While the Portland Trail Blazers hosted Hedo Turkoglu for an elaborate free-agent visit Thursday, the team that could spoil the party was still plotting.
As of early Friday, the Toronto Raptors had yet to decide whether to trump the Blazers with an offer for the 30-year-old forward. Portland is offering a five-year deal for approximately $50 million. Toronto, which is believed to be the preferred choice of Turkoglu's wife, could beat that by about $800,000 per year once it clears cap space through trades or by renouncing its rights to free agents Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker, and Carlos Delfino.
The Cavaliers, who lost out on Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza, called the Raptors Thursday to inquire about a sign-and-trade for Parker. Cleveland did not ask about Marion, a person familiar with the situation said. Since the inquiry came from Cleveland, the discussions did not seem to be a precursor to a play for Turkoglu.
One Western Conference executive said he would be "shocked" if Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo didn't make Turkoglu an offer. The person believed that Lon Babby, Turkoglu's agent, would wait until Colangelo was able to create the cap space necessary for the offer before agreeing with Portland. But a high-level coaching source familiar with the situation predicted that Turkoglu would wind up in Portland, saying Toronto's involvement was "just talk."
The Raptors were weighing whether they'd be better off losing Marion, Parker and Delfino and adding Turkoglu or retaining one or more of their free agents and pursuing a mid-level signing. Toronto has expressed strong interest in Nuggets free agent Linas Kleiza, a restricted free agent, as an alternative to Turkoglu.
Turkoglu Update
Posted on: July 3, 2009 1:58 am
Edited on: July 3, 2009 2:33 am
Score: 188
Comments Add a Comment
"Z"
Reputation: 88Level: All-Star Since: Jun 10, 2008 |
Posted on: July 3, 2009 12:38 pm
Score: -30
Turkoglu UpdateHis playoff performance was not that good,what game was you watching because it wasn't the magic,he came up big in every series,clutch shot after clutch shot,if it wasn't for a missed layup at the end of one game some big turn overs in a couple more that could have been a different series,and I think the magic made a big mistake trading lee and alston for carter,they should have kept the team they had and signed turk.And as for the lakers if it wasn't for ariza they wouln't have even beaten the nuggets,I'm glad he left the lakers,I wish he would have went to the spurs or cavs,but it won't matter if the spurs stay healthy the lakers will not reapeet,the lakers would not have won shit without ariza,and how do they reward him by letting him go and sign the nutty fruitcake artest.
|
|
im_wondering
Reputation: 87 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 28, 2008 |
Posted on: July 3, 2009 10:29 am
Score: 113
Turkoglu UpdateTurk don't look that good with Howard & Lewis; not many centers with Howard skills & upside. Lewis at PF taking a teams other big man out of the paint with his shooting skill for Turk to drive off Howard pick. Are they really going to pay 10 mil a year for a career 13 points per game scorer? Good luck buyer!
|
|
Big Brad Level: Amateur Since: Jul 3, 2009 |
Posted on: July 3, 2009 3:10 am
Score: 122
This comment has been removed.
Post Deleted by Administrator |
acegarcia007
Reputation: 59Level: Pro Since: Dec 4, 2008 |
Posted on: July 3, 2009 2:36 am
Score: 73
Turkoglu UpdateReally all this fuss over Turkoglu at 30 his best days are behind him and his playoff performances was not that good. Portland should keep the cap space they still have a young Martell Webster returning this year with far more upside.
|
Subscribe to this blog
