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Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri not engaging in contract talks yet

Masai Ujiri speaks to media during an availability in Toronto on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri said he hasn’t had any contract discussions with team owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment since the club’s season ended last week.

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Ujiri’s contract has one more year left. He spoke to reporters on Thursday in his season-ending news conference.

Ujiri says feelings are still raw coming out of the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla., where the defending-champion Raptors lost to the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal last Friday.

The Raptors executive said his priority since then has been taking care of his leadership team, including head coach Nick Nurse.

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Earlier this week, the Raptors signed Nurse to a multi-year extension.

Nurse’s contract also was due to run out after next season.

Ujiri said the team is close to signing general manager Bobby Webster to a contract extension.

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In free agency, Ujiri said Raptors guard Fred VanVleet is “a big-time priority.”

Ujiri also has been involved in a legal dispute with a law enforcement officer following a confrontation at last year’s NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif.

As part of a countersuit filed by Ujiri’s team, a video came out showing Alameda County sheriff’s deputy Alan Strickland shoving the Raptors executive first.

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None of the allegations have been proven in court.

“This was very hard for me … when this video came out, I didn’t sleep for a few days … I really struggled in the bubble, thinking of all of this,” Ujiri said.

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