bulls victory in Game 4 and left the Suns on the brink of vacation. An incident during the game left Colangelo with a double-dose of ill feelings. He was sitting with his son, Bryan, when he heard a commotion behind him where his wife, Joanie, and mother were. “What’s going on?” Colangelo asked. “The guy behind us told your mom to shut up and sit down,” Joanie said. Arizona Republic

Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Michael Jordan, Jerry Colangelo, Bryan Colangelo 

Colangelo was livid and told the man to apologize. He wouldn’t. Colangelo sent his wife and mother away from the seats. “You don’t want to do this, Mr. Colangelo,” a security guard told him. As the game ended, the fan gave Colangelo the finger. Colangelo leaped over a row of seats and grabbed him. He got a punch in before security pulled him away. “It’s a Chicago story,” Colangelo said, smiling. Later, the man who owned the seats occupied by the culprit called Colangelo to apologize. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Jerry Colangelo, Bryan Colangelo 

Doug Smith: Sources: Bryan Colangelo to remain at MLSE in "corporate" role -- non basketball -- as search continues for head of #Raptors organization. Twitter @SmithRaps

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo 

Adrian Wojnarowski: The MLSE had been negotiating with Raptors president Bryan Colangelo over weekend on a return in a "significant" capacity, sources tell Y! Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo 

Adrian Wojnarowski: The MLSE remains in full pursuit of Denver GM Masai Ujiri to assume full control of Raptors, sources tell Y! Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo, Masai Ujiri 

It was Feb. 28, 2006 and Bryan Colangelo was being hailed as the man who would turn around the flagging fortunes of the Raptors and once again make them competitive. For about two seasons, Colangelo would live up to that billing. But for the past five years, he and the organization he has overseen have been spinning their wheels. Needing someone to play alongside Chris Bosh, Colangelo dealt T.J. Ford and the Raptors’ No. 1 pick, Roy Hibbert, to Indiana for Jermaine O’Neal. Since that trade, it has been a succession of deals with declining returns to try to make amends for that gaffe. Today, barring a stunning turn of events, it is expected Colangelo’s term in Toronto will end seven years and 81 days after it began. Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo 

After a breakout season in the European League, Gani Lawal has intrigued NBA teams and could receive consideration for a contract, league sources told RealGM. Lawal has already scheduled workouts – private and as part of mini-camps – with the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, sources said. Four to five other teams have discussed bringing him in to work out, too. RealGM

Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Gani Lawal 

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is pursuing Denver Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri to take over as the top basketball executive of the Toronto Raptors, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri 

Masai, the 2013 NBA Executive of the Year, has emerged as the top choice of the search firm – Korn/Ferry International – that's been charged with finding a successor to Raptors president Bryan Colangelo, league sources said. MLSE has until Monday to make a decision on Colangelo's contract option for next year. It is possible that he could stay with the franchise under a new top basketball official. Yahoo! Sports

Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo, Masai Ujiri 

Ryan Wolstat: All signs point to Bryan Colangelo being in his final days with the Raptors. Story should be up soon. Twitter @WolstatSun

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo 

The deadline to determine the future of Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo is quickly arriving. According to NBA sources, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment — and new chief executive officer Tim Leiweke — has to decide by Monday on whether to pick up Colangelo’s option year for 2013-14. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo, Tim Leiweke 

And Leiweke is not conducting the search for a possible replacement on his own; multiple NBA sources say MLSE has hired a head-hunting firm to whittle down a list of possible replacements. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo, Tim Leiweke