Raps GM noncommittal about Casey's status: 'We're going to evaluate everything'

Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri addressed the media in his end-of-season presser on Tuesday, and, as might have been expected, he took a tactful approach to the slew of questions his team is set to face in the months ahead. 

"It's been a disappointing end for us," Ujiri said (perhaps understating things) of the Raptors' epic playoff collapse against the Washington Wizards. "It's not acceptable. ... We owe our fans a little bit better."

As to whether that purportedly unacceptable result will breed the sweeping personnel changes that many believe it will (or should), Ujiri gave nothing away. 

"We're going to evaluate everything," he said, addressing a question about the future of head coach Dwane Casey. He later added: "The base is very good for us and he's a big part of our base."

Casey just completed the first year of a three-year deal, though only the first two are guaranteed. Despite the Raptors' disappointing finish, and despite the fact that Casey made his rep as a defensive guru but his team just finished 23rd in defensive efficiency, ESPN's Marc Stein reported Monday that early indications point to the Raptors keeping their coach aboard. 

Ujiri seemed to imply as much when he was asked about Casey's relationship with sporadically used forward James Johnson, who Casey called "probably the most talented player on our roster," after playing him 12 total minutes in the playoffs. 

"As time goes on, Dwane is going to build trust in James," Ujiri said.  

As to what kind of plans he had for the team's roster, the diplomatic GM once again kept things on an even keel. 

"There's no knee-jerk reaction here," he said. "We're going to be patient." 

"I think this is a process," he added. "The process ... you sometimes get kicked in the face. We got kicked in the face."