Hedo Turkoglu Agrees on Five-Year $53 Million Deal with Toronto Raptors

According to a report by ESPN writer Chris Sheridan, Hedo Turkoglu agreed to a contract with the Toronto Raptors on July 4, 2009. This agreement comes just days after Turkoglu had verbally agreed on a five-year, $50 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. With the Raptors, Turkoglu will be paid $53 million dollars over five years. The Raptors decided to pull the trigger after making space by deciding not to re-sign forward Shawn Marion (19.2 million), along with guards Anthony Parker (9.1 million) and Carlos Delfino (5.6 million).

It was reported on Friday, July 3 by ESPN that Turkoglu had verbally agreed to a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. Turkoglu had dinner with Blazers coach Nate McMillan on Wednesday night, and it seemed Turkoglu was destined to don the Blazer jersey next season.

However, Turkoglu changed his mind soon after, and agreed to a deal with the Raptors. According to NBA rules, Turkoglu will not be allowed to officially sign a contract until July 8.

Rudy Fernandez, guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, was very unpleased with the possibility of Turkoglu joining the Trail Blazers. A report by ESPN stated that Fernandez believed a player like Turkoglu - someone who demands the ball - would take away touches from the Spanish international. Fernandez went as far as threatening to sign with a European team.

However, Fernandez still has a year left on his rookie contract, with Portland having the option to keep him on the team for a third and/or fourth season. This prevents Fernandez from signing a deal with Real Madrid or FC Barcelona, a few of the teams following Fernandez.

Turkoglu averaged just less than 17 points per game last season for the Orlando Magic. Turkoglu also average five rebounds and five assists. Turkoglu brings a versatile skill set to the Raptors. In the 2009 playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Turkoglu, along with teammate Rashard Lewis, were able to use their large frames to create mismatch nightmares. At 6 feet 10 inches, Turkoglu is able to split time at both forward positions, and is able to bring the ball up the court when called upon.

In the 2000 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings selected Turkoglu with the 16th overall pick. He spent three seasons before being traded in the 2003 off-season to the San Antonio Spurs. Turkoglu spent a single season in San Antonio, becoming a free agent in 2004. Turkoglu signed a six-year $36 million deal with the Orlando Magic.

After the 2007-08 season, Turkoglu was award as the NBA's Most Improved Player. Turkoglu averaged 6.2 more points per game, as well as 1.7 rebounds and 1.8 more assists per game. Turkoglu's consistency, as well as his ability to show up in clutch situations earned him the ability to cash in on a big contract with the Toronto Raptors.

Although Turkolgu is a highly-skilled player that can do just about anything you can ask for, he doesn't fit well with the Raptors. Turkoglu may be a decent defender, but by comparison Shawn Marion is a much better defender. Turkoglu will most likely line up at small forward, with Chris Bosh at the four and Andrea Bargnani starting at center. The trio together are very weak defensively and will have trouble defending players such as Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard in the paint.

Portland would have made much more sense for Turkoglu. His experience would be invaluable to the young Blazer team. Rudy Fernandez was wrong when he thought a player like Turkoglu could take away from his playing time. If you look at the other possibilities, Fernandez could have in fact received more playing time. For instance, Turkoglu is used to playing the "point-forward" position (a forward who brings the ball up the court). This would allow Turkoglu to split time as a point forward and have Rudy Fernandez log many minutes at one of the guard positions.

ESPN reported that Turkoglu chose Toronto because the city was more international and cosmopolitan, as well as the large Turkish population. Metronews.ca reported that Turkoglu's wife also played a role in his decision, noting the aforementioned reason as the engine behind agreeing to a deal with Toronto rather than Portland.

The projected starting lineup for the Raptors: Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan, Turkoglu, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani.

Sources
Chris Sheridan Sources: Turkoglu headed to Toronto ESPN.com
Chris Sheridan Upset Fernandez has European suitors ESPN.com
AP Reports: Orlando forward Hedo Turkoglu headed to Toronto Raptors metronews.ca