Late Friday night, the Toronto Raptors reached an agreement with Orlando Magic free agent Hedo Turkoglu on a five-year deal, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The Raptors’ signing shuts the door on talks that the 6-10 forward was on his way to the Portland Trail Blazers, as was being reported by a number of media sources.
But Turkoglu broke off negotiations with Portland late in the evening, choosing instead to negotiate with Toronto. The Raptors can offer a five-year deal beginning at about $10 million US a year, with annual raises bringing the contract’s maximum total to about $56 million. The deal cannot officially be signed until next Wednesday, when the league sets its salary cap for next season.
Turkoglu helped Orlando to the NBA finals last season. On Friday, a person close to the Trail Blazers confirmed that Turkoglu ended contract talks with them.
Turkoglu opted out of his Orlando contract last week when the team acquired Vince Carter from New Jersey. Turkoglu was due $7.3 million next season, the final year of his $36 million, six-year deal with Orlando. He averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last season.
Turkoglu spent his first three seasons with the Sacramento Kings before joining the San Antonio Spurs for one year. The last five seasons, he’s been with the Magic.
For his career, he’s averaging 12.3 points and 4.2 rebounds.
He was a first-round pick of Sacramento’s in 2000.
