Pop that collar Hedo Turkoglu. You are about to be 50 million richer and your new paycheck just might have Paul Allen’s signature on it. According to multiple sources—here and here—the Blazers are making a “strong push” for a man nicknamed The Michael Jordan of Turkey. (Ironically, I’ve been called “The Engin Atsür of America” before, but I think that’s an insult.)
Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, told the Oregonian that the Blazers were the first team to call. “They were enthusiastic and well received by us,” Babby said. “We are engaged in the process. We will see where it takes us in the next couple of days and take it from there.”
Lon Babby? More like Lon Blabby? Am I right? Huh?
Anyway, that means that the Blazers waited mere minutes—the free agency kickoff was last night at 9pm (PST), right after Law & Order—before fumbling for the checkbook and Hedo’s digits. But, wait, isn’t Turkoglu a decent player who just had an amazing postseason? Yes, same guy. So the idea of padding the bank account of a streaky player on the wrong end of 30 seems pretty risky. While Turkoglu is best known as a clutch shooter, his 41% from the field last season would rank behind almost every single Portland player. But it is a higher percentage than what Michael Ruffin shot, so that is probably worth 50 million. Hmm, maybe 49 million?
Cross your fingers that this is some sort of bluff by Kevin Pritchard—or one by Turkoglu’s camp in order to drive up his already inflated value—but we won’t find out until few days (July 8th), when the free agent signing period officially begins.
9:35 am Update from ESPN’s Marc Stein:
“Hedo Turkoglu having dinner with Nate McMillan tonight. Hedo’s then touring Portland on Thursday.”
OMG, where are they going to have dinner? Is he going to think the weather is always like this? Dude, it totally rains here all the time. Please stay in Orlando.
3 years, $30 million. No more. I like Hedo and what he brings, but I can’t justify more/longer when he’s clearly going to be declining every year from here on out.
Plus, the Blazers have to keep a little in that checkbook for the coming resignings of Aldridge and Roy.
Smoke screen. Smoke screen. Smoke screen. If I keep saying it, it’ll totally come true, right? RIGHT?!
Lon Blabby rules! Blabbers unite!
I like Turk for Portland. I think he fits well, he is the best free agent option for Portland, and this is the only time we are going to have the opportunity to sign a free agent. He is a big upgrade at the small forward position. We get veteran, playoff experience. Another ball handler/facilitator, another shooter to spread the floor will help a lot. If the price tag bothers you, just remember Paul Allen has more money than God, so its okay.
I do not approve.
So now rumor is that it might come at the cost of Rudy? That he’s pitching a fit over the Hedo talk and might skip off the Europe.
The Rudy hatin’ on Hedo rumor: http://bit.ly/n7GTK
Lame sounding move by Portland. Hoping that this doesn’t happen. Particularly not at the expense of Rudy, who could really continue to develop over the next couple of years.