Ujiri thankful for 'incredible' Raptors stint, mum on next steps

Masai Ujiri expressed gratitude for his standout stint with the Toronto Raptors, showing love for the team he called home for over a decade.

"It's been 12 incredible years with the Toronto Raptors, and I am so grateful and thankful for the opportunity," Ujiri said Thursday on "Good Morning America." "Fans, my family, colleagues, coaches, players, the owners, everybody has been incredible to me. Toronto, I love you, and it's a great pride and journey in my life. It's time, and great things come to an end."

The Raptors parted ways with Ujiri - their vice chairman and president - June 27 after 13 seasons together. The 2013 NBA Executive of the Year helped turn the franchise around, building a Toronto team that claimed its first NBA title in 2019. The Raptors hadn't won a playoff series since 2001 before Ujiri took over.

The 54-year-old spent three seasons as the Denver Nuggets' general manager before joining the Raptors. He said he's unsure what's next for his career as an NBA executive.

"Now it's day-to-day with the family," Ujiri added. "It's a time to really look at it from the top, and I know there are great things coming."

The Raptors have already begun looking for a new team president. Toronto extended general manager Bobby Webster the same day as Ujiri's dismissal.