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.