Warren2ThaG Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 No doubt: Blazers want Turkoglu"The Trail Blazers are putting on a full-court press in their attempt to lure free agent forward Hedo Turkoglu to Portland. Coach Nate McMillan had dinner with Turkoglu in Orlando on Wednesday night, and on Thursday Turkoglu and his agent, Lon Babby, will arrive in Portland to meet with Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard and tour the team's facilities. McMillan could not comment on his dinner with Turkoglu, citing league rules that allow only one team member to speak about a free agent. Earlier in the day, however, a team source said the Blazers' interest in Turkoglu is serious and designed to provide more help for team stars Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. Both Roy and Aldridge were suffocated with double teams in the Blazers' first-round playoff exit to Houston, and the team believes Turkoglu's superb ball handling and ability to execute the pick-and-roll will present a formidable triangle. Plus, the source said Turkoglu's basketball intelligence is "off the charts." The Blazers' courtship comes as two Eastern Conference teams are making their push to attract the sharp-shooting 6-foot-10 forward. Sources say Toronto is preparing an offer of five years and $60 million for Turkoglu. Meanwhile, Dwight Howard, the star of his former team -- Orlando -- made repeated calls to Turkoglu on Tuesday night and Wednesday to express his desire for him to re-sign with the Magic. Turkoglu opted out of his contract with Orlando, forgoing $7.3 million this season. However, in order for Toronto to clear enough room to make such an offer, it would have to renounce the rights of five players -- Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino, Patrick O'Bryant and Quincy Douby. When the league determines its salary cap on July 8, the Blazers expect to be one of five teams under the cap, with as much as $9.7 million to offer Turkoglu for the first season. It is believed the Blazers are prepared to offer five years and $50 million."----http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/07/turkoglu_coming_to_portland_fo.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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