Blazers Say Goodbye To Plumlee

Mason Plumlee, who arrived in Portland to join the Trail Blazers in a draft night trade in June, 2015 and quickly turned into a favorite of both fans and his teammates, has been traded to the Denver Nuggets.

The Blazers sent him to Denver along with cash considerations and second-round pick on 2018 in exchange for center Jusuf Nurkic and a first-round pick in this year's draft.

Portland will now have three first-round picks this year.

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"We are pleased to add a young center with Jusuf’s talent and potential to our roster and excited by the prospect of three first round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft," said Portland's President of Basketball Operations, Neil Olshey.

"We also want to thank Mason for his many contributions to the organization these past two seasons. His presence will be missed and we wish him all the best for the future."

Plumlee took to Facebook to express gratitude for his time in Portland.

"My appreciation and admiration for Portland is forever," he wrote. "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."

Plumlee, who started all 136 of his games with Portland over the past two seasons, wrote that in Portland he met "talented, creative, caring people who welcomed me into their community and inspired me every day.

"I will always treasure our time together."

He closed out his note with an ironic twist.

The day before the trade he had posted to Instagram a picture of what he calls "his favorite billboard in Portland."

It reads "LONG LIVE THE WILDCARDS, MISFITS & DABBLERS" and hangs by the Burnside Skate Park. It 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."

In the 7-foot tall Nurkic, the Blazers get a center who has averaged 7.5 points (45.8% FG), 5.9 rebounds and 1.06 blocked shots in 139 career games (59 starts) over three NBA seasons with the Nuggets.

The team says that the 22-year-old is shooting a career-best 50.7% (8.0 ppg), and has scored in double figures 17 times in 45 games (29 starts) this season.

Nurkic was originally selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft, before being sent to Denver in a draft night deal.

Photo Justin Tucker/Portland Trail Blazers