Raptors confirm acquisition of Turkoglu
July 9, 2009
TORONTO (AP)—The Toronto Raptors confirmed their acquisition of forward HedoTurkoglu(notes) on Thursday, perhaps the most significant free agent addition in theteam’s history.
The 6-foot-10 forward was one of the most coveted free agents available,coming off a season in which he helped the Orlando Magic reach the NBA finals.
The nine-year NBA veteran appeared poised to sign with the Portland TrailBlazers last Friday before Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo swooped inand nabbed the Turkish forward.
Turkoglu’s agent Lon Babby said the player and his wife Banu were intriguedby Toronto’s ethnic diversity, including a large Turkish community.
Turkoglu opted out of his contract in Orlando when the team acquired VinceCarter(notes) from New Jersey. Turkoglu was due $7.3 million next season, the finalyear of a $36-million, six-year deal with the Magic.
He averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last season, and has averaged 12.3points and 4.2 rebounds over his career, which included stints with Sacramentoand San Antonio before he signed with Orlando as a free agent in 2004.
Turkoglu is a 38.5 percent shooter from 3-point range.
He’ll join a team that already has a distinctly international flavor, withJose Calderon(notes) of Spain, Croatia native Roko Ukic(notes), and Italian centre AndreaBargnani(notes), who agreed to a five-year contract extension Wednesday.
Its game time — sign up for Fantasy Football 09 today!