Mason Plumlee Thanks Portland Upon Departure

Former Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee was suddenly traded to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday morning, to the shock and sadness of his teammates. Plumlee spent the better part of two seasons in Portland, where he established lasting bonds with them and the rest of the Portland community, so the split was not easy for him. That’s the toughest part of the business. But amidst all the scramble of moving his life to another city, Plumlee made sure the fans knew how much he appreciates them in a parting Facebook post, which reads as follows:

The last 24 hours have been a blur, but such is life in the NBA. One minute you’re in Portland, the next you’re in Denver. New city, new teammates, new coach, new places to explore and new people to meet. It all happens incredibly fast, there’s little time to pause and reflect.

But even if time is short, my appreciation and admiration for Portland is forever. Over the last two seasons, I’ve been fortunate to be part of a world-class organization with incredible teammates and coaches and some of the most passionate and supportive basketball fans in the NBA. It was in Portland that I had the opportunity to establish myself as a starter in this league and grow as a player and a person. It was in Portland that I met talented, creative, caring people who welcomed me into their community and inspired me every day.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who made my time in the Rose City such a special and meaningful experience. I will always treasure our time together.

Kind of ironic, but yesterday I posted a picture on Instagram in front of my favorite billboard in Portland that reads “LONG LIVE THE WILDCARDS, MISFITS & DABBLERS.” The billboard is right next to the Burnside Skate Park, which was originally built without permission by skateboarders in a part of town that’s gritty, but up and coming -- filled with young, hungry people who aren’t afraid to take risks and embrace new challenges.

That’s the spirit I carry with me to Denver and it will continue to drive and motivate me throughout my career. I can’t wait to get started with the Nuggets and sincerely look forward to the next step in my journey.

Thanks to everyone for your continued support.

We wish Plumlee the best of luck in Denver, will be tracking his career for years to come, and look forward to his return to the Moda Center on March 28. Thank you for your contributions to this team and this culture, Plumlee.