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Report: Turkoglu won’t join Blazers
By The Associated Press
Saturday, July 04, 2009 | No comments posted.
PORTLAND — Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed Friday.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.
Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, didn’t immediately return calls or e-mails.
The 6-foot-10 forward who helped the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals arrived in Portland on Thursday to meet Blazers executives and tour the city. He was scheduled to leave on Saturday.
He 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 in the final year of his $36 million, six-year deal with Orlando. He averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last season.
Earlier Friday, there were reports that Turkoglu had agreed in principle with the Blazers.
Turkoglu, from Turkey, is a nine-year NBA veteran. He played for Sacramento and San Antonio before signing with Orlando as a free agent in 2004.
This season he often ran Orlando’s offense and created matchup problems for the Celtics and Cavaliers in the playoffs. Against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the finals, Turkoglu averaged 18 points.
He was said to be seeking a long-term deal worth at least $10 million annually. Toronto had also expressed interest in him.
The Blazers are looking to bolster a team that won 54 games last season and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.
Anchored by All-Star guard Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers were the second-youngest team in the NBA.
Celtics pursue Wallace
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics have offered forward Rasheed Wallace a contract as part of a major push to land the coveted forward, according to a published report on Friday.
The Boston Globe reports the Celtics offered Wallace a deal during a three-hour meeting in Detroit on Thursday. Celtics stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce joined general manager Danny Ainge and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck at the meeting.
Wallace’s agent, Bill Strickland, told the Globe in a text message that it was a “very good meeting; some contractual terms discussed, nothing agreed to.”
He also said Wallace will be meeting with other teams next week. Charlotte, Cleveland, Orlando and San Antonio are said to be possible suitors.
The 35-year-old Wallace can play the low post and also has exceptional shooting range. He averaged 12 points per game for Detroit last year, before falling to 6.5 points per game in the first round of the playoffs as Detroit was swept in four games by Cleveland.
Wallace earned $13.68 million last season as he finished up a five-year contract with Detroit. Teams pursuing Wallace now would be offering the midlevel exception, worth between $5.6 million and $5.8 million.
Wallace, a starter most of his career, would likely play a complementary role in Boston. The Celtics are hoping they can lure him by offering a shot at a title. Wallace is also close to Garnett.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.
Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, didn’t immediately return calls or e-mails.
The 6-foot-10 forward who helped the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals arrived in Portland on Thursday to meet Blazers executives and tour the city. He was scheduled to leave on Saturday.
He 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 in the final year of his $36 million, six-year deal with Orlando. He averaged 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last season.
Earlier Friday, there were reports that Turkoglu had agreed in principle with the Blazers.
Turkoglu, from Turkey, is a nine-year NBA veteran. He played for Sacramento and San Antonio before signing with Orlando as a free agent in 2004.
This season he often ran Orlando’s offense and created matchup problems for the Celtics and Cavaliers in the playoffs. Against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the finals, Turkoglu averaged 18 points.
He was said to be seeking a long-term deal worth at least $10 million annually. Toronto had also expressed interest in him.
The Blazers are looking to bolster a team that won 54 games last season and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.
Anchored by All-Star guard Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers were the second-youngest team in the NBA.
Celtics pursue Wallace
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics have offered forward Rasheed Wallace a contract as part of a major push to land the coveted forward, according to a published report on Friday.
The Boston Globe reports the Celtics offered Wallace a deal during a three-hour meeting in Detroit on Thursday. Celtics stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce joined general manager Danny Ainge and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck at the meeting.
Wallace’s agent, Bill Strickland, told the Globe in a text message that it was a “very good meeting; some contractual terms discussed, nothing agreed to.”
He also said Wallace will be meeting with other teams next week. Charlotte, Cleveland, Orlando and San Antonio are said to be possible suitors.
The 35-year-old Wallace can play the low post and also has exceptional shooting range. He averaged 12 points per game for Detroit last year, before falling to 6.5 points per game in the first round of the playoffs as Detroit was swept in four games by Cleveland.
Wallace earned $13.68 million last season as he finished up a five-year contract with Detroit. Teams pursuing Wallace now would be offering the midlevel exception, worth between $5.6 million and $5.8 million.
Wallace, a starter most of his career, would likely play a complementary role in Boston. The Celtics are hoping they can lure him by offering a shot at a title. Wallace is also close to Garnett.
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