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It's official: Raptors land Turkoglu
The Toronto Raptors confirmed their acquisition of coveted free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu on Thursday.
Financial details were not released, but it's believed Turkoglu has signed a five-year deal worth $50 million US.
Several media outlets reported last week that Turkoglu, fresh off a run to the NBA final with the Orlando Magic, had been negotiating with the Raptors.
Thursday's announcment means one of the most sought-after free agents this off-season is landing in Toronto, making his signing a huge coup for the Raptors.
The Turkish-born Turkoglu turned a lot of heads during Orlando's playoff run.
He averaged 18 points, 4.6 rebounds and shot 43.8 per cent from three-point land in the NBA final against the Los Angeles Lakers, though the Magic fell in five games.
The six-foot-10 forward averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and shot 35.6 per cent from three-point range in the regular season. Over his career he has averaged 12.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and 38.5 per cent from behind the arc.
Earlier this month Turkoglu opted out of the final season of his contract with Orlando, worth $7.3 million US a year, as the Magic traded for veteran Vince Carter to replace him. Toronto was keen to land him, along with several other teams.
But it didn't look like the Raptors would get their man various news outlets were reporting that Turkoglu was in Portland last Friday and had a verbal agreement to sign with the Trail Blazers. However, the deal fell apart hours later.
Toronto then swept in for a late bid to grab Turkoglu, who favoured that move because he's reportedly drawn to the city's cosmopolitan and multicultural flair.
The big Turk has spent nine seasons in the NBA, splitting time among Sacramento, San Antonio and Orlando. He was selected in the first round, 16th overall, by the Kings in the 2000 draft.
By signing Turkoglu, the Raptors are now forced to clear a lot of cap space - meaning it's likely Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino won't be in Toronto uniforms next season.
All three players are free agents, and the Raptors have until Tuesday to renounce their rights to them.
Toronto president and general manager Bryan Colangelo had been keen on the big Turk for a while. He tried hard to sign Turkoglu back in 2004 while he was in the front office of the Phoenix Suns.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2009/...tors-turk.html
The Toronto Raptors confirmed their acquisition of coveted free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu on Thursday.
Financial details were not released, but it's believed Turkoglu has signed a five-year deal worth $50 million US.
Several media outlets reported last week that Turkoglu, fresh off a run to the NBA final with the Orlando Magic, had been negotiating with the Raptors.
Thursday's announcment means one of the most sought-after free agents this off-season is landing in Toronto, making his signing a huge coup for the Raptors.
The Turkish-born Turkoglu turned a lot of heads during Orlando's playoff run.
He averaged 18 points, 4.6 rebounds and shot 43.8 per cent from three-point land in the NBA final against the Los Angeles Lakers, though the Magic fell in five games.
The six-foot-10 forward averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and shot 35.6 per cent from three-point range in the regular season. Over his career he has averaged 12.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and 38.5 per cent from behind the arc.
Earlier this month Turkoglu opted out of the final season of his contract with Orlando, worth $7.3 million US a year, as the Magic traded for veteran Vince Carter to replace him. Toronto was keen to land him, along with several other teams.
But it didn't look like the Raptors would get their man various news outlets were reporting that Turkoglu was in Portland last Friday and had a verbal agreement to sign with the Trail Blazers. However, the deal fell apart hours later.
Toronto then swept in for a late bid to grab Turkoglu, who favoured that move because he's reportedly drawn to the city's cosmopolitan and multicultural flair.
The big Turk has spent nine seasons in the NBA, splitting time among Sacramento, San Antonio and Orlando. He was selected in the first round, 16th overall, by the Kings in the 2000 draft.
By signing Turkoglu, the Raptors are now forced to clear a lot of cap space - meaning it's likely Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino won't be in Toronto uniforms next season.
All three players are free agents, and the Raptors have until Tuesday to renounce their rights to them.
Toronto president and general manager Bryan Colangelo had been keen on the big Turk for a while. He tried hard to sign Turkoglu back in 2004 while he was in the front office of the Phoenix Suns.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2009/...tors-turk.html
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